Closeness aside, the gravity on mars complicates a lot of things from landing to taking off - which currently dictates that this is a one-way trip. A moon base

Closeness aside, the gravity on mars complicates a lot of things from landing to taking off - which currently dictates that this is a one-way trip. A moon base is much simpler in both scenarios and return trips are achievable (has already been done FORTY YEARS AGO).