“A group will have to spend at least a year there waiting for the next launch window”
Maybe we should think about sending unmanned supple ships to Mars. A year’s worth of supplies, living habitat, etc..
“supple ships????”
Supply ships!
There was a proposal called “Mars Direct” developed by NASA in the 90’s and then cancelled. An unmanned habitat module would be sent to Mars in the first launch window. It would synthesize fuel for about a year for the next return trip. An manned Earth Return Vehicle (ERV) would be sent in the next window if all looked good. From there on, a different crew would be sent every two years, returning with their ERV using the fuel synthesized by the HAB. The movie Mission to Mars was loosely based on this plan.
“Maybe we should think about sending unmanned supple ships to Mars. A year’s worth of supplies, living habitat, etc.”
The locals will pilfer it.