Russian plan to put men on Mars 'by 2009'

Telegraph ^ | 10/04/2004 | Tom Parfitt

[Eurotwit]

Russian scientists yesterday announced an ambitious project to send a manned mission to Mars by 2009.

If realised, it could trump Nasa's bid to put men on the Red Planet - announced by President George W Bush this year - by more than a decade.

Managers from Aviacosmicheskie Sistemy, an aerospace company based in Moscow, said their objective could be achieved using existing technology for no more than £2.7 billion, about a fifth of Nasa's projected costs.

The company plans to set up a space station beyond the Moon as a staging post for a three-year manned flight to Mars.

Six astronauts will make the trip in a low-budget craft based on a Russian Zvezda module carrying a 70-ton landing unit and a rover.

"This will be a pioneering flight," said Georgiy Uspensky, a member of the team.

"It is a very attractive and realistic idea."

Viktor Ivanov, a colleague, said the project could "solve the problem of national prestige".

An official from the Russian space agency, Rosaviakosmos, said the project had little chance of success on such a low budget, but the scientists said they were confident of securing private funding.

[My2Cents]

Hi-tech, circa 1936.

[RightWhale]

Is that a lavatory door in the side of that nuclear rocket?

[My2Cents]

They should be suspicious if the return craft looks like a collection of bodybags.

[TheLion]

"Second, Magellan did not intend it to be one way"

Neither did Mallory or Scott....they all had high expectations of returning.

[RussianConservative]

As much chance as US pulling such off, considering that US in 10 years neck to deep to pay off old people and not enough young people and salary of US worker on decreses so where is US going to get monies, beside printing yet new deficits?

[RussianConservative]

Yes, because the American always does everything small and tame...hahah, same US inferiority complex that drive American to also build big things...try to look own society in mirror before judging so much...besides, Russia left Socialism, US swim in pools of it....enjoy.

[TheLion]

"Hi-tech, circa 1936."

Reminds me of those old science fiction tv serials....used to love those damn things.

[RussianConservative]

Well is not the US full of little fag boy bands? Send one as "publicity" stunt...hehehehe.

[pointsal]

Take all three Kerrys (John, Bob, & Teri)
Richard (Dick) Clarke can go along to report on the hazards.

[SandRat]

Can we add names for the crew?

Nancy Pelosi
Hillery Clinton
Bill Clinton
Helen Thomas
Peter Jennings
Michael Moore
Al Franken

[TheLion]

I'm sure there are plenty of possible volunteers or conscripts. Right now, we are going the unmanned route.

[irv]

The history of daring explorations is filled with one-way trips.

True, but nobody intends for it to be one way.

It's a foregone conclusion that their budget will grow. Their timeline sems ambitious, I would expect it to stretch too. But even a one-way mission before we put one up will make NASA look like chumps.

That's not necessarily a bad thing.

[PISANO]

Oh no, Mr. President we can NOT allow a "MARS LANDING" gap!!

[TopQuark]

Russia left Socialism, US swim in pools of it....enjoy.

When you are correct, you are correct, RussianConservative.

[irv]

If knowledge is the goal, then

Knowledge is not the goal of exploration. Ever. Going there is the goal.

I can see that doesn't make sense to you, but you'll NEVER talk the explorers out of it.

[Atlas Sneezed]

I can see that doesn't make sense to you, but you'll NEVER talk the explorers out of it.

---

That's okay, as long as they don't expect to get their personal jollies on my nickel.

[FreedomCalls]

First, there was oxygen and water everywhere Magellan went.

He didn't know that when he started out. He also did not know if he could find food either. He didn't know that his ship would not fall off the edge of the world, or that giant sea monsters would not devour his ship. We only know that that is not the case because he went anyway.

[RussianConservative]

Problem is, desert blood suckers only have oil, which they know not of processing, and hot air to power one of their stone minorets to space....might take a few hundred centuaries for them to figure how to leave earth orbit....once they stop the dinasaurs...that were created by Americans and Jews to eat good muslim (read that one in interview with Madra student ;0) ).

[RussianConservative]

Death row inmates, islamos...just make sure self destruct button hidden and only auto pilot...then have them walk and breath fine marsian airs...heehehe new experiments for expendables.

[jimfree]

So what's wrong with a one-way trip in pursuit of exploration? Magellan made a one-way trip to the South Pacific (though some of his crew made it home). Scott made a one-way trip to the South Pole. George Mallory made a one-way trip up Mt Everest. The history of daring explorations is filled with one-way trips.

I might be with you Freedom. What would make me leave family but to make history in that manner? Somebody has to go first. Do we wait until there is a Holiday Inn adjacent to the landing site?