While Nasa says the first manned trip to Mars could take place as early as 2035, the second man to walk on the moon has urged them to wait.

Buzz Aldrin told Dailymail.com he believes that mankind should head for the red planet in 2040, but not until we explore and build habitats on the moon with the other space agencies of the world first.

Aldrin said this mission should be an international collaboration and the input of big businesses, then a human colony could be established on Mars.

Scroll down for video

Buzz Aldrin believes that mankind should head for the red planet in 2040,but not until we explore and build habitats on the moon. Aldrin feels this mission should be an international collaboration and the input of big businesses, a human colony could be established on Mars

WHAT IS ALDRIN'S PLAN FOR THE 2040 TRIP TO MARS? Aldrin and other experts believe Nasa is overlooking an important part of space exploration: a permanent, manned base on the moon that would prepare us for the mission to Mars. He suggests establishing stations on either side of the moon and helping other nations create habitats as they've landed and hooking them together, as this is how Aldrin feels we will be ready for the red planet. Aldrin believes putting a fuel depot on the moon will be easier and more cost effective. Craters near the moon's poles are permanently shrouded in darkness and it's believed they hold large quantities of water ice, which can be transformed into rocket fuel. Advertisement

'Mars cannot be done by one nation alone,' said Aldrin.

'There is no greater endeavor that humanity will undertake for generations to come than to create a permanent presence on another planet.'

'No other task can unite the great nations of the world together in purely peaceful way.'

'It will be a truly global venture. I believe that all spacefaring nations of today and tomorrow can contribute meaningfully to this venture but I believe the USA and NASA will lead the way with our expertise.'

Aldrin and other experts believe Nasa is overlooking an important part of space exploration: a permanent, manned base on the moon that would prepare us for the mission to Mars.

'We have to get a space program underway that directs us towards doing things on the moon before we go directly to Mars,' Aldrin said.

'We need to help other nations explore the moon, while we learn what we can from previous expeditions.'

'It must be a program that enables us to assist other nations, not compete with them.'

He suggests establishing stations on either side of the moon and helping other nations create habitats as they've landed and hooking them together, as this is how Aldrin feels we will be ready for the red planet.

'We need to do dress-rehearsals with those nations that are capable of carrying out Mars landings before they go in orbit around the moon,' Aldrin said.

'We have to get a space program underway that directs us towards doing things on the moon before we go directly to Mars,' Aldrin told DailyMail Aldrin and other experts believe Nasa is overlooking an important part of space exploration: a permanent, manned base on the moon that would prepare us for the mission to Mars

'Once we are capable of successfully assembling things on the lunar surface, that is when we will be ready to go to Mars.'

The retired astronaut doesn't just have a strategic plan on what to do, he has a concept on how to get to Mars.

'They want a fuel depot away from the moon, but I believe it will be much easier to do it on the lunar surface,' Aldrin said.

It is estimated people on Mars initially could only produce 15% or 20% of what they need to eat, meaning Earth would need to supply them continually. There would be little to be gained from just sending people to the planet (illustratd) and bringing them back, as Nasa did with the moon landings, Dr Aldrin added

'Ice can be collected from the permanent dark areas of the craters, which can then be turned into rocket fuel.'

Craters near the moon's poles are permanently shrouded in darkness and it's believed they hold large quantities of water ice.

THE JOURNEY TO MARS Owing to the orbits of Earth and Mars there are specific windows of opportunity when a mission can take place. Our planets come as close to each other as 33.9 million miles (54.6 million km), but can be as distant as 250 million miles (400 million km). For this reason spacecraft to Mars, such as the Curiosity rover, have to launch in certain windows when the planets are aligned. The next window is open from January 2016 to April 2016, and will see the launch of two more missions to the red planet. For a future manned mission, they will need to launch out in one of the windows and return in one, which will take two years in total. Just getting there will take up to nine months. The astronauts will be there waiting for a year until they can come back - a total of around three years. Advertisement

This ice can be processed into hydrogen and oxygen molecules, two key ingredients for rocket fuel, which could be used as a pit stop where spaceships fill up the tanks before making the long trip to Mars.

Not only is this an easier route, exploring lunar resources could greatly cut costs of space travel and will push other nations to travel to the moon.

It would also allow for a reservoir of safe, clean water for travelers.

Aldrin has also developed the 'Aldrin Mars Cycler', which is a system that would cycle a spacecraft between Earth and Mars.

'The Aldrin Mars Cycler would start as the transfer between Earth and Mars,' he explained.

'It would swing by both planets, the carry on its own momentum – with some nudges of thrust'.

'It would take just five months to get from Earth to Mars and we would make this trip every 26 months because there would be two cycles going – one bringing astronauts back from and one taking them there.'

Not only does this rocket scientist have his eyes on the moon, this week he had eyes on a winning March Madness bracket.

Aldrin was invited back his old stomping grounds, the Space Center Houston, to pick his first ever bracket alongside sports icon and ESPN college basketball analyst, Dick Vital.

Aldrin has also developed the 'Aldrin Mars Cycler' (pictured), which is a system that would cycle a spacecraft between Earth and Mars. 'It would take just five months to get from Earth to Mars and we would make this trip every 26 months because there would be two cycles going

'They want a fuel depot away from the moon, but I believe it will be much easier to do it on the lunar surface,' Aldrin said.'Ice can be collected from the permanent dark areas of the craters, which can then be turned into rocket fuel'

'By looking at history, I have reason to suspect it will by Kansas, Oklahoma, Michigan State and University of North Carolina,' said Aldrin.

'My top pick is Michigan State, but they will first have to beat UNC.'

'And I would really like to see Seaton Hall do better, because they are from New Jersey.'

This is the fourth annual Allstate March Mayhem Challenge, and just like past years they are providing players with a statistical analysis tool to help them with the bracket-building process.

Not only does this rocket scientist have his eyes on the moon, this week he had eyes on a winning March Madness bracket. Aldrin (right) was invited back his old stomping grounds, the Space Center Houston, to pick his first ever bracket alongside sports icon and ESPN college basketball analyst, Dick Vital (left)

'I don't know a lot about college basketball – certainly not as much as my competitor – so my bracket strategy will be centered on what I do know,' Aldrin said.

'While Mr. Vitale may have the empirical knowledge based on his experience, my approach will be rooted in a probability and statistical analysis around this year's tournament.