text: when will it be possible to send a manned spaceship to mars?   not for some time. there are a number of problems in the way:  * the amount of fuel needed to make the trip:  * weakening of astronaut's muscles caused by months in zero gravity;  * the cost;  * dangers of catching cancer due to radiation.  george w. bush made an announcement of a trip to mars in the future in january 2004 while the european space agency is talking about a mission by 2030.