The Official Mars One Thread - Human settlement on Mars by 2025

[The End]

My theory: IF they make the trip to Mars (and that's a pretty big IF) they have to worry about medical emergencies (what if someone needs an operation? on-the-site training? good luck with that.), air leaks, sandstorms messing with the equipment, meteors (on the trip there and after settling), "cabin fever" testing their sanity, and if those problems all get addressed: coping and living together with one another in those small cubicles for the rest of their lives.

It's a good thing that -

1. Humanity simply spawned into the 21st century with everything as is.
2. No human being as ever travelled to far off, dangerous lands or lived in isolation with little hope of seeing home again.
3. No human being has ever risked their lives in the name of discovery and exploration.

Okay, non-sarcastic answer - they'll be trained for 7 years which will include medical training, they'll have non-essential bits removed (like the appendix) to remove any future complications involving those from the equation, they'll be in constant contact with experts from Earth of all sorts of fields. Meteors, on the trip there? I don't know if you are aware of this, but meteors that travel around the solar system are predictable as they're caught by the gravity of the sun and planets. They have these things called telescopes and other equipment that have been watching the skies for many years now; they'd know what's in the flight path and could account for it. The risk of being hit by meteors or asteroids once they're living there would be way down on the list of things they should be concerned about, the chances of it are minor. Cabin fever - human beings live for long periods in isolation, like in the South Pole. All applicants would be psychologically tested, those that get through to training will be trained in different groups to see who works best with who, and their ability to handle isolation will be tested.

Quite frankly, (and I grant that it is all a big if, if Mars One is successful in getting people there) if 4 people get there, they'll have access to modern facilities, comforts, training and equipment that the great explorers of the past did not ever have.

Also.

There's a lot of stuff that's covered on the Mars One's website, they have an FAQ.

http://www.mars-one.com/faq/mission-to-mars/what-are-the-risks-of-dust-and-sand-on-mars

For the Conspiracy Theory nuts: if the governments are keeping "aliens" or UFO's secret, they aren't going to let these people off the ground. And if they do, they won't survive in space. Some kind of equipment malfunction will occur and they will either blow up or not leave at all. OR: the infamous "fake moon landing theory." They'll film the entire tv show on a sound stage or in the desert somewhere.

Why do we care what conspiracy theory nuts think?

I have no doubt in my mind that this WILL be the biggest astronomical disaster for the history books.

Are you guys born with psychic powers or is it something you attain?

 

[The End]

It takes about 9 months to get to Mars.

The present space shuttle cannot carry enough food, water, oxygen and fuel to keep a crew alive that long.

Around 7 months apparently.

http://www.mars-one.com/faq/mission-to-mars/how-long-does-it-take-to-travel-to-mars

But that's actually a sensible question about the shuttle they'd be using, one I don't know the answer to.

 

[Mr.M]

I'm all for human achievement, etc, but I'd much, much rather live on Earth than a place like Mars which is desolate and where suits are required to live. If only people appreciated what they had here.

That's pretty near sighted. One has nothing to do with the other. It's about establishing the new frontier and being the first pioneers, just as settlers arriving to the New World left everything behind centuries ago. I know if I were qualified and did not have any notable family or obligations on Earth, I'd definitely be interested, even if it were a one way trip.

That said, Mars One is pretty comical and will not serve any practical purposes with this kind of schedule. Just being realistic. I think we'd want to develop a new propulsion system before going there. These 7 month to 2 1/2 year trips in space isn't going to do the human body any favors. I think 2100 is a better timeline in terms of permanent settlements. No question we will put people on the ground before then, but I don't see these being permanent settlers. I think teams will rotate on 5-10 year cycles as long as they can synthesize a fuel source on the ground and live off the land. If we can't do that, then we won't see people going there period.

 

[Mike_D202]

Around 7 months apparently.

http://www.mars-one.com/faq/mission-to-mars/how-long-does-it-take-to-travel-to-mars

But that's actually a sensible question about the shuttle they'd be using, one I don't know the answer to.

...are you a spokesman for Mars One? LOL. I mean no offense, but your backing everything up with the official website. That's like showing everybody the nutrition facts on the McDonalds website for a Big Mac and telling everybody not to worry.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Why the hell would you take the "present space shuttle" to Mars on a one-way trip?

