I can provide you with an assessment based on the information available.
Going to Mars and returning to Earth is an ambitious goal that requires overcoming numerous technological, logistical, and physiological challenges. While significant progress has been made in space exploration, there are still several key hurdles that need to be addressed before crewed missions to Mars can become a reality.
One of the major challenges is the long-duration space travel itself, as a round trip to Mars could take several years. Ensuring the health and safety of astronauts during such a lengthy journey, including the effects of microgravity and radiation exposure, remains a significant concern. Developing advanced life support systems, propulsion technologies, and shielding mechanisms to protect astronauts from radiation are areas of active research.
Additionally, there are technical challenges related to landing on Mars, sustaining human presence on the planet, and launching from its surface to return to Earth. These include the development of efficient landing systems, the establishment of a sustainable habitat, and the ability to generate resources such as water, oxygen, and fuel on Mars.
Considering the complexity of these challenges and the time required for research, development, testing, and mission planning, it is difficult to predict with certainty whether humans will have the capability to go to Mars and return to Earth by 2060. However, many space agencies, including NASA and private companies like SpaceX, have expressed their intentions to send crewed missions to Mars within the next few decades. These organizations are actively working on the necessary technologies and conducting research to make this ambitious goal a reality.
It's important to note that the timeline for space exploration can be influenced by various factors, including technological advancements, funding availability, policy decisions, and unforeseen obstacles. So, while it's challenging to provide a definitive answer, continued progress in space exploration suggests that crewed missions to Mars and back to Earth could be within the realm of possibility in the coming decades.