...I doubt it.
In fact, I'll bet a case of Geritol that when I turn 70 just before 2040, humans will not have landed on Mars.
All the trend lines are going the wrong way:
-- government budgets getting tighter (China will be facing a rapidly aging population too)
-- no compelling political reason to go (and I don't think anyone sees a viable commercial draw for early Mars missions)
-- ever more capable robotics
-- slow progress on life support and propulsion
-- declining likelihood of finding life or at least "formerlyl Earth-like" conditions as Mars' past looks ever colder and drier
I'm pretty sure we'll see that date keep sliding to the right. It might be different if each of the Forbes 400 were willing to cough up $1 billion for a Mars landing prize fund, but that's not very likely.
Space/Science » in reply to Bigelow will beat NASA there. Before 2025 is my bet.
I'll take that bet...
The whole thread (17 posts)
- NASA aims to put man on Mars by 2037
- Bigelow will beat NASA there. Before 2025 is my bet. (n/t)
- Algorithm: Every decade insert new date
