- Joined
- Dec 18, 2001
- Location
- Prattsville, NY
The reason for the rush is that August will see an “opposition” of Mars—the point at which it is closest to Earth. Launching in June makes for the shortest possible crossing. In fact, the majestic clockwork of Newtonian mechanics, combined with details of the elliptical orbits of the two planets, mean that this will be the closest approach between them for 60,000 years.
http://www.economist.com/science/displayStory.cfm?story_id=1811981
http://www.economist.com/science/displayStory.cfm?story_id=1811981