POLL: Would you sign up for a one-way trip to Mars?

[3488]

Whilst CNN is not exactly the bastion of science, this video is pretty interesting.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4hHBpkPk2M[/youtube]

Andrew Brown.

 

[webmac_com]

With some conditions, Yes. I would need to be younger, healthier, better educated and trained for survival. Companions, lovers (multiple because of high probability of death) would need to go along with me. I wouldn't want to be stuck for the rest of my life with someone I couldn't stand, like some bad boss here on Earth, that would be like hell on Mars. I wouldn't want that.

To be a recognized pioneer of Mars, to build a new world outpost and life, to shape things for people to come would be a great accomplishment for ones life. It would be for all those that came after me, to be one of the first Human Martians, possibly a new species of human. I might regret it later on, but here on comfortable but increasingly insane planet Earth I would have to say, yes, Yes, YES!

 

[Raptor_101]

I think there should a fourth choice.
" When technology advances more."

You see, we do not have the technology for a real dedicated trip to Mars, and I fear any trip now would be one big psychological experiment. We need to develop a fast drive, more radiation prtection, and our overall colonization technology, before we attempt anything drastic.

I absolutely agree with you. I'd rather go to Mars when the technologies have been tested and made safer. It seems people don't realize the challenges they'd face being on the first colonizing missions to Mars. Yes as time goes by technology will get better, but for the colonists not fast enough. Financially speaking they'd probably face a large cost to get there. Much more than they'd wish to spend. I respect your opinions on this and surely I'd like to get off world as well, but now is not the right time.

 

[tjcarter]

55 years old and not in the best of health. I would gladly trade my final years just to touch the soil of Mars. Sounds insane even when say it but I have been hooked since the night I watched Armstrong touch the moon. So yeah strap me in and let me die happy.

 

[FlatEarth]

I voted no. Going to Mars to live out your life is like committing to stay inside a submarine 'till you die. Life is about experiences, and they would be very limited on Mars. Also, should they start a colony, it would be unfair to those born there to never have the chance to live on Earth.

My own belief is that we need to develop technology that will enable relatively easy transportation both ways before we attempt to visit Mars.

 

[Oroka]

Definitely! Now, in my current position, with a family and all, no, but if I was single with no ties to hold me back, I would go in a heartbeat.
I would want the ability to build, I would want out of that cave eventually. A shovel, minerals to make bricks or cement, or the ability to gather these minerals. Tons of parts to build things, maybe a 3d printer to manufacture small items.

It wouldn't even have to be for ever, just long term (10-20 years). Send a new crew every decade or so, make the crews bigger over time. Send new gear that is not on Mars, like the ability to make glass, or melt metals, equipment a self sufficient society would need.

 

[brokndodge]

Seems to me that everyone is missing the point. A one way trip would be just that, at first. The wonderful thing about the human race is that if we use equipment, we invariably make it better. Equipment not used regularly will just sit on a shelf and rust. The only way to make the advancements everyone is talking about is to make use of the technology we have available RIGHT NOW. The first boat might take years and billions to build, it might take 6 months or longer to get there. The second will be a little better, a little faster, and a little cheaper. The third will make yet more advances. Before long, you have regular bidirectional travel. Within a few more years there is a Hilton or a Bigelow Hotel of Mars and people are taking week long vacations to gamble at the Grand Casino of Mars.

We will never get there if we don't go... by any means available!!!

Sign me up NOW... I just need a couple of months to convince my wife that it is in the best interest of our 3 kids.

 

[Windbourne]

....So, does everybody agree that I have the RIGHT to do this?
And just as importantly, that I have the Moral imperative to solve all cancer with this?

So, the poll consist of both of those two bottom questions.
And then I will explain later.

No Winbourne, Even if it doesn't mutate or kill the few people who maybe allergic to it, It still takes away the freedom of choice.

There you go.
You are absolutely correct. And that is what I find interesting. Ppl can accept the idea that we should not push such an item on others, EVEN IF IT IS MEANT IN THE BEST SPIRIT.
Yet, going to mars with a relatively short mission and then bringing back astronauts, may subject the rest of earth to another lifeform.
And it was done without consideration for others rights.

For Centuries, Scientists have been willing to put their lives on the line for what they believe in, and not subject the general population to their experiments. Yet, we are now talking about the idea that a scientist MUST COME BACK, even if they do not want to, and it is cheaper/safer/responsible/moral to leave them there.

