Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: yamo on 23/12/2010 08:26:50

Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: yamo on 23/12/2010 08:26:50
Also, please, give the reasons for your choice.
Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: graham.d on 23/12/2010 10:31:16
No. I may go on a one way trip to some other planet populated by friendly aliens, out of scientific curiosity, but I can't see the value in going to Mars. It may or may not advance human knowledge but really only makes a difference of a few years. On the other hand, I might be willing to take a reasonable risk, but I would like a good chance of returning.
Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: graham.d on 23/12/2010 10:32:20
So others know, if you type a response, then vote, your response is thrown away, so vote first!!
Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: CliffordK on 23/12/2010 11:14:35
Yes...

The next step for mankind will be colonizing the offworld planets in our solar system.  And, like the pioneers from Europe to America...  or from the East to West...  there has to be some brave souls that head there first on a one-way trip.  There would be no sense expending the resources for a return trip...  until a permanent colony is started, and manufacturing is begun.  And even then, it is unlikely that many people will jump back to earth.  I can imagine that much of the interplanetary travel will be with drones. 

Personally I'd skip Mars.

Start with colonizing the moon.

Then jump to Callisto.

Venus would bring some big decisions...  Build "cloud colonies", or build the technology to cool the whole planet, and capture all the atmospheric CO2.  It would take a Herculean effort, but it is the only planet in our solar system that could ever be made to be "earth-like".  And efforts to terraform Venus would help build the technology if we were to ever choose to try to leave the solar system.  Early efforts on Venus, of course, would start with building satellites and cloud colonies though.

Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: chris on 23/12/2010 11:22:38
The only reason for going on such a one way trip would be to be the first to go there. I'm not sure that's really a sufficiently compelling reason. I think we should engineer a solution that included the return journey.

This is the moon landings, mk 2.

Chris
Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: Joe L. Ogan on 23/12/2010 14:54:11
I will only make one one-way from this world.  Thanks for comments.  Joe L. Ogan
Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: Geezer on 24/12/2010 00:59:47
No, but I can think of some other people who I would like to see taking a one way trip to Mars  [:D]
Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: Don_1 on 24/12/2010 07:40:02
What's this I've got in the mornings post from Geezer, is it a Christmas card? Is it money? (fat chance), Is it........ Oh look, its a ticket to Mars, how kind.

ONE WAY??? ONE BLOODY WAY!!! Why you........................
Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: CliffordK on 28/12/2010 22:44:20
I thought it was every kid's dream to fly into space...

Now you all are saying that while you might agree with the concept of space flight, you have no intention of ever becoming a pioneer on a distant planet?
Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: SteveFish on 28/12/2010 23:42:40
If I had terminal cancer and the right circumstances I would do it. I might do it if I were very old and alone. I would be favorable, but would have to think hard about if I could get a deal that would greatly benefit my grandkids. As Joe L. said, I don't think we are going to get out of this one alive, why not make it count.
Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: QuantumClue on 28/12/2010 23:53:10
Aldrin, Armstrong... (and Collins I think guh) when on their mission knew that their journey could indeed be one-way. In fact, it got to the point (after some bizarre events, including observing a UFO and technical problems coming from the rather antiquated computer system) that the president of America had wrote a letter which was to inform the nation that their return could never be accomplished. Luckily, thanks to the expertize of the astronauts, they returned safely.

Personally, I voted no.
Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: QuantumClue on 29/12/2010 00:23:37
Sorry, I meant to write Aldrin...
Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: Geezer on 29/12/2010 00:35:14
from the rather antiquated computer system

I hope it wasn't antiquated at the time  [:D]  It certainly was incredibly primitive compared with what we have today.
Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: QuantumClue on 29/12/2010 01:50:58
from the rather antiquated computer system

I hope it wasn't antiquated at the time  [:D]  It certainly was incredibly primitive compared with what we have today.

Oh indeed, very archaic compared to our current technology :)
Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: QuantumClue on 29/12/2010 01:51:33
To the standards of a digital alarm clock I've been told.
Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: FuzzyUK on 29/12/2010 17:49:40
The only reason for going on such a one way trip would be to be the first to go there.

Well, it could also be one way of escaping from a nagging wife forever.
Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: QuantumClue on 29/12/2010 17:51:27
She may even pay for your trip ;)
Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: Geezer on 29/12/2010 20:31:39
To the standards of a digital alarm clock I've been told.

It certainly was incredibly wimpy. Mind you, it's surprising what you can do, even with a really small machine. I once wrote a two player interactive version of battleships and cruisers complete with full cheat prevention that ran on a 16 bit computer that had a 1K word memory. The processor had a whopping twenty instructions.
Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: Airthumbs on 31/12/2010 19:56:51
I'd go sign me up, gimme that ticket! Of course I might have a few demands for things I would like to take with me...
Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: CliffordK on 31/12/2010 22:04:33
I'd go sign me up, gimme that ticket! Of course I might have a few demands for things I would like to take with me...

Wait till you find out that traveling to the Stars doesn't mean there is a Starbucks on every corner!!!
Title: Would you be willing to go on a one way trip to Mars?
Post by: Airthumbs on 01/01/2011 02:13:30
Don't drink coffee, don't drink alcohol, don't eat fast food, definitely don't need Starbucks. Gimme that ticket!