Riding Asteroids To Mars and Venus Like A Bus Can Be Better Than Using Starship, Scientists Suggest

Ukrainian scientists, Kasianchuk and Reshetnyk, propose riding asteroids to Mars and Venus to save operational costs. While the idea might sound a bit bizarre, they trust the intellect behind their science.

Recent research suggests that eliminating the need for a spaceship can reduce the cost-per-trip to Mars from Earth.

Riding Asteroids to Mars: Revolutionary Plan for Affordable Space Travel

Two scientists from the University of Kyiv in Ukraine have published a paper that analyses the orbit of over 35,000 asteroids. Their work deals with studying and observing these celestial objects to identify the possibility of them making an Earth-Mars trip.

Already, there are over 120 asteroids that AS Kasianchuk and VM Reshetnyk have shortlisted in hopes that they will serve the purpose of this study.

The timing and calculations of these trips with asteroids will need to be accurate for the journey to succeed. Asteroids move freely in space, so the calculations need to identify when the asteroid will pass Earth, its speed, and its course to Mars.

Possible dangers of a spaceship trip to Mars

Using a traditional spaceship to get to Mars and back will take approximately three years, covering a 450 million km journey. Such a trip will expose astronauts en route to radiation and microgravity, leading to muscle and bone density loss.

Astronauts on the trip might also develop heart-related issues on their reentry into Earth.

Aside from the health-related problems, there are also concerns about the financial burden this trip comes with.

The cost of building a spaceship can complete the journey, powering it through the journey and catering for the occupants over three years. AS Kasianchuk and VM Reshetnyk believe that all these issues won’t be faced if the trip is made using an asteroid.

Advertised benefits of an asteroid trip to Mars

According to the research work of these scientists, asteroids are a safer and faster transportation option for trips to Mars.

These Ukrainian scientists believe that a trip to Mars can be completed within the space of 180 days. This will cut operational costs and reduce exposure to radioactive materials, keeping astronauts safe.

Astronauts can also rely on the asteroid to fuel their attaching vessels and protect them from harmful space elements.