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Humans Could Be on Mars By 2030, Space Scientist Says

Posted on: Thursday, 7 October 2004, 06:00 CDT

VANCOUVER (CP) - A worldwide effort could put a human on Mars by the year 2030 as part of a 100-year plan for the exploration of the planet, says the director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab.

However, Charles Elachi said the race for Mars won't be like the race during the 1960's to get a man in space and to the moon. "I think it would be a big mistake if our goal was just to get humans to Mars," he said Thursday after attending an international gathering of astronauts and space scientists this week in Vancouver.

Instead, he said the exploration of Mars should be methodical and long term.

"It's a long term commitment for humanity to explore and to expand into the solar system."

Elachi, part of a panel of experts talking about Mars at the International Astronautical Congress in Vancouver, said they want to avoid the situation of the Apollo program.

"We went into the race, we won the race, and then we stopped."

NASA's rover missions have been exploring Mars since January and Elachi envisions a number of long-term robotic outposts where the ground work is prepared for human exploration.

All three members on the panel agreed the moon will play a key part in getting a human to Mars.

"Using the Moon as one possible stepping stone, where we learn how to survive for long periods of time in a very harsh environment," Elachi said.

Daniel Sacotte, of the European Space Agency, said the use of a moon base or space station would help humans adjust physically to travel.

But Viktor Vorontsov of the Babakin Space Centre in Russia pointed out technology has a long way to go before man goes to Mars.

"For landing with people (on Mars) we need big - very big - parachutes or inflatable braking devices."

When NASA's rovers landed on Mars, they looked like a giant bunch of grapes covered with huge air bags that helped them bounce to soft landing.

In January, a Mars orbiter detected water molecules vapourizing from the planet's south pole. Scientists believe water on the red planet could indicate life.

But there are years of exploration left to do before humans arrive.

"Some have compared the returning of samples from Mars as the Holy Grail of Mars exploration." said Christian Sallaberger, the panel moderator and director of space exploration at MacDonald Dettwiler.

While no one discussed what a venture like sending humans to Mars could cost during the session, outside Elachi said money isn't the issue.

"How much money would you spend for cancer? This exploration program is for all of humanity," he said.

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