People on Mars in 2023?

[Scythe]

So, this week I came across this site after hearing the founder of the project on the radio:
http://mars-one.com/en/

And honestly? It sounds too ambitious to me, and I doubt they'll be able to get this of the ground.

On the other hand... maybe an unorthodox approach really is the way to get to the red planet, and they claim they can do it with existing technology. It would be quite amazing if they could pull this off.

But as I'm no expert, any thoughts about the feasibility of this project, or general feelings about the subject?

[Burnthem]

Would be amazing if they did, and I hope they do, but I won't be surprised if it doesn't happen.

[Crube]

Sounds quite incredible, and I personally hope they achieve it. My only concern is that they are planning on having such a small group of people 'for the rest of their lives'... 20 people by 2040 (IIRC) is a very small insular group, and I wonder about the psychological implications both for those involved, and then for any that go out to join them...

[Memnos]

Lot of things could go wrong. And probably will, but that is still incredible.

If you live there forever: What about kids? What about Doctors?

It's an 18 month travel to Mars. What about bone loss? Catastrophic system errors? Leaks?

We don't even have a real active working plan for effective terraforming. What if the most efficient way is to drop a huge asteroid filled with ice and iron on the planet and let nature take its course as it cools?

Tricky. Still, it's an incredible thing, and I hope they succeed. If they try it, my thoughts and prayers will be with them.

[Shush]

I don't really understand why they want to do this? I certainly don't understand why people would choose to go, knowing they'll never come home.

[Yodhrin]

I don't really understand why they want to do this? I certainly don't understand why people would choose to go, knowing they'll never come home.

Because it would be one of the most incredible experiences one could ever have? Because it would be an incredible achievement, both personal and collectively as a species? Because the earth isn't that great anyway?

The whole reality-TV/commercial aspect of the Mars One project really turns me off though, the first human colonisation of another world should be an event with some meaning, the result of the cooperation and participation of many disparate nations working together to advance our understanding of the universe. Not "Jersey Shore IN SPAAAAAACE"

[Scythe]

Sounds quite incredible, and I personally hope they achieve it. My only concern is that they are planning on having such a small group of people 'for the rest of their lives'... 20 people by 2040 (IIRC) is a very small insular group, and I wonder about the psychological implications both for those involved, and then for any that go out to join them...

I wonder about that as well. 20 people by 2033 is not a lot, and space will probably be extremely cramped in the first years, with very limited possibility of going outside (in a spacesuit).

Lot of things could go wrong. And probably will, but that is still incredible.

If you live there forever: What about kids? What about Doctors?

Their FAQ states they want to put 2 of the initial 4 astronauts through 'extensive medical training'. Still, you won't have hospital supplies or expertise with you I reckon.

I don't really understand why they want to do this? I certainly don't understand why people would choose to go, knowing they'll never come home.

It is a migration. People in the past have left their homes and loved ones behind to depart for a new continent, from which they would probably never return. I wouldn't say I would do it, but I can imagine they will find enough people willing to go. Don't underestimate the chance of going down in history books as one of the first settlers of a different planet either.

[Shush]

Because it would be one of the most incredible experiences one could ever have? Because it would be an incredible achievement, both personal and collectively as a species? Because the earth isn't that great anyway?

Except they'll probably never be able to have children or live there properly because of the difficulty of supporting them and looking after the children. Unless they send people already in strong relationships then what are the chances for them anyway?

It might be an incredible experience but the sacrifice is beyond belief! How much of a achievement is it anyway, isn't that in the building of a place to live? If they can build it all with robots why not wait on sending the people until they can send people to live there properly in communities?
Don't you think it might end in a group of possibly crazy people getting crazier beyond any help?

[Nicho]

6 months in afghan can drive people crazy, god knows what the rest of your life on a planet you cant breath on while living in cramped living conditions ( at least for a few years) would do.

[Burnthem]

Except they'll probably never be able to have children or live there properly because of the difficulty of supporting them and looking after the children. Unless they send people already in strong relationships then what are the chances for them anyway?

