Should we send people to Mars if it is a one-way trip?

Glen Beck?

I think if the plan were to sustain their lives as long as possible, then sure, why not?

In some ways, it’s very similar to how folks immigrated over to the New World. That was a one-way trip for most folks. They had no intention and often less ability to return. They had to make it.

The difference is sustainability. Not exactly a hospitable environment there. So it’d be a serious commitment to support them… and what likely would be a growing colony as people have kids. 50 years from now, they’d still be largely dependent on Earth support. And it’s not like any other budgetary line item you can just cross off.

Beyond scientific exploration, their best bet would be to create a market value (raw materials, technology patents, something) so there would be Earth-side advocates who would fight for them here.

Seems like an awfully lonely existence, but if someone wanted to volunteer for it, and passed the necessary psychological evaluations, I say, “Why not?”.

Yep, and the first we are going to send is Kanye West.
I wondered about this yesterday, when i saw some docu on NatGeo.
Maybe some suicidal (but just enough will to live for another six-8 months) scientist would do it?

To colonize it? Sure, once we get the technology.
I’d like to see what’s done for water, and for the -200 degree periods.

For the sake of booting them off of earth? Sounds expensive.

Kanye West
Who said that?!

I know a few people that I’d love to send.

Sure! Can I make a few suggestions for the passenger list?

It would be a great solution to our over crowding Prisons.

I think the technology already exists such that a round trip is feasible, if not already in use. It’s just not for public consumption. My $.02.

@mponochie, so sending them to Mars could be similar to when convicts were sent to Australia? :D

I wouldn’t mind living on Mars, but I’d want it to be in the future, when there is adequate life-support, water resources, food, etc. And sheep. Or alpaca, I’m not picky.

“I’ve got a little list. (They’d none of them be missed.)”

After listening to Anousheh Ansari on Oprah http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahradio/gking/gking_20061201 my answer is yes, I am ok with sending people on a one-way trip. She spoke of always wanting to go into space, that she would have paid anything, even with her life, to travel in space and witness our planet from that perspective. Kind of not related, I wish I had a link with video of her actual converstation with Oprah. She spoke of how from that perspective in space it seems impossible that there are countries with borders, that we would harm the planet, really moving. Her profession was not being an astronaut, but I would guess some astronauts have the same awe and commitment. People like this who are so inspired by space travel, so committed should be able to go.

I know some people that I would like to send, but if we send people there, wouldn’t we need people to come back and pick up more? And would there only be enough fuel to get you there and back like the Cold Equations by Tom Godwin? How do you think it would work. The ship that they are sent on would that be the starting of houses?
But in general, I think it would be an excellent idea.

No, that wouldn’t be ethical, even if people volunteered. Going to Mars is only feasible when there is a return trip being planned.

I’m sure plenty of people would agree to do it. Though yes, many would die in the process, just like with any exploration voyage. The difference this time is that we actually know the dangers.The voyage is far more dangerous than ever before (there’s not just big waves along the way, there’s no oxygen in space plus there’s radiation, not to mention that the actual destination is no paradise). Would be very different if we were going to colonise an already terraformed (or Earth-like) planet, with atmosphere, plants, water and animals to hunt, more or less what the first colonists found in America (and even they had trouble to start with, and many died).

I still think we can plan it well enough (and slow enough) to make it successful.

Yes, if people volunteered.

Too funny, just spoke of this yesterday and personally, I don’t see a big problem with it. I liked the comment about the corelation between this trip and the trip to the “new world” back in the day.
I think it would be incredible. Yes, people would be starting with a rather primitive culture, society and whatever else, but when considering the technological advancements that have taken place, I think whoever went would be off to a decent start.

You guys would waste an awesome trip to Mars on society’s undesirables? What a waste!

Too bad you cant ask the 200 outstanding citizens the Government sent there about 20 years ago…..the other beings took advantage of our government made (just like the Philadelphia experiment, it blew up in their faces) and “kept” the people…who are there to this day, NOT happy…okay? Im sure everyone will call me crazy and come back with a ton of insults or mockery, but just know this: WE HAVE BEEN LIED TO AS LONG AS WE HAVE BEEN ALIVE. Please wake up brothers and sisters!!!!!!!....ps re: the Philadelphia Experiment, When the Eldridge dematerialized in 1943, it ripped an enormous “hole” in Hyperspace, “forty years wide,” according to Al Bielek.

“This tremendous tear in time allowed a vast contingent of aliens to enter our space-time continuum,” Believe that.

@dawnatilla How did you uncover this conspiracy? Links please