Sex of Martian Colonists

[bpfeifer]

The problem is that LEO presents a lower radiation hazard than Mars. If you push out to an Earth-Moon legrange point, you could do a more accurate test. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Brian J. Pfeifer http://sabletower.wordpress.com<br /> The Dogsoldier Codex http://www.lulu.com/sabletower<br /> </div>

 

[spacefire]

good point on that, though I thought we were just referring to a gravitational study. A higher orbit outside of the Van Allen belt is needed. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>http://asteroid-invasion.blogspot.com</p><p>http://www.solvengineer.com/asteroid-invasion.html </p><p> </p> </div>

 

[docm]

Centrifuge machines will work for gravity simulation, but if the ship uses VASIMR or MPD drive a Mars transit would only be 3-4 months....something humans have far exceeded many times. <br /><br />In the case of VASIMR its magnetic field might even provide some solar particle shielding, but with a reactor on board and judicious use of some superconductive cables (already commercially available) MPD or straight ion drives could be protected.<br /><br />As for genetics IIRC a 'breeding population' of at least 150 unrelated individuals provides enough variation not to run into most breeding issues. If whole nuclear families emigrate 5 times as many individuals may be required. <br /><br />Also helpful would be to include as many ethnicities as possible since each has protective immune system and other factors that could be helpful in resisting indigenous microbes and/or parasites.<br /> <br />Of course much genetic variability could come with a smaller population if pre-selected or engineered frozen embryos (or semen) were taken along and used for at least 1 child per unrelated female, but some might find that too close to eugenics for their taste.<br /><br />Another alternative I've read about is for each colonial female to have no more than 1 child per male, with 3 by unrelated fathers being optimum.<br /><br />Better pack some Champagne, incense and Barry White CD's <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[spacefire]

sounds like a mess.... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>http://asteroid-invasion.blogspot.com</p><p>http://www.solvengineer.com/asteroid-invasion.html </p><p> </p> </div>