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Scientists Propose One-Way Trips To Mars

vortex2.71 writes "Invoking the spirit of Star Trek in a scholarly article entitled 'To Boldly Go,' two scientists contend human travel to Mars could happen much more quickly and cheaply if the missions are made one-way. They argue that it would be little different from early settlers to North America, who left Europe with little expectation of return. 'The main point is to get Mars exploration moving,' said Dirk Schulze-Makuch of Washington State University, who wrote the article in the latest Journal of Cosmology with Paul Davies of Arizona State University. The colleagues state — in one of 55 articles in the issue devoted to exploring Mars — that humans must begin colonizing another planet as a hedge against a catastrophe on Earth."

33 of 839 comments (clear)

  1. do you still have to pay child support? by alen · · Score: 2, Funny

    try to serve someone with a lawsuit there

    1. Re:do you still have to pay child support? by BeardedChimp · · Score: 4, Funny

      About 15 years ago my dad told my mum that if he had the chance for a one way trip to Mars he would take it even if he wouldn't last very long.
      She wouldn't speak to him for a week.

  2. Re:Little difference? by huckamania · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just ship corpses, which will save a lot of money and time trying to figure out how to keep the humans alive on the way there.

  3. OK Boys by WrongSizeGlass · · Score: 4, Funny

    OK boys, I need someone to take one for the team. The world will celebrate your sacrifice long after you perish on this journey. We'll even see if David Bowie will do a new version of "Major Tom" for you.

    1. Re:OK Boys by natehoy · · Score: 3, Funny

      I'll volunteer if he promises NEVER to do that.

      --
      "This post contains words, known to the State of California to cause thought. Wash brain thoroughly after reading."
  4. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 3, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  5. Re:Little difference? by euyis · · Score: 3, Funny

    Look at the brighter side - there're no dangerous animals and agressive natives to worry about!

  6. Re:Little difference? by mark72005 · · Score: 4, Funny

    You obviously haven't seen the documentary that Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in on this topic.

  7. Re:Little difference? by obarthelemy · · Score: 2, Funny

    i'm sure sending a bunch of violent, possibly psychopatic murderers, is a great idea...

    --
    The Cloud - because you don't care if your apps and data are up in the air.
  8. Re:Little difference? by camperdave · · Score: 5, Funny

    It worked for Australia.

    --
    When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
  9. Re:Little difference? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    If they provide enough resources for a lifetime, I would not feel more alone on Mars than right now here among billions of people who do not give a shit about me.

    I would miss you. Posting AC so I won't ruin your despair.

  10. Re:Little difference? by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 5, Funny

    But seriously, if nothing else, why not take volunteers from people on death row, that were sufficiently intelligent?

    I already see the ad. "NASA looking for experienced geologists and planetologists. Requirements: at least 2 PhDs, at least 1 capital offense. Must be willing to relocate. Huge travel bonuses!"

    --
    Ezekiel 23:20
  11. Re:Little difference? by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 2, Funny

    "but think what we could do with two planets!"

    Not too much, I guess. You need at least one more to play billiards, not to mention pool.

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    Ezekiel 23:20
  12. Re:Sign me up! by MaXMC · · Score: 4, Funny

    Taking the notion of the RED planet a bit far aren't you?

  13. What? by kenp2002 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Idgarad's Martian Clause

    "If at any point a scientist professes the colonization of Mars, and in the course of that profession, cites early settlers on Earth, has in fact declaired himself a moron."

    A: When settler's got to the new land, they was an abundance of natural resources to sustain life.
    B: The gravity, radiation, and climate was similar.
    C: The general rules of survival remained the same.
    D: The air was breathable
    E: The water, drinkable
    F: The atmosphere was the same and thick enough to stop micro-meteors
    G: The natural resources that were available for building were easily accessable in the form of lumber allowing simple expansion.
    H: They didn't have to contend with 100 mile wide volcanoes and lethal radiation
    I: The journey to the "New World" was measured in months, not years.
    J: The trip was relatively low cost per lbs compared to space travel

    NONE OF THE ABOVE APPLIES TO A TRIP TO MARS.

    I am all for heading to Mars but any comparison to early Earth settlers is about as productive as comparing, just about anything, to Nazis. Thus the IMC is the Martian equavalent to Godwin's Law.

    Godwin's Law: "As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1."

    The Godwin Observation: The validity and quality of a discussion can be measured by the length of time it takes to compare something in the conversation to Nazis. Alternatively: The duration of a conversion prior to a reference to Nazis implies it's general quality with the exception of conversations actually pertaining to Nazis.

    Gabriel's Law: Internet + Anonimty = Total and complete Fuckwad. Alternatively: Given a forum and anonymity most people act like assholes.

