Journey to Mars 'worth the risk': Nasa

Miami

THE National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) on Thursday outlined the many challenges that remain before humans can set foot on Mars, calling the problems "solvable" but setting no firm date for an astronaut mission to the Red Planet.

Updated details of the US space agency's Mars strategy were contained in a 36-page document released to the public ahead of upcoming talks with Congress about budgets for space exploration and a major international meeting of the space industry to be held in Jerusalem next week.

The United States is "closer to sending American astronauts to Mars than at any point in our history", said Nasa administrator Charles Bolden. "In the coming weeks, I look forward to continuing to discuss the details of our plan with members of Congr…