How we’ll get to Mars

We’re fortunate to live in a time when we have two new launch rockets intended to enable crewed launches to Mars.

The two rockets on the left have flown already. The Falcon Heavy flew in 2018 and is currently 32M miles from home traveling at 58K mph. The Saturn V launched the Apollo Missions between 1967-1973.

The two rockets on the right haven’t flown yet. Boeing’s Space Launch System is more expensive and also is not reusable, so it has larger expected price (green bar graph) and $ per kilogram (blue bar graph) characteristics.

Super Heavy Lift Launcher Capabilities Falcon Heavy vs Saturn V vs SLS vs Starship

68 bits of unsolicited advice from a 68 year old co-founder of Wired

My favorite part is that Kevin teaches most readers a new word, with the last word on his list –– “Pronoia” is a neologism coined to describe a state of mind that is the opposite of paranoia..

Here are 3 of of my favs from his list:

1- Being enthusiastic is worth 25 IQ points.

2- Don’t be the best. Be the only.

3- Promptness is a sign of respect.

This list reminded me of the sunscreen song, which is also good.

#ToMarsAndBack

In 2021 pieces of Mars will land safely on earth as part of Mars 2020. The Mars 2020 rover collects samples and leaves them in canisters on the surface. The lander deploys a fetch rover to collect the samples and deposit them in an ascent vehicle, which blasts into Mars orbit. There, a return orbiter collects the samples for transport back to Earth.

Via planetary.org.

Mars Sample Return overview infographic (ESA)