A Shortcut to Mars Has Been Discovered — It Could Cut Travel Time in Half

A trip to Mars has always sounded like one of humanity’s greatest adventures, but also one of its hardest logistical problems. Under current mission plans, astronauts may need around seven to ten months just to reach Mars, then wait for Earth and Mars to line up again before returning. That can stretch a full round trip to nearly three years, creating serious challenges for supplies, radiation exposure, crew health, and mission cost.

A new study, however, suggests there may be a faster way. Inspired by early asteroid trajectory data, researcher Marcelo de Oliveira Souza explored possible Mars routes that could dramatically shorten the journey. The most striking scenario points to a 2031 mission window where astronauts could travel to Mars, spend about a month on the surface, and return to Earth in roughly 153 days.