 

[Thundercrack85]

They're retired anyway. They're going to need to design an interplanetary vehicle from scratch.

How are those designs coming along btw?

 

[The End]

...are you a spokesman for Mars One? LOL. I mean no offense, but your backing everything up with the official website. That's like showing everybody the nutrition facts on the McDonalds website for a Big Mac and telling everybody not to worry.

It's not equivalent. There's descriptions that are pretty relevant to common questions based on current understanding of conditions on Mars. It's called being informed.

Say there's a criticism about losing muscle mass 'cause the gravity is about a third of ours on Earth. Well, they gotta exercise 3 hours a day to keep their muscle mass up, and that's one of the things the website covers. It's just handy that way. Don't be sore because none of your criticisms made any sense

 

[Thundercrack85]

You have stock in this, don't you?

 

[The End]

Just interested.

 

[zeroapoc]

Sorry but I think we should only be sending robots and equipment to construct habitats for the near future. Maybe once something remotely livable is in place then people can inhabit.

Comparisons to previous human explorations simply do not apply. They were at least traveling to destinations already suited for human life. This is a whole other level.

 

[Thundercrack85]

I think the moon would be a much more realistic focus. Obviously it doesn't have the same cachet as Mars, but it's a lot more manageable.

Plus it would give people confidence in a future Mars venture.

 

[The End]

Thing is a habitat on Mars would be more self-sustainable than one on the moon. Thinking about it, a moon colony would need a constant stream of supplies which would just cost a massive fortune. Whereas on Mars, providing they can get water from Mars' ice, they get food, water, and oxygen.

If the public hadn't lost interest in space exploration decades ago and if NASA had kept their focus on the moon we probably would have seen a habitat on the moon years ago and it would still be interesting to see one but a Mars colony is the holy grail!

 

[Thundercrack85]

Potentially. But I am not sure if self-sustainability is such a desirable thing at this stage. In regards to the Moon anyway. The more traffic, the better.

Having a colony on Mars before having one on the Moon (self-sufficient or not) seems like trying to run before learning how to walk to me.

But yeah, it doesn't have the same appeal.

I think that will inevitably be the case nonetheless.

 

[Mike_D202]

You have stock in this, don't you?

He's going to lose his retirement fund on this investment.

 

[Mr.M]

Thing is a habitat on Mars would be more self-sustainable than one on the moon. Thinking about it, a moon colony would need a constant stream of supplies which would just cost a massive fortune. Whereas on Mars, providing they can get water from Mars' ice, they get food, water, and oxygen.

If the public hadn't lost interest in space exploration decades ago and if NASA had kept their focus on the moon we probably would have seen a habitat on the moon years ago and it would still be interesting to see one but a Mars colony is the holy grail!

The moon has ice, Helium 3 (fuel for fushion), and bountiful solar energy. And oh yeah, it's a 4 day trip, not 8 months. There is infinitely more benefits to establishing a settlement there. You have to be able to pay for these ventures, and believe me, the Moon can pay for itself many times over than Mars can at least for the next few decades.

 

[SV Fan]

Around 7 months apparently.

http://www.mars-one.com/faq/mission-to-mars/how-long-does-it-take-to-travel-to-mars

But that's actually a sensible question about the shuttle they'd be using, one I don't know the answer to.

It should be pointed out that is is modern technology(or shall I say 20th century technology). Personally I think any money spent on mars should look into finding faster ways to get their. I think it can be a big boom for society(and it's energy issues) if they can come up with a way to get to mars in under a month

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2417551,00.asp

 

[The End]

http://www.elle.com/news/culture/mars-one-mission-sue-ann-pien-interview

Meet One Woman Who Plans to Colonize Mars

What made you decide to be a part of the mission?
Ever since I was little, I always thought that space should be the final frontier. I could never understand why people would spend money on wars or guns rather than exploring space. So that kind of culled something near and dear to my heart from a very young age.

