Should Humans Go to Mars?

• Author: Green, James

A human mission to Mars once seemed the stuff of science fiction. But thanks to major advancements, reaching-and surviving on-the Red Planet could become a reality in our lifetime. NASA, the U.S. space agency, and several private companies are already developing the technology to make such a trip possible.

But while most experts agree that we'll one day be able to send humans to Mars, not all of them think we should. Two scientists weigh in.

YES NASA has been sending robots to study and collect information about Mars since 1965. The findings have inspired scientists to continue asking important questions, such as: Did life once exist on Mars? Does it exist there today? Could humans eventually live on Mars? What can the planet tell us about Earth's past, present, and future?

Many scientists agree that only human explorers can answer these questions. Although robots have been extremely helpful in studying Mars--they discovered ice below the planet's surface--people will be even better.

For one thing, humans will be able to make quicker decisions, without having to rely on commands from scientists on Earth, like robots do. What can take a rover days and weeks to analyze, a person can study in just hours. Humans will also be able to move around the planet much faster. The Curiosity rover, which is currently exploring Mars, can only travel about the length of a football field in one day.

However, getting humans to Mars and keeping them safe will require advances in technology. Not only is Mars very far away, it also lacks breathable air, usable water, and protection from the sun. A round-trip to Mars would take about 18 months, and there isn't enough room on current spacecraft to carry all the food, water, and other items humans would need to survive. That's why NASA is looking for ways to utilize the Martian soil and water, as well as other resources.

Exploring space is beneficial for all of us. At NASA, we're confident that one day humans will be able to travel to Mars, live and work there, and return safely to Earth. It's just a matter of time.

--JAMES GREEN Chief Scientist, NASA

NO It's important to explore Mars, and humans play a valuable role in that research. Though robotic spacecraft can do a lot, they lack the critical intuition, lifetime experience, and decision-making skills that humans have. But sending people to Mars for long periods of time would be extremely unsafe, and we shouldn't do it.

Space is a very hazardous place for...