Boeing says it needs six phases to Mars – The Associated Press

Written by Nicholas Valdés

December 12, 2014, 14:57 Washington, December 12 (PL) The US aerospace company Boeing, which prepares future missions to Mars, today released a video that explains in six steps how to undertake a mission to return to the Red Planet.

 The video, posted on Youtube digital portal, reports that two of the necessary (Orion spacecraft and rocket SRS) parts already in production.

The remaining four phases (a large space tug, a habitat a inflatable shield for entry into the Martian atmosphere and a team that allows landing) are conceptual stage.

Boeing is the prime contractor for SRS rocket that will carry the weight of the mission to Mars Space Administration National Aeronautics and (NASA) hopes to launch in 20 years.

Michael Raftery, director of Boeing for space exploration systems, said in the video that the tug will be needed to carry the Orion spacecraft and other equipment into Martian orbit, so it will be endowed with huge solar panels and use solar power or ion propulsion.

Today in a classroom one person is between 10 and 20 years old, who will be the first to set foot on Mars. And it’s very exciting to think what life will be that person, Raftery said

pgh / nvo.