Colonization continues - the Red Planet anyone?

I suppose you heard about that project:
http://www.space.com/20758-private-mars-one-colony-astronauts.html

Some facts:

1. You'll have access to the Internet
2. Free sex
3. Low gravitation
4. Your own Rover
5. Your FB page will have more fans that Lady Gaga

So, anyone taking the one way trip?

I couldn't imagine committing to something like this, how about you OP?

Moosey said:

I couldn't imagine committing to something like this, how about you OP?

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I'm a fan of science fiction and extreme travel experiences. If I was younger, not married and free of obligations I would probably consider it seriously. However, with all the passion to extreme trips, I must admit - it sounds like a suicide mission.

lancis said:

I'm a fan of science fiction and extreme travel experiences. If I was younger, not married and free of obligations I would probably consider it seriously. However, with all the passion to extreme trips, I must admit - it sounds like a suicide mission.

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The whole idea of it sounds great, but even if I were to arrive their safely I think it wouldn't be long before losing my mind completely. Think about ejecting yourself from life as you know it, for good. Some would say it is just like suicide, no?

lancis said:

1. You'll have access to the Internet

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I think the 40 minute lag might be annoying

Moosey said:

The whole idea of it sounds great, but even if I were to arrive their safely I think it wouldn't be long before losing my mind completely. Think about ejecting yourself from life as you know it, for good. Some would say it is just like suicide, no?

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I'm not sure losing your mind is an option. I have often been ejected out of my comfort zone, and the less comfortable it is the more you're protected by your instincts. It just happens automatically. An example would be military, if I look back I dont understand how I managed to keep myself sane (been in some hot zones).

What worries me most in that mission is not the actual post-landing life. Its the flight itself - 1 year in a closed space if I'm not mistaken.

lancis said:

I'm not sure losing your mind is an option. I have often been ejected out of my comfort zone, and the less comfortable it is the more you're protected by your instincts. It just happens automatically. An example would be military, if I look back I dont understand how I managed to keep myself sane (been in some hot zones).

What worries me most in that mission is not the actual post-landing life. Its the flight itself - 1 year in a closed space if I'm not mistaken.

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It's 7 months, but yeah I guess that would definitely be the hard part. Surviving the landing would be the most dangerous part I suppose?
Who knows, maybe they'll develop a method to send people back to Earth after sending a few successful teams to the red planet.

Moosey said:

It's 7 months, but yeah I guess that would definitely be the hard part. Surviving the landing would be the most dangerous part I suppose?
Who knows, maybe they'll develop a method to send people back to Earth after sending a few successful teams to the red planet.

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Its almost a decade until they send the first mission. Its very likely that the propulsion systems and computer technologies will make a big leap forward ensuring a safer landing. But you're right, with the current technology landing is probably the most dangerous part.

I'm gonna open a thread called "Journey to Mars and than $100/day" , heard they have wi-fi.

lancis said:

Its almost a decade until they send the first mission. Its very likely that the propulsion systems and computer technologies will make a big leap forward ensuring a safer landing. But you're right, with the current technology landing is probably the most dangerous part.

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In the article they did mention no further technology "needs" to be invented, but the whole system is pretty much being built from the ground up. I'm sure they have advanced technology that you and I have never even imagined before.

You know what? I would actually go for it. Have no commitments to anybody... The biggest thing is I doubt I would be selected and I'm not about to spend $38 bucks for the application fee to find out.

Do people still take this scam serious?! LOL

Go an live in Sahara desert for 1 full year. If after that year you still want to go to Mars... then go ahead.

It is not the fact that you go to Mars that's important but the details of the contract. Do you come back? How much you have to stay there? What do you do there and what do the others do there? Are the women ("free sex") at least pleasant or are they some 45yo ugly ass scientists? Can you cope with all the details? etc. etc.

I am willing to bet that at least 95% of human population is incapable of doing this long term because of psychological factors. Most people crush if their girlfriend/boyfriend dumps them and blame X and Y for every problem they have and for the life being hard and stuff.

