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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."
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.
They had to spend months with only what drinkable water they could carry, which was at that time as daunting as it is now to carry the fuel(energy) needed to get to Mars
Three years ago I would have happily signed up for such an adventure, even if it was one-way. To be part of that, oh wow. These days, with a wife and a child, I guess I'll envy those who go, but wont be amongst them.
So I dont thinnk there be volunteers lacking, Even though I dont know wether they ft the general requirements of mental stability to be locked up in a can for a year. Even the early colonists of the Americas expected to make some money and then return. And even in the Americas it was a three month voyage on a ship, not a year in space.
But hell, what a ride.
Invita Invidia
hey I am not in a death row, and I would volunteer. I am already well trained for that mission.
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.
It worked for Australia.
When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
If you're seeding technological infrastructure, why send people at all? Send ships of robots and parts, once the robots have assembled the habitat, pressurized it, prepared gardens, located water and what not, then you send people to live there.
If I have been able to see further than others, it is because I bought a pair of binoculars.
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.
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
Yesterday was Remembrance Sunday here. If we have in the past and can continue to send people to war with a realistic chance that they'll die, then what's the issue with sending someone on such a noble endeavour as this. At least they will know their lives advanced all of humanity, instead of advancing a few inches into no man's land or paying the ultimate price for the enrichment of a few billionaires arguing over resources.
If humans screw up the earth to the point where it becomes unlivable, our species deserves to just become extinct.
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There is inferior bacteria on the interior of your posterior.
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?
I agree that Mars will be a bit quiet, but internet connectivity will be slow to continue from there the development of reiserfs.
You have died of dysentery.
Brain surgery - it's not rocket science!
Would I go? You bet I would. I'm quite serious. I'd far rather do something incredible and useful with the little time I have left than sit around gardening or playing golf.
I'd still go if I knew there were only enough resources to last me 6 months on Mars, and then I had to quietly pop the little red pill. Trading 6 months doing something completely amazing for 20 (expected) rather boring years going slowly senile seems a pretty good trade to me. I'll bet there are quite a few people like me out there.
In other future news,