Scientists Propose One-Way Trips To Mars 839
vortex2.71 writes "Invoking the spirit of Star Trek in a scholarly article entitled 'To Boldly Go,' two scientists contend human travel to Mars could happen much more quickly and cheaply if the missions are made one-way. They argue that it would be little different from early settlers to North America, who left Europe with little expectation of return. 'The main point is to get Mars exploration moving,' said Dirk Schulze-Makuch of Washington State University, who wrote the article in the latest Journal of Cosmology with Paul Davies of Arizona State University. The colleagues state — in one of 55 articles in the issue devoted to exploring Mars — that humans must begin colonizing another planet as a hedge against a catastrophe on Earth."
do you still have to pay child support? (Score:3, Funny)
try to serve someone with a lawsuit there
Re:Little difference? (Score:5, Funny)
Just ship corpses, which will save a lot of money and time trying to figure out how to keep the humans alive on the way there.
OK Boys (Score:5, Funny)
Comment removed (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Little difference? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Little difference? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:do you still have to pay child support? (Score:5, Funny)
She wouldn't speak to him for a week.
Re:Little difference? (Score:3, Funny)
i'm sure sending a bunch of violent, possibly psychopatic murderers, is a great idea...
Re:Little difference? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Little difference? (Score:5, Funny)
If they provide enough resources for a lifetime, I would not feel more alone on Mars than right now here among billions of people who do not give a shit about me.
I would miss you. Posting AC so I won't ruin your despair.
Re:Little difference? (Score:5, Funny)
But seriously, if nothing else, why not take volunteers from people on death row, that were sufficiently intelligent?
I already see the ad. "NASA looking for experienced geologists and planetologists. Requirements: at least 2 PhDs, at least 1 capital offense. Must be willing to relocate. Huge travel bonuses!"
Re:Little difference? (Score:3, Funny)
"but think what we could do with two planets!"
Not too much, I guess. You need at least one more to play billiards, not to mention pool.
Re:Sign me up! (Score:4, Funny)
Taking the notion of the RED planet a bit far aren't you?
What? (Score:4, Funny)
Idgarad's Martian Clause
"If at any point a scientist professes the colonization of Mars, and in the course of that profession, cites early settlers on Earth, has in fact declaired himself a moron."
A: When settler's got to the new land, they was an abundance of natural resources to sustain life.
B: The gravity, radiation, and climate was similar.
C: The general rules of survival remained the same.
D: The air was breathable
E: The water, drinkable
F: The atmosphere was the same and thick enough to stop micro-meteors
G: The natural resources that were available for building were easily accessable in the form of lumber allowing simple expansion.
H: They didn't have to contend with 100 mile wide volcanoes and lethal radiation
I: The journey to the "New World" was measured in months, not years.
J: The trip was relatively low cost per lbs compared to space travel
NONE OF THE ABOVE APPLIES TO A TRIP TO MARS.
I am all for heading to Mars but any comparison to early Earth settlers is about as productive as comparing, just about anything, to Nazis. Thus the IMC is the Martian equavalent to Godwin's Law.
Godwin's Law: "As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1."
The Godwin Observation: The validity and quality of a discussion can be measured by the length of time it takes to compare something in the conversation to Nazis. Alternatively: The duration of a conversion prior to a reference to Nazis implies it's general quality with the exception of conversations actually pertaining to Nazis.
Gabriel's Law: Internet + Anonimty = Total and complete Fuckwad. Alternatively: Given a forum and anonymity most people act like assholes.
Idgarad's Martian Clause: "If at any point a scientist professes the colonization of Mars, and in the course of that profession, cites early settlers on Earth, has in fact declaired himself a moron." Alternatively: The comparison of space colonization to early american settlers by a scientist invalidates all credibility said scientist once had by ignoring the overwhelming differences between the two.
The Godwin Disclaimer
"I do openly declaire that the conversation at hand does indeed involve Nazis and as such Godwin's Law and The Godwin Observation do not apply."
Re:Looks like we have two volunteers. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Little difference? (Score:5, Funny)
But seriously, if nothing else, why not take volunteers from people on death row, that were sufficiently intelligent?
I already see the ad. "NASA looking for experienced geologists and planetologists. Requirements: at least 2 PhDs, at least 1 capital offense. Must be willing to relocate. Huge travel bonuses!"
Hans Reiser?
Re:Little difference? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Little difference? (Score:5, Funny)
You have died of dysentery.
Re:Unfortunately... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Unfortunately... (Score:4, Funny)
Probably the chinese at some time in the future.
Leela: Hang on. Amy Wong? Of the Mars Wongs?
Amy: Look, we're not as rich as everybody says.
Leela: Uh-huh! What sorority do you belong to?
Amy: Kappa Kappa Wong.
Farnsworth: This is quite a large ranch you have.
Mr. Wong: 17.9 billion acres. We own entire western hemisphere. (whispering) That the best hemisphere!
Farnsworth: It's the same on Earth.
Re:OK Boys (Score:3, Funny)
I'll volunteer if he promises NEVER to do that.
Re:Little difference? (Score:5, Funny)
In other future news,
Re:Sign me up! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Little difference? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Little difference? (Score:4, Funny)
I thought about volunteering, but the thought of having a 20 minute ping time while playing Modern Warfare kinda turned me off the whole thing. As soon as they figure out a way to send FTL signals, though, I'm all over it!
Re:Little difference? (Score:4, Funny)
And the settlers marsupials?
*ducks*
Re:Little difference? (Score:4, Funny)
I'm pretty sure there would still be many volunteers even if they would die the moment they arrive.
Re:Does anyone else feel that this article... (Score:2, Funny)
Canada alone could comfortably fit billions,
The rest of us Canadians might have something to say about that... You might think of us as beer-loving, igloo-living, hockey-playing goons, but we know how to fight and we'll go to lengths to protect our country. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to find a serviette... I just spilled poutine on the chesterfield...
Re:Little difference? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I'll go. (Score:3, Funny)
Send me, a half dozen inflatable greenhouses, enough plants to eat/breathe from, and some quonset-type buriable shelters.
If this is a real interest, you could buy a square mile of desert for a few dollars and do pretty much the same thing on earth. Just hold your breath anytime you're outside of your hut. No need for NASA's help.
Re:Little difference? (Score:1, Funny)
Hey dumbass, there would not be a 20 minute ping time! Modern Warfare's servers would of course endeavor connect you with local players.
When I took my Xbox to Germany, I fried it because I did not understand the different power connectors.
But when I played on a rented one, everyone was speaking the local gibberish.
So unless you are near Valles Marineris and the people you are playing are all the way over by Aethiopis - you should be fine.
Use your brain, man. If you are going to be showing your ignorance, you should at least post AC.
Re:Little difference? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Little difference? (Score:3, Funny)