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British scientist Hawking says Mars will be colonized by humans in next 100 years

"Although colonizing the Moon would be simpler, it is only 3 days away, Mars represents a more interesting challenge," Stephen Hawking said in an interview with TASS

© EPA/NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

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Stephen Hawking: I was impressed that Russia was ahead of America in the space race

CAMBRIDGE, March 28. /TASS/. Mars will be colonized by humans in the next 100 years, famous British scientist Stephen Hawking said in an exclusive interview with TASS on Monday.

"NASA, and other space agencies around the world, are focused on Mars. It is our closest earth-like planet, with soil and an atmosphere. Although colonizing the Moon would be simpler, it is only 3 days away, Mars represents a more interesting challenge, and would require the colony to be truly self-sufficient," Hawking said.

"Within 100 years, I have no doubt, there will be humans living on Mars. To do this we need investment, allowing us to advance our knowledge, on how to survive the dangers of cosmic radiation, body deterioration, and how to deal with the lack of vital supplies beyond Earth," he concluded.

***

The full text of the interview is available here.

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