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Today's Poll: How likely is it that a human will ever set foot on Mars?

By Howard B. Owens
Howard B. Owens

I'm in the 20 percent range. The barriers are daunting.

-- A fuel-efficient propulsion system that minimizes travel time;
-- Tight, close quarters for multiple personnel over an extended period of time;
-- the health effects of microgravity;
-- food and water for an extended period of time, and that's just getting there, let alone being there and back;
-- Deep space radiation exposure.

And that's just the top five challenges to overcome.

To me, 20 percent is optimistic. I give us zero chance of there will ever be manned missions that reach beyond our solar system or even its outer limits.

Apr 16, 2018, 11:46am Permalink
Irene Will

I don't even see the point of TRYING to go there. Monumental waste of money and time, as far as I'm concerned. That money would be better spent addressing problems - hunger, poverty, disease - on THIS planet.

Apr 17, 2018, 9:16am Permalink

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