One-Way Ticket to Mars

ChadH · September 17, 2009, 09:38:26 AM

The previous "Rocky Planet" thread got me thinking about an NPR Science Friday interview I listened too recently. The subject was a manned mission to Mars, which in itself isn't anything very new, but this mission would be different in that it would only be one-way(presumably to save cost, although I'm not sure I agree that it would). The crew-people would be expected to break down their ship(along with the necessary amount of radiation shielding :)) when they arrived and establish their colony permanently. It would take a certain kind of individual to participate on this mission. Presuming you had the opportunity and that it would be possible to colonize the planet, given the inhospitable environment, would you go? Why/why not?

Bryancd · September 17, 2009, 09:56:53 AM

Quote from: ChadH on September 17, 2009, 09:38:26 AM
The previous "Rocky Planet" thread got me thinking about an NPR Science Friday interview I listened too recently. The subject was a manned mission to Mars, which in itself isn't anything very new, but this mission would be different in that it would only be one-way(presumably to save cost, although I'm not sure I agree that it would). The crew-people would be expected to break down their ship when they arrived and establish their colony permanently. It would take a certain kind of individual to participate on this mission. Presuming you had the opportunity, would you go? Why/why not?

Without answering your questiona s to my own participation, there is no way they could survive very long on the supplies they bring with them as well as available resources. Also Mars has no magnetic field so they would die of radiation exposure afetr a period of time regardless. Did NPR actually present this as a viable option?

ChadH · September 17, 2009, 10:21:57 AM

Quote from: Bryancd on September 17, 2009, 09:56:53 AM
Quote from: ChadH on September 17, 2009, 09:38:26 AM
The previous "Rocky Planet" thread got me thinking about an NPR Science Friday interview I listened too recently. The subject was a manned mission to Mars, which in itself isn't anything very new, but this mission would be different in that it would only be one-way(presumably to save cost, although I'm not sure I agree that it would). The crew-people would be expected to break down their ship when they arrived and establish their colony permanently. It would take a certain kind of individual to participate on this mission. Presuming you had the opportunity, would you go? Why/why not?

Without answering your questiona s to my own participation, there is no way they could survive very long on the supplies they bring with them as well as available resources. Also Mars has no magnetic field so they would die of radiation exposure afetr a period of time regardless. Did NPR actually present this as a viable option?

Yes, they did present it as a viable option. Let me clarify that the main focus of the NPR discussion was the economics behind a manned mission to Mars. In my post I'm choosing to focus more on a persons choices behind going/ not going on the mission. I'll edit my post to accomodate.:)

Bryancd · September 17, 2009, 10:46:49 AM

Gotcha'. Well, if survival could be assured, then I think that you would be able to find many who would be willing to take the trip. I can't say that I would, but this is not to dissimilar to the idea of interstellar travel where the trip might be multi-generational in length. Bottom line is space exploration might be a one way ticket and it's a risk and reality we may need to face if we want to actually get anywhere.

ChadH · September 17, 2009, 12:25:28 PM

Quote from: Bryancd on September 17, 2009, 10:46:49 AM
Gotcha'. Well, if survival could be assured, then I think that you would be able to find many who would be willing to take the trip. I can't say that I would, but this is not to dissimilar to the idea of interstellar travel where the trip might be multi-generational in length. Bottom line is space exploration might be a one way ticket and it's a risk and reality we may need to face if we want to actually get anywhere.

In the radio segment the comparison was made between this type of mission and the journeys undertaken by Europeans who established colonies in North America and some of the wagon trains across our continent which took place later.
Personally, if I were 20 years younger and had no family I think I would go. A chance to be one of the first people in human history to establish a settlement on another planet is very tempting.

Rico · September 17, 2009, 02:14:07 PM

It's an interesting question and might be one that will become more and more of an option in the future. I can easily see people being up for this. I certainly would seriously consider it if I was younger and also had no family, children, etc.

moyer777 · September 17, 2009, 10:10:22 PM

It would be so amazing to participate in something like that. True pioneers! If I was younger, and had the ability to communicate freely with Earth I would have certainly considered it. Talk about a childhood dream!

ori-STUDFARM · September 18, 2009, 09:22:27 AM

I'm not so sure that I would. It all sounds great in theory, but wouldn't the desolation of the Martian landscape wear a tad thin after the first few years?

I'd rather do an orbit of the Earth and be home for supper! :)

ChadH · September 18, 2009, 09:53:09 AM

Quote from: ori-STUDFARM on September 18, 2009, 09:22:27 AM
I'm not so sure that I would. It all sounds great in theory, but wouldn't the desolation of the Martian landscape wear a tad thin after the first few years?

I'd rather do an orbit of the Earth and be home for supper! :)

I think we'd need to pack along a prefab, fully stocked pub.

Yes, I'd think you'd want to eat AFTER returning form orbit.
Full stomach + free-fall = projectile barfing:(