<P> In 2012, a Dutch entrepreneur group began raising funds for a human Mars base to be established in 2023 . One difference from many other humans - to - Mars projects is that the mission is intended to be primarily a settlement mission with no return trip to Earth planned . Astronaut applications were invited from the public all over the world . </P> <P> The initial plan included that a telecom orbiter and ISRU demonstration lander would be sent in 2018, followed by a rover in 2020, and the base components in 2024 . The base would be powered by 3,000 square meters of solar panels . Mars One suggested it could use a SpaceX Heavy rocket to launch flight hardware, . The first crew of four astronauts were to land on Mars in 2025 . Then, every two years, a new crew of four astronauts would arrive . Plans included selecting and training candidates, and that the entire mission is to be filmed and broadcast back to Earth as a media event . Revenues from broadcasting would help fund the program on top of private investments and monetizing IP rights . In April 2015, Lansdorp admitted that their 12 - year plan for landing humans on Mars by 2027 is mostly fiction . </P> <P> In 2013, the Inspiration Mars Foundation founded by Dennis Tito revealed plans of a manned mission to fly by Mars in 2018 with support from NASA . </P> <P> On December 2, 2014, NASA's Advanced Human Exploration Systems and Operations Mission Director Jason Crusan and Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs James Reuthner announced tentative support for the Boeing "Affordable Mars Mission Design" including radiation shielding, centrifugal artificial gravity, in - transit consumable resupply, and a lander which can return . Reuthner suggested that if adequate funding was forthcoming, the proposed mission would be expected in the early 2030s . </P>

How long will it take a manned spacecraft to reach mars