Monday, November 15, 2010

One Way Manned Mission to Mars?


Tim Sayell & Dan sent in an articles from Yahoo News & the BDN in which scientists have suggested that to save money and to spur exploration of the red planet, that a one way manned mission to Mars be mounted.

With a one way trip, a much smaller ship is needed as well as less fuel and supplies if the explorer was not expecting to return. More of a colonist than anything. Dirk Schulze-Makuch, a Washington State University professor and co-author of the paper said that older people are a possibility as explorers. Schulze-Makuch said, "That's because the mission would undoubtedly reduce a person's lifespan, from a lack of medical care and exposure to radiation....."

Ed Mitchell of Apollo 14, president Obama and NASA spokesman Michael Braukus have all responded coolly to the idea however. Braukus was quoted saying "We want our people back"

Read the rest of this rather bizzare proposal here

2 comments:

Lynn said...

Have heart-the same proposal was said about the Moon shot at first-but we did manage to bring them back.

Beam Me Up said...

Hi Lynn
Oh yeah, I have no doubt that a two way mission will be the method of choice should the matter ever arise. But I think it is the shear audacity of this proposal that has everyone so polarized. I can already see that this is going to be something fun to run with on this week's program.

Thanks for the note
Paul