Eight months is brutal. Yet that isn't even one leg of a round trip Mars mission, unless nuclear propulsion is used. Still a giant problem we have to figure out. We are not colonizing the solar system on chemical rockets alone.

[–] FishLake@lemmygrad.ml 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

We don’t just need better propulsion. The human body needs gravity. Not to mention shielding from radiation. Both of those things are doable, but I doubt there’s the political will in Washington to keep astronauts safe. If China planned on sending people to Mars in the future then America would strap a few people into a rocket propelled shoebox and honor the completely broken human when/if they get home.

[–] TimeSquirrel@kbin.melroy.org 0 points 3 weeks ago

Maybe they can just tether two ships together and have them rotate around a common CoG like a bucket swinging around on a string. Wouldn't be that expensive. The radiation I'm not sure, maybe they can create a "safe room" on the ship surrounded by their water reserves.

The tether thing is so simple I'm surprised it wasn't in use decades ago. I think I remember them confirming it being a viable option on Gemini when they tested it being tethered to the test vehicle.

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