The Ares 2 will have already been
launched (months earlier) and be hurdling toward Mars as Ares 3 is being launched.
Ares 3 will be carrying the spacecraft "Beagle" which will hold the first four
humans to go to Mars. The main component of the "Beagle" will be a habitat
which will be approximately 1,000 sq. ft. in living area and split up between two
decks. This will comfortably accomodate the first four inhabitants. This
facility will recycle both water and oxygen and hold a store of dehydrated, emergency
rations. Also, it will house a pressurized rover powered by a methane/oxygen
internal combustion engine.
The four man crew will contain two field scientists and two mechanics. The two scientists, a geologist and biogeochemist, will complement a pilot who is also a competent flight engineer. The final member will be a jack - of - all - trades. He will primarily be a flight engineer but will also be able to conduct medical treatments and will understand the scientific investigations of the mission. The Ares 3 will lift of in a fury of fire and a huge cheer by the onlooking audience. Then, 330 meters along its way the habitat and boosters will break away with a rocket burst and once in space it will undergo a burst to cause it to rotate and give the astronauts artificial gravity comparable to that on Mars.