AH Challenge: Man on Mars

[tom]

Starting with Apollo 11, what TL could plausibly give us a human on Mars by 2004?

[Archangel Michael]

Maybe not have the Apollo 13 disastor, which would mean that a space disator could not happen that easily. Have nuclear engines used in the flight (like the Orion Project), and have a president that wants to go to Mars.

[Wiggy]

Starting with Apollo 11, what TL could plausibly give us a human on Mars by 2004?

A continued space race. No detente in orbit. The Russians manage to land on the moon and announce plans for an earth orbital station in preparation for a run to Mars. Instead of "Been there, done that." after multiple trips to the moon, the Americans re-focus their efforts on Mars. The race is back on and the Russians are motivated after losing the moon round – after all Mars is the "Red" planet.