Will mankind reach Mars?

[MoonRocker]

a) What sort of technical advances will be required to reach Mars?
b) How long do you think it will be before the first man on Mars and subsequent safe return?
c) What are the benefits to mankind of working towards this goal?

[DTCwordfan]

I look forward to tasting if their chocolate bars taste the same as ours.

[MarkRae]

a) For a start, a much faster ship or a much bigger one - it's a nine-month trip at current speeds.

b) By 2050.

c) Well, the sun is eventually going to expand and swallow up Mercury, Venus and the Earth, so we have about 3 billion years or so to figure out how to terraform Mars...

[jno]

nine months isn't much - it took the Mayflower two months just to reach America, not counting a month sitting round England waiting for the right weather.

The astronauts of today have no patience.

[deggers316]

cooped up in a relatively small metal cylinder for 9 months with about four other guys, phew!
i know there suppose to be psychologically trained for this "trip" but hey ho one wrong word, especially if your only one month one your way ... WHAT!

[jno]

Prozac - interplanetary strength

[venator]

Mankind has reached Mars and several other planets - all the aliens are here http://www.theanswerb.../Question1143188.html

[MarkRae]

^^ hence "or a much bigger one."

[venator]

It's obvious - tell the astronuts they're on Big Brother and they'll be OK

[ChuckFickens]

hence "or a much bigger one."

Or way way to put the passengers to sleep for the journey.

[MarkRae]

Stasis is great in sci-fi, but I think we're along way away from that yet...

[FredPuli43]

Do you mind, Venator? That's our religion you're insulting ! (Though, I must say, I feel a bit green on here myself some days)

[ChuckFickens]

9 months wouldn't need stasis in the sci-fi sense though (i.e. no ageing). Muscle deterioration would be the biggest problem to deal with.

[MoonRocker]

Well thanks to those that have touched on the subject. I must say I joined this site today having observed a bit first and I was pretty sure that science was one of the areas where you could have a sensible discussion on the subject matter. Is this question in some way outside the parameters for this section? For future reference can I expect a smattering of silliness generally here? Perhaps the more experienced among you can enlighten me, thanks.

[MarkRae]

Welcome to AB, by the way - an interesting first post.

> For future reference can I expect a smattering of silliness generally here?

Generally speaking, most of the shining wits confine themselves to ChatterBank, so you can usually be guaranteed at least a serious if not always sensible discussion in other sections. Steer clear from Jokes, though - nothing of interest lies therein.

As methyl hints, the problem with the wags is that, almost without exception, they are many times funnier in their own minds than is healthy or is borne out in reality...

[MoonRocker]

Many thanks, I'm a science nut really and just enjoy thinking about the big questions and other peoples ideas and view often get me thinking in new directions.

[MarkRae]

It's an interesting subject. Barring accidents, given the ongoing medical advancement I'm probably about half way through my life and I often wonder what technological miracles I'll see in my remaining time.

[DTCwordfan]

And there's a degree of dismissive intellectual arrogance on the site, which one must also discount, MoonRocker.......

Hard to say per your question, but I take the attitude that there may well be some major breakthroughs in material/energy science that we are on the cusp of; such as CERN and the Illinois project....and that could lead to some major new opportunities in the next 30 years that might see your aspirations met - or close to realisation.