Racing to Mars: The risks and realities of Musk's mission
Experts emphasize that rushing the Mars mission is not advisable, partly because the journey to Mars will be exhausting for the human body. Perfecting the landing is crucial for crew safety, but questions about the delivery of supplies and fuel remain unresolved.
Elon Musk, owner of SpaceX, announced that the first flight of the Starship rocket to Mars is scheduled for March 2026. A humanoid robot named Optimus will be on board. If the landing is successful, humans could reach Mars as early as 2029, although Musk suggests on X that 2031 is more likely.
Expert: Acceleration of Starship tests in 2025 possible
Ewelina Zambrzycka-Koscielnicka, spokesperson for the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences, commented that the two-stage Starship rocket - Super Heavy "is not yet operational." Although the Starship, a powerful rocket measuring over 120 metres, has been tested since April 2023, and the Super Heavy booster has landed successfully twice, tests of the upper stage have ended in explosions. SpaceX is working with the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate the causes of these failures.
The expert notes that accelerating Starship tests in 2025 is possible but requires approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. Successfully landing the Starship on Earth, which has yet to be achieved, will be crucial.
"If the company manages to accelerate the tests and rectify errors, who knows - perhaps in 2026 they will indeed decide to head towards Mars and attempt a landing on the Red Planet. However, first SpaceX must ensure a correct landing of the Starship on Earth, which has not yet occurred," the expert observed.
Lower gravity on Mars will make it challenging
The journey to Mars is not only a technological challenge but also a physical one. Astronauts will have to endure weightlessness for at least six months, which will weaken their muscles and bones. "Upon arriving on Mars, where gravity is nearly three times weaker than on Earth, they will not rebuild muscle strength. And they still face the return trip to Earth," the expert emphasized.
The rush to complete the Mars mission may be motivated by prestige
Zambrzycka-Koscielnicka emphasizes that rushing the Mars mission is not advisable and carries enormous risks.
The spokesperson for the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences also pointed out that any potential disaster would undoubtedly lead to the postponement of manned Martian missions for several more decades.
