With NASA’s return-to-the-Moon program once again being delayed, and budgets on the Aries launch system ripe for slashing, what does this mean for ventures beyond the Moon - to the red planet Mars?
Cutbacks are an old story, going back to the Apollo days. In a democracy, there are always good reasons to cut expensive sci-tech, especially when spending on various down-home issues seems a better bet for winning the next election. The US went to the Moon largely because of competition with the Soviet Union. Once the race had been won, churning out Saturns on a production line became an unaffordable ‘luxury’.
It’s a huge pity for the US, both politically and culturally - had those Saturns kept flying, the Moon could have been the 51st state by now. Instead, it’s likely as not that other countries will beat the US back there, even when there’s a four-decade technical lead thrown in.
As for Mars, well at least one competitor has the long-term vision, coupled with the political drive to mount a crewed mission, and that’s China. The East’s rising star sees space as a primary tool, not only for underlining political leadership, but also for honing the tools of technical development, with China as trailblazer.
So, whose flag will be on that Mars base, come 2030? Starcruzer doesn’t normally take bets, but for the time being our money is placed on a rice and noodles menu in the Olympus Mons takeaway restaurant.
Mars base model by Mat Irvine
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