As NASA faces a critical decision on the direction of its upcoming space missions, the US must weigh the priorities between lunar and Martian exploration. The Artemis program, aimed at returning humans to the moon, is under scrutiny with the new administration’s focus shifting towards Mars colonization.
The US Faces a Crucial Decision: Moon or Mars?
The Artemis program is a NASA mission aimed at returning humans to the lunar surface by 2024.
The program's primary objective 'is to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon, with plans for a manned mission to Mars in the near future.'.
Key components of the Artemis program include the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft.
The SLS will provide the necessary propulsion for the mission, while the Orion spacecraft will carry astronauts to the lunar surface.
NASA aims to conduct regular missions to the Moon under the Artemis program, paving the way for further space exploration.
The Artemis program has been NASA‘s best chance to return humans to the moon since the ‘Apollo era.’ However, with the new US administration taking guidance from tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who is focused on Mars colonization, will they abandon or push back lunar missions?
A History of Delayed Lunar Missions
Plans to send humans back to the moon have been in place since 2004, but each incoming president has changed the name and scope of the mission. The ‘Artemis program‘ is the latest incarnation, with a successful test flight in 2022. However, the crewed mission, Artemis-2, is not scheduled for launch until 2026.
Private Companies and International Competition
SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk in 2002, is a private aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company.
With the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars, SpaceX has developed several advanced rockets, including the Falcon 9 and 'Falcon Heavy'.
The company has also made history with numerous successful launches, including the first privately funded liquid-fueled rocket to reach orbit in 2008.
Meanwhile, private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are making rapid progress towards lunar missions. The ‘Indian Space Agency‘s Chandrayan-3’ successfully landed on the moon in 2023 with a low budget, while China has had multiple successful landers. Russia, the European Space Agency, and other private companies are also planning lunar missions.
Implications for Mars Exploration
NASA's Mariner 4 spacecraft was the first to fly by Mars in 1964, providing the first close-up images of the planet.
Since then, numerous robotic missions have been sent to explore Mars, including the Viking missions (1975), 'Mars Pathfinder' (1996), and 'Curiosity Rover' (2012).
These missions have greatly expanded our knowledge of Martian geology, climate, and potential habitability.
The European Space Agency's 'Schiaparelli lander' and NASA's 'InSight Lander' (2018) have also contributed to our understanding of the planet.
So, would turning to Martian exploration be a sensible move instead of heading for the moon? It would likely mean abandoning the ‘Lunar Gateway project,’ a space station in orbit around the moon where astronauts could live. However, this would not be a significant setback, as the Lunar Gateway is not planned until 2027.
The Challenges of Reaching Mars
Reaching Mars is a vastly more complex and energy-intensive task than going to the moon. The optimal fuel route involves arriving when the two planets are roughly on opposite sides of the sun, which happens every 18 months. The journey time of nine months means any problems onboard will need to be fixed by the crew, with no rescue option.
The Role of the Lunar Gateway
The Lunar Gateway would come in handy for Mars missions, allowing astronauts to take off from the moon and head to Mars from there. This would split the energy requirements up, making it possible to use slower but more efficient propulsion methods for part of the journey.
Critical Decisions Ahead
NASA faces a critical decision: either continue with the Artemis program and the Lunar Gateway or aim for Mars and be primarily dependent on Musk. Funding both options would likely mean that neither ever happens. The timelines involved are crucial, with SpaceX aiming to send humans to Mars in 2028.
The Risk of Prioritizing Mars
Prioritizing Mars exploration over the Lunar Gateway may indeed get us to Mars quicker, but it will be a risky decision. If the US pulls out of plans to explore the moon, other nations can expand their presence in those areas more easily, potentially giving them an easier route to launch to Mars.
The Challenges and Opportunities on Mars
The conditions on Mars are slightly more favorable for human presence than the moon, with at least some atmospheric pressure and the potential for mining water. However, it has no potential for terraforming, making it a challenging environment for humans to live in long-term.
