Mars mission: Caution urged as starship faces hurdles
Ewelina Zambrzycka-Koscielnicka from CBK PAN emphasises that perfecting the landing on Mars is crucial before sending a crew. Rushing the mission could be dangerous.
Elon Musk, owner of SpaceX, plans for the first Starship rocket flight to Mars in March 2026. A humanoid robot, Optimus, will be on board. If the landing is successful, humans could reach Mars as early as 2029, although Musk suggests that 2031 is more realistic.
Starship, measuring over 394 feet, is set to carry large payloads into orbit. It is crucial for the Artemis mission, which aims for another human landing on the Moon. Ewelina Zambrzycka-Koscielnicka from the Space Research Centre PAN notes that Starship is not yet operational. Tests since 2023 have shown progress, but this year's two tests ended in explosions.
SpaceX is collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate the causes of the failures. The company aims to accelerate tests in 2025 but needs approval for commercial launches. Zambrzycka-Koscielnicka emphasises that successful landing of the Starship on Earth is necessary before attempting a Mars landing.
Meanwhile, this year's two tests of the Starship, which serves as both a spacecraft and lander, ended in explosions. In both cases, the vehicle, intended to carry astronauts and payloads, disintegrated shortly after the flight began. SpaceX, which launches spacecraft from its base in southern Texas, is currently working with the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate the second consecutive failure, which occurred on 6 March - the expert reminded, as quoted by the Polish Press Agency.
Key supply and health issues
The expert points out a lack of information on SpaceX's plans regarding supplies and fuel on Mars. A prolonged flight in weightlessness weakens the astronauts' muscles and bones, which could be problematic on Mars, where gravity is significantly weaker than on Earth.
NASA and ESA are currently focusing on the lunar programme, intended as a testing ground for future missions to Mars. Zambrzycka-Koscielnicka emphasises that perfecting the Mars landing is crucial for the safety of crewed missions.
From my point of view, rushing is not advisable, and efforts to hasten such a mission are focused on the prestige that comes from such an achievement - concludes the expert.
