Science

Is the US Taking the Right Path to Mars by Potentially Sidestepping Lunar Missions?

2025-01-29

Author: Arjun

NASA's Artemis program has long been touted as the United States' pathway back to the Moon, but with the recent shift in administration and the influence of tech billionaire Elon Musk, a focus on Mars colonization is sparking debate. Will prioritizing Martian exploration lead to a quicker journey to the Red Planet, or will it leave lunar missions in the dust?

Speculation holds that Donald Trump, if he returns to the presidency, may choose to scrap the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, a critical tool intended for transitioning from the Moon to Mars. But will this move expedite Mars missions?

The last humans to step foot on the Moon were the Apollo 17 astronauts in 1972, and since then, plans for a return have cycled through multiple presidential administrations, evolving into the current Artemis initiative. Following the successful Artemis I unmanned test flight in 2022, which confirmed the viability of the SLS, expectations have been raised, but the crewed Artemis II mission won’t launch until 2026 at the earliest—substantially slower compared to countries like India and China.

India's successful 2023 Chandrayaan-3 mission showcased remarkable budget efficiency in landing on the Moon. In contrast, China achieved lunar landings with its Chang'e 3 and Chang'e 4 missions in 2013 and 2019, respectively. Meanwhile, Russia's recent Luna-25 attempt met with failure. With several other international players like the European Space Agency and private companies vying for lunar exploration, the competition is fierce and growing.

So, could diverting attention to Mars be a smarter choice? Such a pivot might entail scrapping the Lunar Gateway project—a planned space station orbiting the Moon designed to support long-term crewmembers. However, given that this project isn't slated until the earliest of 2027, some argue that abandoning it wouldn’t be such a loss.

Yet, traveling to Mars vastly differs from lunar missions. The distance to Mars is approximately 833 times greater than to the Moon. While lunar launch windows are favorable every month, Martian launches are contingent upon an 18-month cycle of optimal planetary alignment—making a timely voyage crucial, as the journey could take up to nine months, requiring astronauts to troubleshoot any onboard issues without assistance.

The Lunar Gateway could aid in these endeavors, providing a launch point from the Moon, where Earth’s gravity is less of a hindrance. This strategy would allow for more efficient fuel usage on the journey to Mars, although the logistical challenges of building the Gateway remain.

Although SpaceX aims to land on Mars—possibly beginning with uncrewed missions as early as next year—astronaut safety remains a paramount concern. High-profile setbacks, such as the Boeing incidents involving astronauts trapped on the International Space Station for extended periods, serve as cautionary reminders of the dangers involved. However, Musk's significant sway within government circles may push for a rapid acceleration of these plans.

NASA now faces a critical choice: continue investing in the Artemis program and let the Lunar Gateway go, or pursue Mars exploration with Musk at the helm. The challenge lies in funding both agendas without compromising either.

As timelines converge, SpaceX's ambition to send humans to Mars in 2028 may seem overly optimistic. If development of the Lunar Gateway indeed lags, it may impede any chance of safe human travel to Mars. The danger arises if the U.S. cedes lunar exploration to other nations, giving them a leg up in interplanetary endeavor.

Mars presents conditions that could support human life—there’s some atmospheric pressure and evidence of water resources—but the planet lacks the potential for terraforming, which renders it fundamentally inhospitable in the long term. Moreover, solar energy generation could be inefficacious due to Mars' distance from the Sun.

Despite the risks, the allure of pioneering Mars captivates a broad audience, making it a tantalizing pursuit. However, such vital decisions ought to rest in the hands of experts rather than politicians or billionaires. The future of humanity’s presence in outer space hangs in the balance.