That aside, at best you will end up in a NASA study conducted on Earth because actually maintaining a permanent settlement on Mars is pretty much out of the question. As a mater of fact they haven't even done a single human mission on Mars. They didn't even got in the "neighborhood". So let's say you're 18yo and in the next 15 years they do the first human mission on Mars. Then, if everything works out great, after 50 more years maybe they make a base there. Then maybe after 50 more years they make a permanent base. You'd be pretty much dead by then.

See, math doesn't really work out. And don't be so naive to tell me that they will do it in the next 20 years or whatever. Look at the timelines of other similar things. They all have one thing in common - they span over several generations at least.

All that aside what amazes me (actually doesn't) is how money, time, resources and thinking is invested into broken economics, wars and going on other planets, while we're not even close to living an optimized decent life on Earth. With the money they put in a war you'd solve world hunger. But then again, hunger is what keeps some in a position of power.

I will apply but i need 8$ for it, anyone willing to spare me? thanks,

@madoctopus

I believe only the young among us will be accepted. Taking into consideration that the training will take 7 years and that the legal application age is 18, we're speaking about 25-30 years olds (launch time). Its a one way ticket, they don't hide it. However, there will be a constant supply of new people, equipment and food.

Obviously, climate transformation is not a feasible task, but they can create quite large areas where people can breathe in relatively short time. Not sure how they are going to solve the water problem, but I believe that nuance has been thought out as well.

By the way its a private initiative, and it wouldnt hurt the economics in any way. They have a genius monetization scheme - they will make a global reality show featuring the astronauts. IMHO its a noble cause compared to the usual trash we see when it comes to reality shows.

Right now, flying to Mars, might seem like a money waste, but on the long it will feed the economy and hopefully solve the land problems we are already facing.

After watching lots and lots of documentaries about the Red Planet... It really sounds like a suicide mission.

lancis said:

I'm a fan of science fiction and extreme travel experiences. If I was younger, not married and free of obligations I would probably consider it seriously. However, with all the passion to extreme trips, I must admit - it sounds like a suicide mission.

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Yeah, I thought the exact same thing. "I got work to do". It SOUNDS neat though.

Here's something none ever talks about that I always thought about when it comes to the whole living on other planets thing. HUMANS. People always forget how fucked up mankind is. We mess up EVERYTHING. It probably wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say they we are one of the worst things to ever happen to the earth.

Going to another planet does not change that, if anything it just makes it much worse.

Think of all the crime, violence, prejudice and general hatred that is all over this planet. Now for all the failing that governments, military, law enforcement etc do, they do at least keep these issues at a much lower rate than what they would be otherwise due to enforcing punishments on people(somewhat) The only reason they can do that is due to having enough numbers and force to keep people in line. If law enforcement stopped arresting people for any crime they committed for one week...try and imagine what would happen during that week.

Now think about certain countries in this world that are practically lawless right now, or are ruled by cruel dictators. Now imagine that but as an entire freaking planet.

I have no illusions about human nature yes there is good in us, but there is a shitload of bad as well, eventually after the population got large enough these things would happen all over again only worse because there would be a significant lack of individuals that could enforce law or justice or whatever. And unlike flying from one country to another which is doable, you can bet governments wont be sending military personnel on a 7month trip to mars on peace missions. Same for regular law enforcement.

Maybe if these were qualified scientist this problem would be postponed but since technically anyone can apply, even with all the screening they do you have no idea what type of unstable mofo's are leaving earth with you.

Now of course what I'm saying wouldn't be all that valid if this was just a trip but since they're planning to live there permanently...hell no. This is just one issue. Other people in the thread have already touched on others.

In theory the idea sounds awesome. In actuality, if you dont die on the way there(very possible), and if you manage to land safely(you might not)...you probably wont like it all that much, but by then your stuck there sooooo sucks to be you.

VirgilH said:

People always forget how fucked up mankind is. We mess up EVERYTHING. It probably wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say they we are one of the worst things to ever happen to the earth.

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What a crap load of nonsense

jazzc said:

What a crap load of nonsense

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Dont get me wrong jazzc i'm not saying we're completely evil or anything but you cant look at the way people treat others(not all of course but ALOT) and tell me there isn't something seriously messed up with that, and you cant expect it to be different if you leave this planet and go to another one.