[zxtang]

They plan to launch food supplies to Mars in 2016, 7 years before sending the astronauts and 2 years before they've even scouted out where to establish a settlement.

I don't understand why they would send the supplies there so early. Can anyone explain this timeline to me?

[rbanffy]

It's smart to launch supplies in low-energy orbits so as to increase the mass you can get to Mars for the same fuel budget. Humans have to transit quickly between the planets, but supplies can handle a much longer trip on a much less comfortable spacecraft and, to be there for the humans, they'll have to launch much earlier.

And yes, no sane human being would consider launching to Mars before a return vehicle is already settled at the destination and ready to take off. The return vehicle and its backup. And the habitats, supplies and everything else.

[loceng]

Make sure all things required for survival and a possible return already be there?