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Scientists Propose One-Way Trips To Mars

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the thousands-would-do-it dept.

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."

8 of 839 comments (clear)

  1. 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.

  2. 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!
  3. 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.

  4. 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
  5. 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?

  6. 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.

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

    You have died of dysentery.

    --
    Brain surgery - it's not rocket science!
  8. 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.