New Mars Forums

Hello !

How would a manned mars mission look like using a VASMIR propulsion or another form of electrical propulsion ? What kind of launch vehicle would be used ? Do we need to send the earth return vehicle or equipment before, like in a Mars Direct mission ? How long would take the travel and the whole mission ? What about trajectory, launch opportunities and launch mass ? Would the mission be more flexible than a Mars Direct scenario ? And how would such a mars mission look like using a very fast spaceship (for example an americium-based space vehicle which is theoritically able to travel to mars in 2 weeks). I read somewhere that some ion-engine could shorten the trip to 1 month ?