NASA Seeks Help From Russia On Mars Mission
Crew Returns Safely To Earth After Stay At Space Station

POSTED: 2:59 pm EDT October 24, 2004
UPDATED: 4:18 pm EDT October 24, 2004

WASHINGTON -- NASA's top administrator said the agency wants to keep working with the Russians, with the goal of sending missions to Mars.

A two-man Russian-U.S. crew has just returned to Earth after a six-month stay at the international space station.

They came back in the non-reusable Soyuz spacecraft.

The Russians are providing transportation to and from the space station while the U.S. shuttle fleet remains grounded.

NASA's Sean O'Keefe said at a Russian news conference after the crew's return that Russia's experience with long-duration flights will be critical on missions to Mars.

O'Keefe also said shuttle flights grounded since the Columbia disaster in February 2003 should resume by early summer.
http://www.wsbtv.com/technology/3845569/detail.html


I think we will go to Mars, but don't think it will happen very soon. I am kind of doubtful of it happening in my lifetime.

I do believe we will go to mars and that it will be within teh next 20-30 years but to actually send a manned mission to mars, the entire international community must unite for this mision and work together, combing our resources, facilities and knowledge.
It makes perfect sense for america and russia to work together, they have been the two major space exploration countries and would have the best chance of a successful mission to mars!!!

I believe too that we will go to Mars, although I agree with AztecInca about the manned missions, that the entire world community must put resources together. What though I also believe, is that it would make more sense instead of going to Mars, first going back to the moon.

Mission to Mars: Should be composed of the major countries of the world. US, Canada, England, France, Russia and China mainly. Isreal and Palestine can join in after they finish bitchin about each other.

I would also add in Japan as another major contributer. While smaller countries or countries with less developed space agencies could also pool their resources and significantly contribute. It will take the world uniting for this mission, for it to be an actual success!

Then again, we enter the scenario that everybody will want to assure their own country's interests in the future project. There will be meetings upon meetings, negotiations upon negotiations. Japanese might want to make sure that their steel industry will participate with over 20%, the Russians will want to make sure that any future explorations on Mars will not be considered American only, the European Union will want to use the Arian missile to send parts to space and so on and so forth.
People have this unique talent sometimes, to get a splendid idea and then fight over it until they forget what was it all about in the first place.

Im afraid Asterix is right...we're at the point where maybe two countries (i.e. - Russia and US) could get together, but not a huge "coalition." i forsee us landing on mars in 2039.

It does seem that when a large number of countries come together to work on one project, all that occurs is a lot of arguing and disagrements.
The mission may only be able to be achieved if only the US and Russia team up!

a manned mission to mars is the next important step in space travel for our planet. I agree that multinational resources will need to be utilized in order for success of a mission of this magnitude. US, Russia and Canada will have to work together with perhaps a few smaller countries helping out as well. WE have the technology, and have for some time. Of course we won't be going anywhere as long as NASA has our program in the States grounded.

Get the U.N. to lead or coordinate all of the space agencies in a combined
planetary project. As much as people hate the idea, some day we well need a world representative Goverment if we plan to colonize in space.
Dream a lot dont I!

Most true and correct, and yet...like you said yourself, feels like a distant dream
You know, "World Representative Goverment", as in "Soviet tourist"

You are kidding right, the U.N. could not coordinate a marshmallow roast. A trip as technically advanced and difficult to organize as this will be needs a group more sophisticated than the U.N.