Bill Nye Plans Human Visit to Mars by 2033 With Planetary Society Board of Directors

By the year 2033, Bill Nye and a group of approximately 70 space experts plans to send a bold assembly of humans into Mars's orbit. After a successful career as the comedic and informative Bill Nye the Science Guy, he dabbled in Dancing with the Stars, delivering college speeches and, more scientifically, upholding his position of CEO of the Planetary Society. The man who once took children on a cosmic journey in the classroom is now attempting to make that journey come to life.

With the help of the group's board of directors, discussions erupted concerning cost effectiveness and a general plan for "Humans Orbiting Mars."

"Getting humans to Mars is far more complex than getting to Earth's moon," said Nye, reported UPI. "But space exploration brings out the best in us. By reaching consensus on the right set of missions, we can send humans to Mars without breaking the bank."

With a potential expiration of the International Space Station in 2024, the trip to Mars may be more affordable. The trip demands a two-launch-per-year system with the Space Launch System that will be put to the test in 2018, according to NBC News. Although the goal is to orbit the fourth planet from the sun, a brief landing on the red planet is possible upon arrival in 2039. To prepare for a daunting task, moon landings could serve as good practice.

"It's important to keep the Space Launch System rocket on track, and to allow competition from SpaceX and Orbital and Boeing and the other corporations making big rockets," Nye said.

Along with rocker Jon Bon Jovi, Nye will be one of a few guest speakers at the Rutgers University commencement ceremony May 17 and will receive an honorary doctor of science degree.

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