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From today's perspective, sending people to Mars will be, more than anything, part of a new space race.

• nine_k 2y ago
  A race suggests the presence of at least two participants that are running at the same time. As of now, I only see one contender with any chance to make it to the start line. Maybe in 30-50 years there will be a race to build and sustain Mars bases, and attain some control of the territory there.
  • thegrim33 2y ago
    China just built their own space station and is racing the US to be the first to put boots back on the moon. Then there's the militarization of space and everything that's been going on there. The US wouldn't have its current moon plans and timeline if China wasn't also trying to put humans back there; it's all been timed to beat China by a year or so.
    • nine_k 2y ago
      Certainly there is a space race, but it's mostly around Earth and somehow around Moon. I don't see anyone but Mr Musk seriously trying to settle on Mars, so no race there. OTOH the Starship is also going to be a major player in the Earth and Moon business. Even just on Earth, it's basically capable of landing a few hundred tons of cargo and passengers anywhere on the planet within an hour or so. Or will be, once the landing gear is attached. It may have interesting military consequences.