Former NASA astronaut José Hernández expressed his belief that human travel to Mars is at least 15 years away. Speaking in an interview with NewsNation’s Blake Burman, Hernández emphasized that space travel is a complex and challenging endeavor that requires significant preparation and technological advancements. According to Hernández, we are not as close as some may think to sending humans to Mars.
He disagreed with statements made by tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has suggested that the first human missions to Mars could happen in just five years.
Hernández pointed out that one of the most critical steps for advancing human space exploration is to develop a lunar base. He explained that a lunar base would provide an ideal testing ground for the technologies needed for Mars exploration.
The operational costs currently allocated to the International Space Station (ISS) could be better invested in establishing this lunar outpost. “Right now, there are still too many technical hurdles that we need to overcome before we can even think about going to Mars,” Hernández said.
Hernández's comments came just days before two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, were scheduled to return to Earth after spending nine months aboard the ISS. NASA had already prepared for their return, with SpaceX, the private aerospace company founded by Elon Musk, coordinating the logistics for the astronauts' safe return.
NASA issued a statement that they had met with SpaceX to evaluate the weather and splashdown conditions off the coast of Florida. The agency indicated that the astronauts would be brought back on Tuesday, contingent on favorable conditions.
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NASA’s statement also mentioned that the return target had been updated to ensure that the astronauts had adequate time to complete their handover duties before facing less favorable weather conditions expected later in the week. This careful planning is a testament to the meticulous nature of modern space exploration, where even minor weather conditions can have a significant impact on safety.
The backdrop of Hernández's comments was also marked by a controversial statement from former President Donald Trump earlier this year. In January, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to criticize the Biden Administration over the situation of astronauts aboard the ISS.
He claimed that two astronauts were being “virtually abandoned in space” due to delays in their return to Earth, and he called on Elon Musk and SpaceX to intervene and bring the astronauts back. “I have just asked Elon Musk and @SpaceX to ‘go get’ the 2 brave astronauts who have been virtually abandoned in space by the Biden Administration,” Trump wrote.
“They have been waiting for many months on @Space Station. Elon will soon be on his way. Hopefully, all will be safe. Good luck Elon!!!”
Trump's statement sparked some controversy and drew attention to the political and administrative complexities involved in space missions. However, the fact remains that space travel is still a challenging and dangerous endeavor.
It requires careful planning, coordination between multiple agencies, and reliable technology to ensure the safety of astronauts.
Hernández’s statement about Mars exploration reflects the ongoing discussions and debates among experts in the field of space travel. While Elon Musk and SpaceX have ambitious plans for sending humans to Mars, Hernández’s more cautious timeline suggests that the path to Mars will be longer and more complex than Musk and other proponents of rapid space travel may admit.
Space exploration is a field that demands patience, resilience, and an incremental approach to innovation and technological development.
As of now, the focus of space agencies around the world remains on near-Earth missions and the long-term goal of establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon. NASA’s Artemis program is working towards sending astronauts back to the Moon by the mid-2020s, with the goal of setting up a permanent lunar base in preparation for future missions to Mars.
The lunar base would allow scientists and engineers to test critical technologies that could eventually be used on Mars, including life-support systems, habitat construction, and propulsion technologies.
For Mars missions, a variety of technological challenges must be addressed, including radiation protection, resource utilization, and long-duration life support. These technologies are still in the early stages of development and will require years of testing and refinement before they can be used for a Mars mission.
Despite the challenges, Hernández remains optimistic about the future of space exploration. He expressed his belief that the next two decades will bring exciting advancements in space technology and that humanity will eventually reach Mars.
However, he cautioned against rushing the process, emphasizing the importance of ensuring safety and proper preparation for such a monumental mission.
In the meantime, NASA continues to push forward with its plans for human space exploration. The upcoming Artemis missions, which will send astronauts to the Moon, are seen as a stepping stone towards Mars.
As technology continues to advance and our understanding of space deepens, the dream of reaching Mars may eventually become a reality, but for now, it remains a long-term goal.
