(REUTERS/NASA/Greg Shirah/Handout). At NASA, we’re confident that one day humans will be able to travel to Mars, live and work there, and return safely to Earth. 4. Legal Statement. After we build the moon base, you believe we should use what we learned and send humans to Mars’ moon, Phobos, to build a base on Mars. For a start, there are more microbes in our body than even body cells — and we’re not even counting microbes in the air we’ll breathe in the ship and on the Mars base. It takes between five months and a year to get to Mars and around five years to get to … It’s just a matter of time. A Year in Space. Apart from looking for life, why bother with a mission to send humans to Mars? There are a number of reasons to travel to Mars. For this reason, I would definitively say, not that we simply should go to Mars…but that we must. If Humans go to Mars, they’ll have no choice but to bring with them their microbes — this is inevitable. Mars has … the main reason to go to mars, or to explore anything for that matter is because why not. The planet Mars showing showing Terra Meridiani is seen in an undated NASA image. Is there life on Mars? ©2021 FOX News Network, LLC. In addition, an ambitious and strong space program can be one of our most effective diplomatic tools, as people around the world look at our space program with awe and appreciation. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Mars has water, an atmosphere, and other resources that should allow us to live off the land. Why did Marco Polo head east? And then there was the symbolic victory, which was won when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin planted the Stars and Stripes on the lunar surface. Market data provided by Factset. The reasons for going will be different depending on whom you talk to. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Building on lessons learned from the International Space Station (ISS), commercial partners are anticipated to have a major and innovative role in the exploration of Mars. Humans to Mars is Affordable and Achievable:  Recent workshops and studies have also shown that missions to Mars are both achievable and affordable. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Improving the quality of life on Earth. U.S. led missions to Mars would not only make a bold and unequivocal statement that we are still capable of great things – perhaps the greatest achievement in human history – but it would also dramatically improve our national outlook and economy. Why Should We Go to Mars? If that's the case, maybe Mars had life before Earth had life. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. NASA will not require a large increase in its budget to achieve this goal of landing humans on Mars by 2033. 3. The Apollo and other NASA missions led to developments in micro-electronincsthat later made it into household devices such as calculators and home computers. 6. The InSight mission hopes to improve the odds. 2. This involvement will be the underpinning of new and incredibly promising industries for the next century. This often has been a challenge, as there are dozens of compelling reasons to pursue such a goal. In similar fashion, humans intend to send a manned spacecraft to Mars.The mystery of Mars is always fascinating to humans on earth throughout the history. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Congressional Support:  Mars has stronger support than any other destination for human space flight, and this support has been consistently bi-partisan in nature. The thing about space is that it’s huge. "Only by pushing mankind to its limits, to the bottoms … These are just three of the hundreds of burning questions for scientists all over the world. A round-trip to Mars would take about 18 months, and there isn’t enough room on current spacecraft to carry all the food, water, and other items humans would need to survive. Why We Should Land on Mars' Moon Before We Land on Mars. Hollywood has recognized this interest and responded with successful movie and television projects. NASA Astronaut Explains Why We Should Send Humans To Mars (VIDEO) ... “There have been a lot of clues we’ve seen that there is potentially life on Mars, but the only way to find out is really to go there,” he told The Huffington Post during a community event held by NASA on Wednesday in New York City. Another reason we should go to Mars, is to inspire the next generation of space explorationers. That would be my preference. Discovery and Scientific Knowledge:  Mars is the most scientifically interesting location in our solar system that humans can reach in the foreseeable future. 1. Share Link. Why We Should Land on Phobos Before We Land on Mars Why Mars One is Almost Completely Uninsurable Scientists Devise a New, Cheaper Way to Travel to Mars … The current record for Mars missions is 18 successes, and 25 failures. why does there need to be a logical reason to go. Although robotic exploration of Mars over the past 50 plus years has provided us with a wealth of information and incredible discoveries, most experts agree that it will probably take human explorers to determine whether there ever was or even still is life on Mars and to conduct many other scientific investigations that are not possible with robots alone. How many humans would we need to send to Mars in order to create a self-sustaining colony? I … It is imperative to understand the evolutions of other planets, particularly planets like Earth so that we can wisely take care of our home. Companies like Boeing, SpaceX, Lockheed, and Aerojet Rocketdyne have released plans and other companies have provided valuable concepts on how we can conduct these missions in an affordable manner. Mars offers the potential for self-sufficiency that simply is not possible anywhere else in the solar system with our current levels of technology. All rights reserved. Because it is that pull, that unknown, that prospect of adventure that compels humans to seek new frontiers to explore. We rely on satellites for communication, timing and positioning. All rights reserved. 4. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Recent polls have confirmed that support for Mars exploration remains high. So we should go to Mars to help us here. It's as simple as that. Legal Statement. In contrast, an ambitious mission to the next frontier of Mars will inspire new generations of engineers, scientists, physicians, innovators, educators, and industrialists to reach for the stars. Sending a manned mission to Mars is a fantastic adventure. or redistributed. I also want to explain why I think it should be an international effort that should include Canada, Europe, Russia, Japan, China, India, and possibly other countries that can contribute. Overpopulation and limited resources on Earth makes Mars a potentially suitable place to colonize. A Bump in the Road. Satellites help to keep us safe from severe weather, especially in Australia. A new study reveals the answer—and it could … The moment the first astronauts land on Mars will be our moment to remember. It's always a concern when sending surface probes … CROSS-CONTAMINATION FROM EARTH. Back in the sixties, the obvious answer for why we should go to the moon was to beat the Soviets. Advancement and Expansion of Humanity:  Can humans establish a permanent presence on another planet? A journey to Mars would offer an inspiring message to some of the people in the countries we … My first reason was that we could find life on mars. Elon Musk: we must colonise Mars to preserve our species in a third world war This article is more than 2 years old. NASA is developing the capabilities needed to send humans to an asteroid by 2025 and Mars in the 2030s goals outlined in the bipartisan NASA Authorization Act of 2010 and in the U.S. National Space Policy, also issued in 2010. Who can even envision the incredible feeling of being the first human in history to step out of the capsule and leave your footprint on the surface of Mars? Comparative planetology is an environmentalist tool, and going to the Red Planet is a green project. Get the recap of top opinion commentary and original content throughout the week. Mars is an obvious target for exploration because it is close by in our Solar System, but there are many more reasons to explore the Red Planet. Many aspects of our modern lives would not be possible if it were not for our interest in space. Today, as America plans to lead efforts to send humans to Mars in the early 2030s, it is important to clearly articulate the rationale for undertaking such ambitious missions. “I think it makes sense to go to Mars with humans to test technologies and to do scientific experiments — a short term visit or visits,” she told Futurism. ©2021 FOX News Network, LLC. … Why We Should Go to Mars Humans seem to have never stopped exploring the outer space since their inception. Imagine seeing our wonderful bluish planet from a Martian perspective! In 1969, astronauts landed on the moon, which represented a landmark in humans’ history. Will you be one of the astronauts to explore Mars? The first is the realization of an amazing dream! At the moment, astronauts in the ISS … And a poor use of a great deal of money. Humans should go to Mars to slowly work towards building a civilization there, according to Digital Trends. Our analysis of what could happen to the Earth cannot be based on just one data point – that of the Earth. Exploring space is beneficial for all of us. That’s why NASA is looking for ways to utilize the Martian soil and water, as well as other resources. This has been made clear by numerous NASA Authorization bills, as well as in a NASA Transition Bill that was passed by the Senate in late 2016. Market data provided by Factset. "I'm afraid if we step back, it will be decades before we get back to Mars," said Rep. Adam B. Schiff, D-Calif., whose district includes NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in … Actually, attempting to eventually send humans to Mars is a pricey, risky leap. Do you think we should go to mars? Inspiration and Innovation: Space exploration is widely recognized to be one of the most effective ways to inspire students to become interested in STEM education and it is a well-known driver of technology and innovation. Terrifyingly, impossibly huge. Imagine living on another planet, millions of miles from the Earth; looking up into the sky with the knowledge that one of the 'stars' is actually the planet you were born on. But, we won’t know if a permanent presence is possible until we try. The first is the realization of an amazing dream! The day/night rhythm is very similar to ours here on Earth: a Mars day is 24 hours, 39 minutes and 35 seconds The only other two celestial bodies in orbits near the Earth are our Moon and Venus. By this we implore you to not just think of that f… Can it teach us about Earth's history? Industry Support:  Numerous American corporations have invested time and resources in designing mission architectures to send humans to Mars. Sending a manned mission to Mars is a fantastic adventure. This is the broad-brush view of why we need to go to Mars, but on a more personal level, what drives people to want to go to such places, so far away, so hostile to life? A Second Genesis. 