How Long Does it Take to Travel to Mars?
Recently, all eyes are focused on Mars in anticipation of several Mars missions that have sent robots to its surface and future astronauts hoping to put humans there for the first time. If you’re considering making a trip there yourself, it is essential that you understand the best travel times possible.
When considering whether to launch from Mars or Earth, several factors come into play: the distance between them, how long a spacecraft can escape gravity’s pull and where on Mars’ orbit you launch from. Furthermore, the technology of your craft and how much fuel it is capable of carrying will also play a role.
When sending a spacecraft from Earth to Mars, engineers calculate the optimal positions where both planets should be in their orbits around the sun in order to use as little fuel and get there quickly. It’s like throwing a dart at an moving target and calculating its optimal trajectory for success.
At perihelion, when Earth and Mars are closest to each other, it takes 26 months to travel between them. Once in this position, you must decelerate and slow down your spacecraft before entering orbit around Mars so that it does not overshoot.
Peck explains that an elliptical orbit is the most fuel-efficient route for trips from Earth to Mars, though it’s also the longest. Furthermore, a spacecraft’s size and weight influence its speed in an orbit; therefore, having both large enough craft as well as powerful rockets for an extended journey is essential.
Crewed missions to Mars must be both safe and efficient. They would need to transport food, water, oxygen and other supplies while being able to withstand the extreme temperatures and radiation found in Mars’ atmosphere.
One of the most challenging aspects of manned space flight is being separated from Earth for extended periods. This can have an emotional toll on astronauts, especially if they don’t have family or friends back home to talk to.
Another issue facing astronauts is a lack of oxygen-rich air on board, which could lead to respiratory problems or death. Even if there’s enough oxygen on board, there’s no assurance that it will provide a breathable supply for crew members.
To address these challenges, scientists are developing technologies that keep food shelves stable and the air breathable. Additionally, they’re researching how to sterilize spacecraft so it doesn’t harbor any dangerous bugs or bacteria.
Overall, taking a trip to Mars would be an incredible adventure of a lifetime – but it won’t be without some challenges. But with proper preparation and some luck, you could be the first person to explore all that Mars has to offer!