 

[RandyL]

Yes, yes, yes, & yes. I'm 40 years old now and don't want to wait until I'm in m 60's until we go to Mars. We have the technology now, we should have gone 25 years ago, so why not now? Yes, there are risks involved, but there is in almost anything we do. The only way to be sure is to do it. If no government will do it I would be happy, and woul volunteer, if any company or individual sponsored a 1-way trip to Mars to start up a research facility/colony. It frusterates me to no end that we spend all kinds of money of useless crap but can't put up the money for this, now.

 

[Desmon]

Knock me out for the trip and I'd do it. Or simply give me hour upon hour of video games and movies to rot my brain and I'll do it

 

[bdewoody]

Depends. I wouldnt go on a suicide run, in a tin can with provisions for a year or something like that.

But i would easily go 1 way if it was a proper colonization attempt. And by that i mean a massive effort to put what is needed there. Most certainly a nuclear reactor with a backup. A proper tool shop with the ability of medium scale forging, as well as proper mining equipment. Decent sized living space with the ability to grow your own food. At least 2 doctors with a properly equipped medical bay, miners, metal workers, farmers(from hydroponics), as well as a few scientists(you'd probably need at least 30 people). ETC.

IE all the tools one would need to build and expand from martian resources from that point on with the goal of expanding the colony for more one way people that are coming down the line.

Even if everyone died, if the equipment was there, however much progress they made would not be lost. They could send more people to continue the effort. So the mission could never fail(outside a meteor strike anyway!).

What he said. Especially since, on earth, gravity is my biggest challenge. But like the man said I would need some assurance that the attempt has a good chance of succeeding.

 

[ZenGalacticore]

Great questions on the latest poll to try and drum-up buzz.

1. Are you "dying" to go (on a one way ticket to a dead world.)

2. Maybe when I'm closer to "dying".

3. Life is too good "here".*

* "Here"? Where, praytell, is there any other life?

Life is great here because it's the only place with life, so far as we know. And even if there are billions of living planets--and I'm sure there are--- they are light-years away.

 

[dutchie]

I don't see the point in going to Mars, period. It's a big rusty clump of rock, with no breathable atmosphere, without liquid water. Yes, there may be beautiful vista's to behold, it may be a "great adventure", but it is definitely not the place where I would like to die. Windbourne also has a point - if it were to be a 2-way trip, who knows what we would take back with us?!?
In terms of research: the bots we sent there already did a lot of research for us. We have improved our knowledge of the geology vastly. We have taken beautiful pictures.
So, going to Mars, just because going to Mars would be a new experience, would be another milestone, is IMO just ludicrous.

If it were a real "expedition" to Europa, to set up equipment to drill through the ice and research samples of the water below it, I can see a valid reason for scientist to be wanting to engage in a suicide mission.

Not me. I love my wife and daughters a bit too much. And I like it here.

 

[Kanawha]

Only if a return trip is possible.

 

[Boots09]

I might go, would depend a lot on who else was going

 

[danolson68]

Depends. Would i have WI-FI?

 

[EarthlingX]

Sure i'd go. I've been on the Earth for too long already, time to move on, and it sounds like fun

From :
wsunews.wsu.edu : WSU Professor Urges One-Way Martian Colonization Missions

journalofcosmology.com : To Boldly Go: A One-Way Human Mission to Mars

Dirk Schulze-Makuch, Ph.D., and Paul Davies, Ph.D.,
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Washington State University
Beyond Center, Arizona State University

Abstract

A human mission to Mars is technologically feasible, but hugely expensive requiring enormous financial and political commitments. A creative solution to this dilemma would be a one-way human mission to Mars in place of the manned return mission that remains stuck on the drawing board. Our proposal would cut the costs several fold but ensure at the same time a continuous commitment to the exploration of Mars in particular and space in general. It would also obviate the need for years of rehabilitation for returning astronauts, which would not be an issue if the astronauts were to remain in the low-gravity environment of Mars. We envision that Mars exploration would begin and proceed for a long time on the basis of outbound journeys only. A mission to Mars could use some of the hardware that has been developed for the Moon program. One approach could be to send four astronauts initially, two on each of two space craft, each with a lander and sufficient supplies, to stake a single outpost on Mars. A one-way human mission to Mars would not be a fixed duration project as in the Apollo program, but the first step in establishing a permanent human presence on the planet. The astronauts would be re-supplied on a periodic basis from Earth with basic necessities, but otherwise would be expected to become increasingly proficient at harvesting and utilizing resources available on Mars. Eventually the outpost would reach self-sufficiency, and then it could serve as a hub for a greatly expanded colonization program. There are many reasons why a human colony on Mars is a desirable goal, scientifically and politically. The strategy of one-way missions brings this goal within technological and financial feasibility. Nevertheless, to attain it would require not only major international cooperation, but a return to the exploration spirit and risk-taking ethos of the great period of Earth exploration, from Columbus to Amundsen, but which has nowadays being replaced with a culture of safety and political correctness.

