SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launches for the Thales mission. (Photo : SpaceX)
Following the recent successful rocket launch and landing, Space X fans are expecting more from the aerospace company. The most prominent tease is an exploratory mission to Mars called the Mars Colonial Transporter.
Experts believe that the Mars Colonial Transporter will play a crucial role in the overall success of Space X. The plan is to send thousands of unmanned rovers into the Red Planet, a mission that could span at least a decade or two.
If this space venture ever achieves reality, it could mark a giant leap in establishing a secondary base for humanity in the solar system. Space X founder Elon Musk believes that the Mars project is crucial if the humankind wants to secure an alternate home against extinction due to planet-wide catastrophes, pandemics or asteroid strikes.
Early in 2016, Musk promised that Space X will unveil the prototypes of space vehicles that will be used in the mission to Mars. However, he said in a recent interview that the unveiling will be postponed until early in 2016.
Speaking with GQ, Musk said, "Before we announce it, I want to make sure that we're not gonna make really big changes to it."
According to Geek Wire, space geeks are speculating that the mission will hinge on two important elements. First is a booster that should be capable of sending at least 100 tons worth of payload to Mars. Second is a lander that is capable of carrying and safely landing that payload, which in theory should include at least 100 human passengers.
Space X has yet to reveal its plans regarding the Mars project. However, ardent fans of the company are expecting that it will launch by 2018.
