This is the kind of bat-shit crazy pioneering spirit that is sorely needed in the 21st century if humanity is ever to become a multi-planetary species. Sceptics said that man would never walk on the moon before 1970, but the same bat-shit crazy pioneering spirit that took hold during the space race of the 60s proved them all wrong. More power to the Inspiration Mars Foundation. I want to see this and more before my time on this backward little planet has expired. Go Fever!
'A unique window of opportunity for humankind will open in January 2018, and the Inspiration Mars Foundation intends to seize it, announcing plans to pursue a challenging manned mission to Mars and back. This historic 501-day journey around the Red Planet is made possible by a rare planetary alignment that occurs five years from now.
'Two professional crew members - one man, one woman - flying as private citizens will embark on what is known as a "fast, free-return" mission, passing within 100 miles of Mars before swinging back and safely returning to Earth. Target launch date is Jan. 5, 2018.
'Last week, officials with the Inspiration Mars Foundation, a new nonprofit organization founded by private space traveler Dennis Tito, announced their plans to pursue the audacious to provide a platform for unprecedented science, engineering and education opportunities, while reaching out to American youth to expand their visions of their own futures in space exploration.' (Mars Daily article).