How long would it take to get to Mars?

References & Edit History

Images

Earth and Mars, seen from NASA's Galileo and Mars Global Survey orbiters

Diagram showing the orbits of Earth and Mars around the Sun with a rocket's trajectory between them, illustrating why Mars launch windows occur every 26 months. Text explains timing for closest approach.

How long would it take to get to Mars?: Media

Images

Earth and Mars, seen from NASA's Galileo and Mars Global Survey orbiters

Earth and Mars, seen from NASA's Galileo and Mars Global Survey orbiters

A composite image of Earth and Mars.

NASA

Interactives

Diagram showing the orbits of Earth and Mars around the Sun with a rocket's trajectory between them, illustrating why Mars launch windows occur every 26 months. Text explains timing for closest approach.

Hohmann transfer orbit to get to Mars

The Hohmann transfer orbit is the most energy-efficient path from Earth to Mars....

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.