NASA advisor deems Musk’s Mars timeline unrealistic

A NASA advisor has criticized Elon Musk's plans to send humans to Mars, saying they are unrealistic. Musk, the founder of SpaceX, has claimed that a multi-planetary civilization could be established in 20 to 30 years. However, Dr. Paul Sutter, a cosmologist and advisor to NASA, argues that Musk's timelines lack a solid foundation in reality. In an opinion piece, Sutter compared Musk's plans to announcing a camping trip without any preparation. He noted that although SpaceX has made progress in rocket technology, there are many obstacles to overcome before reaching Mars. The Starship spacecraft, for example, has faced issues during test flights, including several explosions. Sutter emphasized the significant distance to Mars, saying it is much farther away than the Moon. He explained that Starship will need to refuel in orbit before making the journey, a technology that is still being developed. Additionally, no spacecraft has successfully landed on Mars with a crew, and rigorous safety testing will be required before humans can travel. Some scientists echo Sutter's concerns. Former astronaut José Hernández stated that a Mars mission is at least 15 years away, highlighting the need for advancements in space travel technology. Others, like Bill Nye, have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of colonizing Mars. Meanwhile, some experts remain hopeful. Hoppy Price from NASA believes Mars missions could happen within our lifetime. Robert Zubrin, president of The Mars Society, argues that while transportation systems are being developed, the necessary support systems for life on Mars are still lacking. Despite differing opinions, the future of Mars exploration remains unclear. Musk himself has previously stated it could take decades to build a self-sustaining civilization on the planet. While the idea of visiting Mars is exciting, scientists caution that significant challenges remain before it becomes a reality.