Buzz Aldrin is very passionate about colonizing Mars [1]. He says there are two big things that have to be accomplished before we can colonize Mars. The first is to train astronauts to live in a confined isolated space for 260 days (the length of a journey to Mars) [2]. This alternative journey trajectory increases the 260 days.
The second is harder: We need to go to Mars at least three times and bring back the men and women successfully. Once is not enough. Three proves we've mastered the engineering, financial, physical, and physiological aspects.
The second is harder: We need to go to Mars at least three times and bring back the men and women successfully. Once is not enough. Three proves we've mastered the engineering, financial, physical, and physiological aspects.
[1] http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/space/aldrin-mars-au.html
[2] http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/jun/03/mock-mission-m...