all boarding flight 1 (way) to mars

NASA wants to go to Mars.


Ok, well duh. But there's new literature that suggests they're looking at it in new ways, that just might result in a possible Mars mission becoming a reality. Jim McClane writes that a one-way, one-person mission to Mars is the easiest, cheapest, most feasible way to get 'er done.

I for one, am all for it. I think that humanity has become too big for it's britches, so to speak, in that we truly believe that we are kings of all we survey. We need something truly awe-inspiring to humble us once again. With religion declining, and pessimism reigning supreme, I think mankind really needs to find comfort, or humility, or even insignificance in something greater than itself, if only the vastness of space. We really are in a rut, as ar as our species goes. There's nothing left to explore here on earth. We've gone as far as we can go, geographically, culturally, and idiologically. Nothing is sacred anymore. People everywhere have already charted the extremes of the human experience. What next?

Mars. Apparently, anyway. And I am totally behind the idea. I believe it's definitely possible. Without getting deeper into the science than I can handle, it seems quite uncomplicated when envisioned a la Jim McClane. Mars Landers move us in, months before the Mars colonists strap on their suits. Then one or two people hop into a rocket, bringing soup mix, and powdered milk, land on the red planet, set up shop, melt some ice, then kick back and enjoy the view until one or two more people get there twenty six months later.

I like the idea of recycling Martian ice for uses other than water! Break down molecular components until you have oxygen for breathing and hydrogen for fuel... Bring along genetically manipulated plants that produce oxygen out of carbon dioxide like an ADHD child produces irritating behavior out of sugar! I find the whole thing ridiculously exciting and adventurous. I mean, a committed effort to colonizing another planet could spark unprecedented global feelings of cooperation and purpose, and ultimately beget a new era of human history!

And it's not like you have a shortage of takers for the mission itself. Yes, it's dangerous. But nothing this ground-breaking and monumental isn't. Now who on earth, if anybody, would be willing to go into a hostile environment with limited resources, knowing full well they might not survive the duration?

This guy. The text on the page displays oddly, so I've 'translated' some of it for you here for easier reading:


"Here is an out of the box idea. Let the heroes of all our countries, for once, risk the ultimate sacrifice for something greater than one man’s idea. Maybe once let these men and women that rise every day, and say today I will stand for something, and say evil will not prevail, not on my watch. For once, let them volunteer for us all…mankind, the human race. It might just catch on, if we let it.

"Will we falter at a hint of death or danger? Or will we do now what so many in all of the world's history has done before us. NASA of all thinking societies should understand this. Would there even be an America or NASA if a man named Columbus had not pursued a dangerous and possibly deadly voyage to a new world? He certainly had to consider whether or not he would ever return home to see all those he loved so dearly. But what of those aboard his ships, those that left Spain knowing that they would never return. Those few that willingly risked all for the chance at a new world and a new future, could they have possibly known what effects they would have had on the future due to their sacrifices? Now can we have enough vision to see our destiny, can we, for a moment, see past our petty differences of race and religion to see peace, prosperity and possibly a new world."


...yeah, this dude thought he was on TV. But you know, he has a point. The world has become very risk-wary. I have another word for it. I call it "pussy."

But moving beyond the weinie-wagging, he makes some salient technological points, as well. The idea of sending more than one ship, with three or four colonists each is definitely a good one.

I don't know. With the global economy in a recession, and people in the Deep South slowly realizing that they really can't assassinate their president, it'll be a while before this ever comes to fruition. But in the meantime...what an idea to hold onto!