...


In this article i found an older poll, with a bit more reasonable questions and similar results as here:

Would you take a one-way trip to Mars, assuming that the risk seemed acceptable?

• Yes, and I'd be willing to pay a substantial price for it.
• Yes, but not if it costs me an earthly fortune.
• No, you couldn't pay me to take that trip.
• I have no idea what I would do.

 

[davp99]

Everyone is kidding right..

Soon after the age of 60, everyone's body starts...well, dying..Senses go, Organs start to go south.... monthly doctor visits to keep vital systems are a Must..Send MD's, Nurses then talk about sending a CVS drug store fully stocked for Anything and Everything , Sounds Un Realistic..

Dying Miserable and in pain doesn't really sound that inviting...send Young people to Build the Colony , then bring them home to Retire. I want to spend my last days, well Medicated..and Happy, Warm and Hopefully still in One Piece, besides the fact , that I'm a Cyborg ( mechanical Heart valve )..laughing

Dave

 

[Serengeti]

Yes, I would…fully understanding the consequences. Given my interest in Planetary Science and Geography, it would certainly be a dream come true. If nothing else, to simply put into words, the experiences, scenery, daily tasks & feelings, interesting moments & notices, scientific finds & discoveries, and techniques in surviving and use of resources(live off the land). Help put at ease and strengthen the human psyche of future explorers, who may be apprehensive above leaving the comforts of Earth.

By nature, we are explorers, and should never be afraid to venture. That’s the meaning of life: “to learn and adapt, from the womb to the tomb“.

 

[nhorchidguy]

Ok, here is my take on the whole thing, and it applies not only to Mars, but general colonization of our Solar Neighbourhood. It is little different than when people set out to explore new continents during the age of colonization here on terra firma. The only thing that is really different is the technology, the lack of an atmosphere and water, and the apparent attitude that if something goes wrong then someone is going to get their ass sued. There will be death. There will be loss of assets (the part that most companies are most worried about). But then there are those who are going to succeed, establish colonies and begin the age of space colonization. Would I volunteer for this? Hell yes. Do I think that there is a chance I am going to not come back...ever? Yes, its there in the back of my mind. And is it all worth it in the long run? Absolutely.

 

[flyer456654]

SIGN ME UP. I'm 22 years old and will gladly go on a one-way trip to mars, so long as my fiance can come with me. There will be plenty of firsts, first person on mars, first conception on mars, first wedding on mars, first baby born on mars. I'm ready to go tomorrow if I have to, so long as my pay is sent to my parents i'm good to go. Just give me a computer, the equivelant of 56k internet, and canned food (all i eat now anyway) and i'll do it.

 

[rreilly656]

How come the poll doesn't have a just plain "NO" option? I had to choose the tacky "life's too good here" one.

This one-way trip thing is a suicidal fantasy.

 

[flyer456654]

How come the poll doesn't have a just plain "NO" option? I had to choose the tacky "life's too good here" one.

This one-way trip thing is a suicidal fantasy.

I would rather die a legend than live unknown.

 

[postman1]

The answer is yes! With the understanding that I get to choose the five women to go with me.

 

[kbeaney]

It's not just a technological project. Having humans in a closed set becomes a social project as well, and who has laid out bulletproof plans for that? Anybody remember how long people lasted in the Biosphere? Not very.

Is it going to be a military-style hierarchy like Star Trek, or a group of well-meaning scientists and robots like Lost in Space?

Rent the video "Virtuality" if you want to see what this mission would become. The video is clearly a TV pilot about a group of mis-matched people who, in order to pay for the mission, have to broadcast a full-time "Big Brother in Space" reality show. The first person who gets "voted off" is the captain.

If there's not enough long-term air and water to be sucked from the planet for humanity's little experiment, how are they going to generate that? And who gets to take out the trash and deal with the human waste? Sorry but I don't think we are emotionally stable enough for this kind of trip yet.