On CNBC Thursday morning, Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg said — “Eventually we’re going to go to Mars and I firmly believe the first person that sets foot on Mars will get there on a Boeing rocket.”
To which Elon Musk replied tersely — “Do it”.
Is Elon Musk being cocky? Throwing a dare? Encouraging competition? Saying “Let’s Do it”? Does Elon Musk (and humanity) win, no matter who gets there first?
SpaceX vs Boeing
Here is a video showing SpaceX’s vision of colonizing Mars -
And an update few weeks ago with the BFR announcement -
Here is Boeing’s approach (in collaboration with NASA) — although the CEO’s statement may be referring just to the SLS heavy-lift launch vehicle -
Human Colonization of Mars
The idea of human colonization of Mars has picked up steam over the past two decades for multiple reasons. Mars' surface conditions and past presence of water, make it the most hospitable planet in the Solar System besides Earth. Mars requires less energy per unit mass to reach from Earth than any planet, except Venus. Other reasons for colonizing space include concerns about humanity's future on Earth, economic interests, long-term scientific research best carried out by humans as opposed to robotic probes, and sheer curiosity. And Elon Musk!
Surface temperature and sunlight on Mars are similar to the conditions on Earth; however, the surface is not hospitable to humans or most known life forms due to very low air pressure, lack of oxygen and radiation. Human survival on Mars would require complex life-support measures and living in artificial environments.
The challenges are formidable, but that’s what we humans strive for.
In the past 20 years, eight NASA landers and orbiters have arrived successfully, and not a day has passed without the United States having at least one active robot on Mars or in orbit around Mars. More robotic missions are in the pipeline.
Let the race begin.
Further Reading
- Boeing Vs. Elon: How Dennis Muilenburg Could Actually Beat Musk to Mars — www.inverse.com/…
- Boeing: We are going to beat SpaceX to Mars — arstechnica.com/…
- Turn Mars Blue? — www.dailykos.com/…
- Is There Life on Mars? — www.dailykos.com/...