President Trump and Elon Musk have reignited interest in a crewed mission to Mars, despite significant challenges and their recent disagreements. The mission aims to explore whether Mars ever hosted life, study its surface evolution, and address broader space physics questions. Geopolitical factors also play a role, with Trump emphasizing American leadership in space. However, critics argue that budget cuts and project cancellations, like the return of Perseverance's rock samples, hinder the scientific goals. Musk's Starship, crucial for the mission, faces technical hurdles, including landing its upper stage and demonstrating in-orbit refueling, leading to skepticism about his ambitious 2026 timeline.
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