It might be an incredible experience but the sacrifice is beyond belief! How much of a achievement is it anyway, isn't that in the building of a place to live? If they can build it all with robots why not wait on sending the people until they can send people to live there properly in communities?
Don't you think it might end in a group of possibly crazy people getting crazier beyond any help?

The beginnings of a new colony are always difficult, whether it's moving house or moving planet. We as a species need to have the vision and strive to have the ability to reach out of our comfort zone and further ourselves and our reach. We NEED to do this, if humanity wants any sort of longevity (I'm talking far future here) we have to push out into space and see what we can do.

Not a strict comparison, but imagine where we'd be if our ancestors never left Africa because it was a little frightening?

[blackcherry]

Look, if we ever want to leave this planet, we need people who are this dedicated/crazy to make the first steps, as any advancements or successes (no matter how small) will lead the way for governments and organizations to follow.

The time scale seems optimistic, but then I don't have much working knowledge in the required fields, so it may be entirely possible if they have the funding and don't want to faff around.

[theunwantedbeing]

It would be nice to have humans on another world in my lifetime..

[Scythe]

The whole reality-TV/commercial aspect of the Mars One project really turns me off though, the first human colonisation of another world should be an event with some meaning, the result of the cooperation and participation of many disparate nations working together to advance our understanding of the universe. Not "Jersey Shore IN SPAAAAAACE"

Quite a romantic view of space exploration, eh?

Seriously, if that's what it takes to get humans on Mars, I can live with it.

Except they'll probably never be able to have children or live there properly because of the difficulty of supporting them and looking after the children. Unless they send people already in strong relationships then what are the chances for them anyway?

It might be an incredible experience but the sacrifice is beyond belief! How much of a achievement is it anyway, isn't that in the building of a place to live? If they can build it all with robots why not wait on sending the people until they can send people to live there properly in communities?
Don't you think it might end in a group of possibly crazy people getting crazier beyond any help?

As I understand it, they intend to build the basics with robots, but will need humans for further expansion. Aside from that, sad as it sounds, you probably won't get the thing financed if you want to spend 2 decades building a place with robots.

The beginnings of a new colony are always difficult, whether it's moving house or moving planet. We as a species need to have the vision and strive to have the ability to reach out of our comfort zone and further ourselves and our reach. We NEED to do this, if humanity wants any sort of longevity (I'm talking far future here) we have to push out into space and see what we can do.

Not a strict comparison, but imagine where we'd be if our ancestors never left Africa because it was a little frightening?

True enough. The moment we stop exploring is the moment we stagnate in our evolution as a species. And while we could wait another 100 years before going there more safely, people live in the moment. Why not try to reach out now?

[BigbyWolf]

I've always been in favour of underwater colonization before space, but I'd love to see something this ambitious actually happen.

Despite the fact that you don't get seafood on Mars.

[Shush]

I've always been in favour of underwater colonization before space, but I'd love to see something this ambitious actually happen.

Despite the fact that you don't get seafood on Mars.

I'm surprised if you don't already have recipes for curried Martian Bigby

[BigbyWolf]

I'm surprised if you don't already have recipes for curried Martian Bigby

I have the recipe...just not the ingredients!

[Gaebriel]

I would go, but I'm a social deviant and I guess they'd want people with a higher sanity rating (and more physical fitness and a more practical education) than me...

People who do this are beyond the dreams and lifeplans of the average citizen. Family, house, dog may have no meaning compared to the most unique life of being the first person living (and dying) on Mars. It's a survivalist feat combined with a scientific achievement.

Speaking of dying - being buried on Mars has a certain ring to it...

[Nicho]

Would be cool to be the first to name parts of mars lol

[Burnthem]

Would be cool to be the first to name parts of mars lol

Would be, but you've missed that boat a long time ago now.

[Shush]

Not a strict comparison, but imagine where we'd be if our ancestors never left Africa because it was a little frightening?

They didn't leave Africa just to die though, which is what this would be. They had families and made communities and developed culture.
That won't happen on Mars unless they develop it to work that way.

I wonder if they'll have police and what they will do with people who break the law?