I’ve been digging into that era—Kármán, Goddard, von Braun—and I see how their reckless daring mirrors the risks of a first Martian colony. It could work if you frame the narrative around a single launch, the unexpected failures, and the psychological toll on a small crew. The tension of unknown red dust would add that extra layer of suspense. Just remember to keep the scientific detail tight; nothing makes a thriller feel hollow more than half‑baked tech.