MarsDrive

MarsDrive is an interesting addition to the space community. First, it's based in Australia. There are a few prominent Aussie space scientists and advocates, but being based Down Under gives MarsDrive a slightly different twist. What's most interesting about the group, however, is its vision for settling Mars sooner rather than later. MarsDrive and its chief, Frank Stafford, argue for a public-private consortium that would lead the effort. The key to the success of such a program, Stafford insists, is to maintain public support over decades. He points to the drop of public support for Apollo after two or three Moon landings because the public saw nothing in the way of a real benefit coming its way. At that time, NASA had the resources and experience to establish a lunar base and go on to Mars within another decade or so. A program led by the private sector, not getting ahead of public support, MarsDrive argues, is the way to get to the Red Planet.