Humans could touch down on Mars by 2040, according to Buzz Aldrin.

Dr Aldrin, who in 1969 became the second man to set foot on the moon, believes those born around the year 2000 will be the first to make the journey to the red planet.

Speaking at the Science Museum in London, the 86-year-old described getting to the solar system's second smallest planet as the "easy part."

Buzz Aldrin joins Professor Brian Cox on stage at the Science Museum Credit: PA

He believes that through international collaboration on Earth a human colony could even be established on Mars.

But that would require people willing to stay there for long periods in order for the colony to become self sufficient.

Dr Aldrin does not think getting to the planet itself would be too difficult.

"That is the easy part. We know how to do that, we know how to get people there. It is being able to sustain yourself," he said.

"(Getting there) is very realistic, in my mind."