3. There is no doubt that Mars will be challenging. Many spacecraft have died trying to get to Mars. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! By this we implore you to not just think of that feeling for the astronaut, but the experience for all those watching back home. A different view. Those who observed Neil Armstrong land on the Moon all those years ago still remember every detail – where they were, who they were with and how they felt. Thirdly: progress. In addition, unlike the Cold War motivation of the 1960s that led us to the moon, the reasons for going to Mars are likely to result in a program that is far more sustainable than the Apollo lunar program, which ended in 1972 after only a handful of missions. 2. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The biggest thinkers from around the world answer the question: "Why Should Humanity Go to Mars?" Let me know your reasons why, or your reasons why not in the comments section down below. Exploring space is beneficial for all of us. The Launch of ExoMars. You could say that sending people to Mars is 'the next giant leap for mankind'. Public Support and Enthusiasm:  Unlike the Moon, Mars continues to generate significant public interest and support, especially with young people. There are, of course, good reasons for … Prosperity and National Morale:  Apart from national prestige, morale is essential for a nation’s growth and prosperity. We still haven’t figured out how to grow food in space. This mission will jumpstart massive developments in all kinds of areas, a few examples being in recycling, solar energy, food production and the advancement of medical technology. Why we explore Mars—and what decades of missions have revealed In the 1960s, humans set out to discover what the red planet has to teach us. Security and Diplomacy: While Mars missions will not be run by the military, many of the capabilities required to achieve these missions have potential security applications. It took three days for the Apollo missions to get to the moon. Mars offers the potential for self-sufficiency that simply is not possible anywhere else in the solar system with our current levels of technology. In addition to these overarching societal reasons, there are some immediate political and commercial reasons to keep Mars as the focus of our human spaceflight program. So that is one big question answered for you there. To Understand Earth:  Mars is the planet in our solar system that is most similar to Earth. Who can even envision the incredible feeling of being the first human in history to step out of the capsule and leave your footprint on the surface of Mars? What happened – and could the same thing happen on Earth? The scientific reasons for going to Mars can be summarised by the search for life, understanding the surface and the planet’s evolution, and preparing for future human exploration. Mars used to be a warm and wet planet like Earth, when Mars had a much thicker atmosphere than it does today. Scientist Stephen Hawking claims that humans need to colonize planets in the next 1,000 years to ensure survival. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Imagine living on another planet, millions of miles from the Earth; looking up into the sky with the knowledge that one of the 'stars' is actually the planet you were born on. Where did Mars come from? There are far fewer vital resources on the Moon, and a Moon day takes a month. Mars is our challenge, and our opportunity. The space race, like the nuclear arms race, carried enormous military implications. However, those reasons can be succinctly organized into the six categories set forth below. most explorers in history wanted to just explore, not go for some logical reason, they just came up with reasons so someone would finance it According to Neil deGrasse Tyson (Director, Hayden Planetarium) There is evidence to suggest that Mars was wet before Earth was wet. For many enthusiasts it is an escape, a chance for a new start and the challenge of a lifetime. We Should Really Go to Mars. A second reason is good, old-fashioned curiosity. Some powerful nations … That’s why NASA is looking for ways to utilize the Martian soil, water, and other resources. 5. But after 55 years of human space flight, 50 years of studying Mars, 16 years of permanent presence onboard the ISS, a massive expansion of international and commercial space capabilities, and years of Mars forward technology development, we are far more ready to send humans to Mars than the nation was when President John F. Kennedy committed the U.S. to landing humans on the Moon. Returning to the Moon after 50 years is unlikely to require major advancements in technology. The plan includes no expensive flyby missions or keeping a craft in high orbit staring down at Mars. The reasons for sending humans to Mars fall within the following categories: 1. Featured Videos Related Mega Dust Storms. Experts are working hard to get humans on the surface of Mars in a matter of decades, which begs the question: why? Why did Columbus travel west?