Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has unveiled plans to reduce travel time to Mars to a maximum of 90 days, a significant decrease from the current eight-month journey using existing technology. This ambitious proposal aims to facilitate human colonization of the Red Planet.
Musk's vision suggests that future Mars travel could resemble current international flights, with a target of sending one million people to Mars. He stated that while conventional trips take between six to nine months depending on the Earth-Mars distance, advancements in spacecraft design and propulsion systems could shorten this duration.
The proposed modifications include enhancing the Starship rocket's speed to approximately 36,000 kilometers per hour, enabling it to reach Mars within 80 to 100 days. Currently, the Starship can achieve a maximum speed of 39,600 kilometers per hour, but this speed may not be attainable when carrying passengers and cargo.
Musk plans to implement in-space refueling, allowing the Starship to fill up with fuel from a tank positioned in orbit before heading to Mars. This strategy is expected to improve acceleration and reduce travel time while also addressing the health risks posed by prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation.
Despite Musk's optimism, many scientists caution that establishing a long-term human presence on Mars presents numerous challenges, including health risks and environmental hazards. Musk has acknowledged that the initial settlers will face significant hardships and should not expect a luxurious lifestyle.
SpaceX is currently preparing several Starship rockets for future missions, with the goal of sending humans to Mars by 2050. Musk envisions a self-sustaining colony, funded by ticket sales estimated at $100,000 per person for a one-way trip, with plans to launch multiple rockets in the coming decades.