    Idgarad's Martian Clause: "If at any point a scientist professes the colonization of Mars, and in the course of that profession, cites early settlers on Earth, has in fact declaired himself a moron." Alternatively: The comparison of space colonization to early american settlers by a scientist invalidates all credibility said scientist once had by ignoring the overwhelming differences between the two.

    The Godwin Disclaimer
    "I do openly declaire that the conversation at hand does indeed involve Nazis and as such Godwin's Law and The Godwin Observation do not apply."

    --
    -=[ Who Is John Galt? ]=-
  14. Re:Looks like we have two volunteers. by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 2, Funny

    Arizona? I would have thought that folks from Utah would be the first ones to volunteer for a Mars trip. After all, you *can* make Mars livable.

    --
    Ezekiel 23:20
  15. Re:Little difference? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    But seriously, if nothing else, why not take volunteers from people on death row, that were sufficiently intelligent?

    I already see the ad. "NASA looking for experienced geologists and planetologists. Requirements: at least 2 PhDs, at least 1 capital offense. Must be willing to relocate. Huge travel bonuses!"

    Hans Reiser?

  16. Re:Little difference? by gmuslera · · Score: 5, Funny

    I agree that Mars will be a bit quiet, but internet connectivity will be slow to continue from there the development of reiserfs.

  17. Re:Little difference? by imakemusic · · Score: 5, Funny

    You have died of dysentery.

    --
    Brain surgery - it's not rocket science!
  18. Re:Unfortunately... by Locke2005 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Rule 34. Just think of all the money you could make from porn websites featuring Martian Women!

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  19. Re:Unfortunately... by Krater76 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Probably the chinese at some time in the future.

    Leela: Hang on. Amy Wong? Of the Mars Wongs?
    Amy: Look, we're not as rich as everybody says.
    Leela: Uh-huh! What sorority do you belong to?
    Amy: Kappa Kappa Wong.

    Farnsworth: This is quite a large ranch you have.
    Mr. Wong: 17.9 billion acres. We own entire western hemisphere. (whispering) That the best hemisphere!
    Farnsworth: It's the same on Earth.

    --
    "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?" - Patrick Henry
  20. Re:Little difference? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    In other future news,

    In recent months, there was a significant rise in capital offenses. Criminologists are puzzled by the shift in intelligence level of the offenders; one in twenty convicts now has at least one PhD title.

  21. Re:Sign me up! by Locke2005 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Heck, I've got a wife and child too, and I'd sign up just to get away from them!

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  22. Re:Little difference? by Johnny+Mnemonic · · Score: 4, Funny

    Define "worked".

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    --
    $tar -xvf .sig.tar
  23. Re:Little difference? by c6gunner · · Score: 3, Funny

    I thought about volunteering, but the thought of having a 20 minute ping time while playing Modern Warfare kinda turned me off the whole thing. As soon as they figure out a way to send FTL signals, though, I'm all over it!

  24. Re:Little difference? by Geirzinho · · Score: 3, Funny

    And the settlers marsupials?

    *ducks*

  25. Re:Little difference? by Narishma · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm pretty sure there would still be many volunteers even if they would die the moment they arrive.

    --
    Mada mada dane.
  26. Re:Does anyone else feel that this article... by Synesthes · · Score: 2, Funny

    Canada alone could comfortably fit billions,

    The rest of us Canadians might have something to say about that... You might think of us as beer-loving, igloo-living, hockey-playing goons, but we know how to fight and we'll go to lengths to protect our country. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to find a serviette... I just spilled poutine on the chesterfield...

  27. Re:Little difference? by Zaurus · · Score: 4, Funny

    Ick. Then they'd both go and there would never be peace on Mars.

  28. Re:I'll go. by ShavedOrangutan · · Score: 3, Funny

    Send me, a half dozen inflatable greenhouses, enough plants to eat/breathe from, and some quonset-type buriable shelters.

    If this is a real interest, you could buy a square mile of desert for a few dollars and do pretty much the same thing on earth. Just hold your breath anytime you're outside of your hut. No need for NASA's help.

    --
    Godaddy is a scam and a ripoff.
  29. Re:Little difference? by drsmack1 · · Score: 1, Funny

    Hey dumbass, there would not be a 20 minute ping time! Modern Warfare's servers would of course endeavor connect you with local players.

    When I took my Xbox to Germany, I fried it because I did not understand the different power connectors.

    But when I played on a rented one, everyone was speaking the local gibberish.

    So unless you are near Valles Marineris and the people you are playing are all the way over by Aethiopis - you should be fine.

    Use your brain, man. If you are going to be showing your ignorance, you should at least post AC.

  30. Re:Little difference? by IrquiM · · Score: 2, Funny

    Please keep the religious groupings on the earth. At least we know where they are then.

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    This is blinging
  31. Re:Little difference? by halltk1983 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Just host the game. Give everyone else the 20 minute ping.

    --
    Watch for Penguins, they eat Apples and throw rocks at Windows.