One-Way ticket to Live on Mars - What kind of people will go? POLL

[Rx_]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/02/17/ticket-mars-red-plant-mars-one/23543053/

The article shows a break-down, rest assured that I am NOT the one person from Colorado. The news also claims 2 people from the UK were approved.

Is this another situation of billions being wasted to send people to death within 60 days? Is it a mankind's greatest endeavor to go down in history?

The group estimates that putting the first four people on Mars will cost $6 billion.
Lansdorp said the revenue model centers around crowdfunding broadcasting deals and private investments.

Why Mars instead of the Moon?
The Poll awaits - CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY

By the way, I might have accidentally signed up a couple of you for this one-way ticket. So, if they grab you out of the pub and if Mars has Internet, be sure to drop us a line. LOL

 

[Libre]

I'd actually think about going.
I'm in my 60s - done most of what I meant to do or are able to do on this earth. If I died tomorrow I would not feel shortchanged or cheated. So why not go? What a great adventure it would be. I'd miss my wife tho - could she come too?
EDIT
Wanted to add that WOULD go if selected (maybe), but it wouldn't let me add to my previous selection of "discovery is courageous..."

 

[Rx_]

It doesn't launch until something like 2020.
There is a younger married guy selected. His wife won't go.
Just wondering... if she had a life insurance policy....

M.I.T. Engineer claims the plan will put them out of oxygen within 60 days.

 

[Libre]

I'd want to live on more than 60 days. I'd go if I could be convinced that I'd have some kind of chance of survival for a few years at least. That the plant would get me to Mars and once there, there would be provisions to sustain us. If it were a flat out suicide mission, then Hell No, I won't Go.
Another thing, by 2020 I'll be 69. I doubt that I'd have much to offer - except I do have some specialized skills. I'm probably not what they're looking for though.

 

[Rx_]

According to the article, the people know they are not coming back.
It isn't clear if they really know the risk or not.
But, there are thrill seekers who probably put their lives in danger and don't realize how physics work.

At least a place on the moon would take a quarter of the fuel and resources, so the "baggage" could be much bigger. Neither place has an atmosphere or magnetic field. Although, the moon does get the protection from cosmic ray from the magnetic field 's shadow about 1/6 of the orbit.

If they were on the moon, they might set up operational telescopes that could provide more early asteroid warning. That might be worth different nations to fund the base for a couple of billion a year. That might also be the kind of financing to build out the moon base.

But Mars is a dead planet. It's iron core was about half as big as Earth's iron core. So, it cooled faster and solidified. That is when it lost its magnetic field. Without a magnetic field, the atmosphere just gets stripped by the Solar Winds into space. It is dead and can't be brought back.

Why would anyone consider such a plan to go to Mars? It will be interesting when aliens discover the bodies a million years from now. With plans like this one, I have no faith that humans will ever make it off this planet and thrive.

 

[kevlray]

From what I understand Mars is slightly more habitable than the moon. The temperature swings from day to night are less severe. There is a small possibility of liquid water on Mars (under the surface). Of course we have been to the moon (just visiting) versus attempting to live on another planet.

 

[Bladerunner]

there would be some boys and girls that want to go. WHY?????? because it a whole lot bigger than the MILE High Club. I hope we send every one of those.

Blade

 

[Rx_]

It is very likely that there are veins of water on the moon as well.
Mars with its extremely light atmosphere would offer a little more protection. But, the distance to receive continued many times more supplies at a higher frequency than once every four years for the same cost would raise the chances of survival.

Once a larger base was established on the moon, just think how large of a ship could be launched from there to go retrieve an asteroid or comet. A retrieved comet parked on the moon would be cool. It would provide water for the colony and an awesome vapor trail for Earth to view.

People on Mars doesn't really do anything for humanity. It would make a great robot colony someday when fusion batteries are commonplace.

 

[Libre]

How in heck would you "retrieve" a comet or asteroid? It's not a matter of throwing out a lasso and hauling it in. The kinetic energy of a celestial body in motion would be ...well ...astronomical. You could divert its course maybe, but to capture it and "park" it - nooo, I don't think so. Think about trying to capture a cruise ship from a canoe. That would be relatively easy compared to grabbing an object with the mass of millions of metric tons, moving at mach speeds, and with no firmament to back you up - capturing it and bringing it back to the moon. It's more like a mosquito trying to catch a 747 in motion.

 

[scott-atkinson]

It's more like a mosquito trying to catch a 747 in motion.

SPLAT...

 

[Frothingslosh]

By the way, I might have accidentally signed up a couple of you for this one-way ticket. So, if they grab you out of the pub and if Mars has Internet, be sure to drop us a line. LOL

That explains those two guys last night. They should have known better, this being Flint and all.

Seriously, though, in answer to Libre's comment, there are a few ways in theory, although obviously none have been tried. None would be very fast, however, and most are impractical if the comets are rotating and the rotation can't be stopped.

 

[ConnorGiles]

We won't ever know what will happen until they get there.

It would be hilarious if they went there to die and then when they ran out of oxygen they went outside and it turns out Mars was inhabitable after all.

Plot twist!

EDIT: Before anyone claims in 2020 they predicted it to be inhabitable, You guys can vouch for me that I did it first!

 

[Frothingslosh]

I've already seen people with "proof" that it's all a Hollywood-produced fake created by the New World Order for some nefarious purposes, and that all the volunteers are paid actors.

And on a totally unrelated note, sometimes I think I need new friends.

 

[ConnorGiles]

Totally Unrelated

And what purpose could that be !

EDIT: I've cracked it! Its probably where those people might find their common sense and want to come home.

 

[Brianwarnock]

We won't ever know what will happen until they get there.

It would be hilarious if they went there to die and then when they ran out of oxygen they went outside and it turns out Mars was inhabitable after all.

Plot twist!

EDIT: Before anyone claims in 2020 they predicted it to be inhabitable, You guys can vouch for me that I did it first!

Did you mean habitable?

Brian

 

[ConnorGiles]

Did you mean habitable?

Brian

I did indeed, But that in no way changes that you will vouch for me I hope ?

 

[Brianwarnock]

Definitely if I'm still around and the memory hasn't fully gone.

Brian

 

[ConnorGiles]

Definitely if I'm still around and the memory hasn't fully gone.

Brian

Knew I could count on you bud.

So Basically I'm doomed ?

 

[Brianwarnock]

Knew I could count on you bud.

So Basically I'm doomed ?

Probably.


Erm what did you need me for?

Brian

 

[ConnorGiles]

You know what?

I forgot