title: Humans to Mars: a feasibility and cost-benefit analysis.
abstract: Mars is a compelling astrobiological target, and a human mission would provide an opportunity to collect immense amounts of scientific data. Exploration alone, however, cannot justify the increased risk. Instead, three factors drive a human mission: economics, education, and exploration. A human mission has a unique potential to inspire the next generation of young people to enter critically needed science and engineering disciplines. A mission is economically feasible, and the research and development program put in place for a human mission would propel growth in related high-technology industries. The main hurdles are human physiological responses to 1-2 years of radiation and microgravity exposure. However, enabling technologies are sufficiently mature in these areas that they can be developed within a few decade timescale. Hence, the decision of whether or not to undertake a human mission to Mars is a political decision, and thus, educational and economic benefits are the crucial factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA. bethany.ehlmann@wustl.edu
authors.forename: Bethany L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Ehlmann
authors.forename: Jeeshan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
authors.forename: Timothy C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Marzullo
authors.forename: R Eric
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Litzenberger
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ibsen
authors.forename: Wendy R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Krauser
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: DeKock
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hannon
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kinnevan
authors.forename: Rebekah
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shepard
authors.forename: F Douglas
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Grant
mesh_terms: D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D003264:Containment of Biohazards; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D018535:Mars; D011835:Radiation Protection; D013026:Space Flight / Q000191:economics* / Q000193:education; D018531:Spacecraft; D014481:United States; D018557:United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration / Q000191:economics*; D014867:Water; D014893:Weightlessness
chemical_list: D014867:Water