A study by Brazilian cosmologist Marcelo de Oliveira Souza suggests that a faster route to Mars may be based on the path of an asteroid, 2001 CA21. The asteroid crosses the Earth’s and Mars orbits at a slight tilt, offering a well-worn hiking path through the solar system. The study suggests that by modeling a spacecraft trajectory that stays as close to this path as possible, it could significantly reduce travel time. The next most promising window for this mission is in 2031, when the alignment of the planets and the asteroid’�s orbital geometry is aligned. However, there are significant challenges to consider, including fuel efficiency, and whether humans would survive the journey even if it was significantly shorter.