Lets say you had a budget of 20 billion dollars could you get to Mars?

Question

also please answer this question if your not to busy?

http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhCiVAzIU8aCQF9oD4pFdcnAFQx.;_ylv=3?qid=20080808040503AAaReP1

Answer 1

I could.  I'm not sure that NASA could.  I'm not into overhead like the government is. I'd put together a Scaled Composites like organization and get the job done. Engineers, not managers. I'd buy what is cheap and works without regard to national origin.  For example, i'd see if Russia could provide some Energia boosters. I would not use the Shuttle. I'd make the new stuff as needed. For example, i'd put up a cheap inflatable space station to check out rotation for artificial gravity. I want to know that my astronauts can function when they get there, not guess about bone loss. I'd also test out radiation shielding ideas.  But i might just go for brute force - massive amounts of shielding material.  Either launch it to orbit, or have a robot grab it from a passing asteroid.  And i'd put as much into the mission has 20 billion would buy.  It'd be awesome.

Answer 2

To your first question...B

Mar's surface is exposed to a lot of harmful radiation and would be

unhealthy for long-term occupation by humans.

To your second question: with the decrease in the value of the

dollar... probabvly not.

Answer 3

Yes, definitely.

Answer 4

Sure Bigelow Aerospace is selling there BA-330 inflatable habitat for 100 million each, i would need about 3 custom made ones, so i figure double the price for each one, then i would need some kind of rover or transportation when i get there, then i would have to worry about getting a miniature nuclear power plant because an RTG just wouldn't cut it for power production, ok now that i think about on the whole thing 20 billion might not be enough but there is always the sponsorship angle.