NASA is quite excited about its mission to Mars. Things have become more interesting after the release of the movie Martian. Lately, the space agency has released a plan detailing its next steps in this direction. The plan can be broken down in three phases.

Though NASA wants to actualize the trip to Mars, it has not lost touch with reality and knows that the path full of obstacles and they need to be patient. In the document, NASA has said that they can consider of a trip around 2030.

One of the main problems that they have to solve is there is no means of propulsion that can send a spacecraft that far into the Universe. The agency said that it will work on an electric propulsion system that will not require fuel.

Another problem is health of astronomers. Travelling that far will take three years during which the health of astronauts can suffer as they face danger from cosmic radiation that can cause them cancer. They can also suffer from bone and muscle problems as they will be an environment where there is no gravity.

Next, even if it is considered that the spacecraft reaches its destination, having a smooth landing is extremely tough. NASA said that there is need to overcome the challenges to make a successful trip to Mars. NASA has mentioned in its document that the agency has never been so close to send US astronauts to Mars.

NASA says in the document, “the agency has never been so close to sending US astronauts to Mars”. However, many experts and scientists are very skeptical of the optimism of the US space agency. “This plan contains no budget or schedule, or date”, states the current Republican chairman of the Committee on Science and Space of the House of Representatives, Lamar Smith. Adding “it is only a collection of beautiful pictures with beautiful words, which is not going to get us to Mars”.