Reader’s Digest UK – July 2019

JULY 2019 • 81

READER’S DIGEST

not living there permanently, but
in rotation," he predicts. "Then
around 40 years until there's a small
permanent colony, most likely from
the private sector. SpaceX says it will
be less, but most analysts think this
is optimistic. One disaster could set
all of this back by up to a decade."
However, it's also worth noting
that companies like SpaceX have
proved sceptics wrong in the past.

"The demonstration of fully reusable

rockets by both SpaceX and Blue

Origins was a game-changer,"

admits Professor Impey. "This will

dramatically lower the cost to orbit

per kilo and enable a viable business

model of high-end space tourism."

It's a great example of how the

developments which are helping us

make life on Mars a reality are having

a much more immediate impact

Yutu 2 Lunar rover descendant of the

China`s Chang e 4 lunar probe landed on

the surface of the moon on January 3, 2019