How long must a crew typically wait on the Martian surface for an efficient return alignment?
Answer
Over a year and a half
A round trip to Mars requires a substantial surface stay for the crew because they cannot simply turn around and return immediately after landing. If they attempted an immediate return, they would miss Earth in its current orbital position, arriving far behind where Earth has moved. To ensure an efficient return trajectory that aligns with the next favorable launch geometry, the crew must wait on the Martian surface. This necessary waiting period typically extends for over a year and a half, significantly increasing the total mission duration beyond just the transit times.
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