It's a plan to go to Mars that was not conceived within NASA but by Dennis Tito, billionaire who hatched this hare-brained scheme.
I remember first reading about this with Tito announcing his Mars fly-by with funding to come from advertising revenue. Only at the very end did he say in what appeared to be an afterthought about how the trip requiring NASA involvement for launch capacity and other technological assistance.
I remember being quite annoyed at this guy for what seemed incredible hubris to conceive of a plan in which he would remain firmly in control while inviting NASA to join in on his idea in contributing hardware and more. While never asking for money directly, the implication of his request remained clear to me
Since then, the plan has changed, makes no mention of funding from promotional venues and seems to want, require NASA to contribute its resources for the mission to ever take place.
From Forbes:
In addition to fundraising, the foundation also plans to earn money for the trip by selling media rights and by selling data from the trip to NASA. Tito also announced at the conference he will be personally funding the first 2 years of the 5 year mission to get the trip launched.
The foundation has signed an agreement with NASA to help develop some of the necessary technology, however, they have not asked NASA for any funding for the mission.
Well today's announcement seems to contradict asking NASA for funding.
FTA
The venture's funding and feasibility remain vague.
No kidding!
Nowhere does it discuss any details of the mission, how after the fly-by they get rocketed back to Earth. In terms of what we might gain from such a mission in terms of money required. I would have to think it's a very poor investment.
The article implies that the major objective of the mission as part NASA's 2015 budget plan, released today, maintains that an asteroid will be the first destination for astronauts riding the agency's next-generation space capsule.
From Tito's Mars:Inspiration Site
Role with NASA
Our "Mission for America" aligns perfectly with our nation's emerging space priorities and programs, and will contribute valuable research to accelerate the next generation of systems and their missions. NASA has a strong plan for taking Americans farther into space and is investing wisely in a new human spacecraft and heavy lift launch vehicle - systems our nation needs for our long-term plans beyond low-Earth orbit (LEO). We're using the proven LEO systems and technology that NASA and the industry have created to seize this unique, once-in-a-generation opportunity to create public awareness, enthusiasm and momentum for a long-term commitment and vision for space exploration beyond LEO…all the way to Mars.
In addition, the foundation has formed a partnership with NASA via a reimbursable Space Act Agreement between Paragon and the Ames Research Center to conduct thermal protection system and technology testing and evaluation. Foundation officials will also seek to tap into NASA’s knowledge, experience and technologies to fine-tune and/or develop some of the more challenging elements of this mission, including environmental controls, radiation protection, and human health and productivity plans.
In exchange for NASA's involvement he will allow NASA to share in the scientific discoveries made by Mars:Inspiration.
Well, golly, gee, Mr. Tito, thanks a bunch!!
FTA
The venture's funding and feasibility remain vague.
No kidding!
Forbes:Dennis Tito's 2018 Mars Flyby Is On The 'Ragged Edge Of Feasibility'
Space.com:Dennis Tito's 2021 Human Mars Flyby Mission Explained (Infographic)
FIFY
Geez if you’re gonna go there, land. A flyby ain’t worth it. We’ve done flybys and orbits and mapping already. And landing and testing. It’s too big a mission NOT to land.
Look! A martian squirrel!
NASA can provide assistance if they want to reach out to the muslims on Mars.
Now that the Impostor has alienated the Russians,
after he DESTROYED NASA,
the US cannot even get to the Space Station.
Waste of money.
They’ll need more living space than the Orion capsule.
Neither NASA nor Congress seem to have any interest of getting a manned flight to Mars anytime in this century.
If this guy can get them off dead center, that’s a good thing.
I remember when they landed on the moon, I thought, by 2000 we’ll be on Mars. As it turned out, by 2000 even the moon was a dim memory.
I’ll admit, a one or two year mission just to circle it and come home will open up a new kind of frustration. And in my opinion sending a single ship is near suicidal. But I would like someone to light a fire under these guys and get going.
It’s already 2014 and we don’t currently have an independent manned space program. We’re dependent on the Russians just for access to the ISS.
Even if we had a Saturn 5-type rocket ready to go, it would take a minimum of 2 years to get there and back. The crew would not survive.
This isn’t going to happen.
ALL THESE WORLDS
ARE YOURS EXCEPT
EUROPA
ATTEMPT NO
LANDING THERE