Millionaire and pioneering space tourist Dennis Tito dreams big. You could even say his ideas are out of this world. So much so that the 72 year-old has started the first 501(c)3 non-profit aimed at space exploration. According to its website, the Inspiration Mars Foundation believes in the exploration of space as a catalyst for growth, national prosperity, knowledge, and global leadership.
What exactly does an aerospace NGO focus on? In the case of Tito’s organization, they’re spearheading the first manned trip to Mars. The aptly named “Mission for America” is expected to launch on January 5, 2018. The 501 day journey will coincide with an orbital alignment of Earth and Mars, creating a potentially seamless free-return orbit opportunity. The next such alignment won’t occur until 2031.
Tito envisions a two person crew – one man and one woman, ideally married – to embark on this historic voyage to the red planet. Despite the length of the trip, the crew will not attempt to enter Mar’s atmosphere or land on its soil. Rather it will pass by the planet from 100 miles out and then use the planet’s gravitational pull to slingshot the ship on return course for Earth.
There are intuitively several risks involved in such a daring mission – Tito and Inspiration Mars understand that:
“There are risks associated with the mission, as is true of every space exploration mission. But these are exactly the kinds of risks that America should be willing to take in order to advance our knowledge, experience and position as a world leader…We are steadfastly committed to the safety, health and overall well-being of our crew. We will only fly this mission if we are convinced that it is safe to do.”
The foundation plans to partner with NASA and is encouraging them contribute to the overall mission. NASA’s knowledge and experience is key to the success of the mission. But it will also aim to raise the majority of its funds through private donations.
There’s still much to be seen, including whether or not other countries will try to get in on the race to Mars, but it’s apparent that space exploration is no longer a government monopoly. In the words of the great Buzz Lightyear, “To infinity and beyond.” Or at least to Mars.
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