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Why did none of the 1900s Mars trip plans ever get paid for?

Research question: What Mars crewed mission plans were studied in the twentieth century, and why did none of them get funded?

The records show that the Soviet Union ordered development of the Aelita project in 1969, which planned a crewed five-person Mars flight for 1985 ¹. Von Braun's 1948 Mars expedition envisioned ten spacecraft and 70 crew, and he published it as Das Marsprojekt in 1952 ⁷¹². NASA also conducted studies throughout its history aimed at landing an astronaut on Mars ⁶, so the premise that none were studied is not supported. The facts give specific funding reasons: the Soviet effort ended after the N-1 rocket programme needed for such missions was closed in 1974 ³, and von Braun's advocated program was discontinued over financing problems partly tied to the Vietnam War ¹⁰, while Congressional budget cuts disappointed him enough to leave NASA in 1972 ¹¹. The newest fact is from 2001, about 25 years before October 2026, so the records do not show the status of Mars crewed planning since then ⁵.

Checked 2026-10-19. Only documented and supported facts are used.

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Sources

[1] supported

In 1969 the Soviet minister of general machine building ordered development of a project called 'Aelita', which planned a crewed Mars flight of five people for 1985.

"В 1969 году (после первой американской высадки на Луну) появился приказ № 232 министра общего машиностроения С. А. Афанасьева о разработке проекта «Аэлита». Полёт пяти людей на Марс был заявлен на 1985 год"

Пилотируемый полёт на Марс

[2] supported

Some hold the view that crewed flights produce no scientific benefit and serve only political goals.

"Существует также мнение, что пилотируемые полеты не дают научного эффекта и служат лишь политическим целям."

Пилотируемый космический полёт

[3] supported

The Soviet Mars expedition work ended because the N-1 super-heavy rocket programme, which was needed for such missions, was closed in 1974.

"Однако в 1974 году программа разработки Н-1 была закрыта, а вместе с ней была прекращена разработка экспедиции на Марс."

Пилотируемый полёт на Марс

[4] supported

In 1961 some planetary expedition plans (including Venus and Moon missions) were halted so design bureaus could concentrate on defence-related tasks.

"были прекращены 13 мая 1961 года для сосредоточения усилий конструкторских бюро на задачах оборонного значения"

Пилотируемый полёт на Марс

[5] supported

Space enthusiasts were presenting feasible proposals for human missions to Mars as early as the 1950s.

"Space enthusiasts have shared this dream and as early as the 1950s were presenting feasible proposals for human missions to Mars."

Eyes on the Red Planet: Human Mars Mission Planning, 1952-1970 (2001)

[6] supported

NASA has conducted studies throughout its history aimed at landing an astronaut on Mars.

"Throughout its history, NASA has conducted studies aimed at landing an astronaut on Mars."

Eyes on the Red Planet: Human Mars Mission Planning, 1952-1970 (2001)

[7] supported

Von Braun's Mars expedition envisioned a fleet of 10 spacecraft and a total crew of 70 people.

"Die von von Braun skizzierte gewaltige wissenschaftliche Expedition zum Mars sah eine Flotte von 10 Raumfahrzeugen (7 für Passagiere und 3 Versorgungsraketen, die alle im Orbit zusammengebaut werden sollten) und eine Besatzung von insgesamt 70 Mann vor."

Das Marsprojekt

[8] documented

The document includes a figure summarizing four previously published Mars mission scenarios.

"Figure 3 . 1 . 1 - 3 . A summary of four published Mars scmarios."

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) 19930008967: Pax permanent Martian base: Space architecture for the first human habitation on Mars, volume 5 (1992)

[9] supported

The document presents a recommended integration of previously published Mars scenarios.

"Figure 3.1. 2 - 2 . A recommended integration of previously published Mars scenarios."

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) 19930008967: Pax permanent Martian base: Space architecture for the first human habitation on Mars, volume 5 (1992)

[10] supported

Von Braun advocated a crewed Mars mission while working in a NASA advisory office on the future of US spaceflight, but the program was discontinued because of financing problems, partly due to the ongoing Vietnam War.

"Dort setzte er sich für eine bemannte Mars-Mission ein. Das Programm wurde jedoch wegen Finanzierungsproblemen – nicht zuletzt durch den andauernden Vietnamkrieg – eingestellt."

Wernher von Braun

[11] supported

Von Braun left NASA in 1972 because he was disappointed by sharp budget cuts imposed by the US Congress.

"Enttäuscht von den starken Budgetkürzungen durch den US-Kongress, verließ er 1972 die NASA"

Wernher von Braun

[12] supported

In 1952 von Braun published a study of an interplanetary expedition to Mars, titled Das Marsprojekt.

"Das Marsprojekt. Studie einer interplanetarischen Expedition . Frankfurt am Main 1952."

Wernher von Braun