Doubtful. Russia can barely fund the program they have today. They have to rely on NASA and space tourists paying $10 million per ride just to keep the program alive. A trip to Mars would take hundreds of millions of dollars to plan, test and execute.

My money is on China making it to Mars first. I can see them bypassing some of the ethical considerations around astronauts lives. I would expect them to launch numerous missions within the next 10 years and not tell anyone what is happening until they have either succeded or the news somehow leaks out.

I believe the Russains are completely capable. The American philosiphy of building something is to just throw money at everything to make the biggest, best and brightest. If a small bulb burns out, it will cost $10million to repair and develop a bulb that doesn't burn out (i refer to NASA spending millions on making a space pen where the russians use a pencil).

Russia for many years has been able to keep up with the USA technologically on a much smaller budget. The best way to get to Mars is with a global contribution. Russian and European cost saving knowhow with American determination and finances. China wouldn't stand a chance.

Agree, a global co-operation would be the best way.

However, it appears from this article that the Russkies are taking it very seriously by simulating a trip to Mars in its entirety.

Russia could do it despite money and technology concerns...

Russians are hardcore about doing thing cheap and easy. Even if they have to stuff a guy in a steel bubble with a tank of O2 they will try.

American likes to do things precisly but at minimal risk. Russians tend to think the goal is greater than high risk.