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Earth and Mars line up for a transfer in 48 days. Here is the whole profile, solved by our own engine rather than looked up: 294 days out, C3 of 9.1, arrival in August 2027.
The rule of thumb everyone repeats. We measured 116 real oppositions with our own engine and the gaps run from 766 to 804 days — a spread of more than five weeks.
The best day to leave for Mars is 113 days BEFORE the two planets are closest. Every intuition says wait for the short crossing. The mechanics say go early.