Should all go well, what do you think this mission will mean for our future?
[Even] if I don't make the next round I would continue to support Mars One and space exploration. Stephen Hawking mentions the possibility of extinction as a planet in 1,000 years if we do not move off Earth and the consequences are already visible in climate change, species extinction, and the great disparity of quality of life between those who have money and those who do not. I'm certain we are ready to explore more sustainable options for our own civilization as a whole humanity and look forward to reaching the stars beyond, whether with Mars One, Elon Musk, or other organizations. I still believe I will reach outer space in my lifetime even if I do not pass the next round.

Mars One indiegogo

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/mars-one-first-private-mars-mission-in-2018

 

[Mr.M]

Sounds like a bunch of propaganda to me.... The End. An actress and a Customer Sales Rep making the cut? If you think anyone but hardcore engineers and scientists are going to be among the people going into any prolonged adventures in space, you are out of your mind.

But at the very least, maybe Mars One will at least bring some awareness to the issue, so that when it is finally time to put people there, the issues will have been brought to light in a very public forum, and people will be more receptive to the idea, especially when much of these expenditures will come from their tax dollars.

 

[Mike_D202]

They need cool uniforms.

 

[The End]

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/24438929/mars-one-program-one-step-closer-to-colonizing-mars

Heidi Beemer is on the short list to make the trip to Mars and says everything is being put into place to make it work.

"They're sending six rockets to the surface of Mars and those six rockets will have two habitation systems and two life support systems and two supplies," Beemer said. "Once you connect them all together using robots, we'll then be able to live there on the surface in crews of four. Once we're there, we'll be able to do all sorts of things. Science will be our main objective. We'll be going outside of the habitat three times a week and we'll be conducting scientific experiments, learning about Mars' past, Mars' future and ultimately Earth's future as part of the solar system."

Beemer also says that this is an opportunity to live her dream and that she wants to make the one way trip to Mars in order to help humanity.

[YT]5kaOPVNdbKk[/YT]

Mars One Indiegogo campaign

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/mars-one-first-private-mars-mission-in-2018

 

[Thundercrack85]

Sounds like a bunch of propaganda to me.... The End. An actress and a Customer Sales Rep making the cut? If you think anyone but hardcore engineers and scientists are going to be among the people going into any prolonged adventures in space, you are out of your mind.

But at the very least, maybe Mars One will at least bring some awareness to the issue, so that when it is finally time to put people there, the issues will have been brought to light in a very public forum, and people will be more receptive to the idea, especially when much of these expenditures will come from their tax dollars.

To be fair, most of the critics of this are hardcore engineers and scientists.

 

[The End]

Hardcore engineers and scientists are in their advisory team and among the applicants, so.

 

[james-in-cali]

I just listened to 2 hours of coast 2 coast am with one of the final 1000 applicants, he seemed to be pretty confident that this is happening. He was an 72 yr old former astronaut that would be 81 at launch. It sounds a lot like Robert Zubrin's mars express plan years ago, and I think he's part of the mars society that's behind this. As much as want all of this to happen it's a pipe dream, I just don't think we are there yet.

 

[Mr.M]

To be fair, most of the critics of this are hardcore engineers and scientists.

Maybe because it's not feasible right now with today's technology the current budgetary constraints? Six stations assembled by robots? You don't just land these things and turn on the switch once people land there. How the hell do you even power six stations like that? How do you recycle O2 and CO2 without a self-sustaining ecosystem? If The End, or anyone else care to hypothesize, I'm all ears.

Of course, these habitats need to be perfected on the moon for a few decades before we shuttle them off to Mars. We need people living on the moon for prolonged periods to make sure this is viable for the human body. Nobody is going to Mars for another 40-50 years, it's just not happening. We'll get back to the moon some time in the 2020's and then take the baby steps from there. But the moon habitat has to be perfected before we make one way Mars trips. That's the practical way of doing things, and that's why Mars One is a joke in these scientific peer reviewed communities.

Again, I give Mars One credit for raising awareness to the issue. This is all one giant commercial to raise funding. Who knows, someday this project may still be alive and kicking when it finally does have the financial backing. I seriously don't know who would donate to this project at this time though, given its total impracticality. Who's to say donations wouldn't be used to fuel more propaganda though? I don't know.

 

[The End]

Radio interview with applicant.

http://www.thebounce.ca/2014/01/14/going-going-gone-forever/

Over the last couple of shows we’ve been talking with Christy and Ian from Edmonton. She’s been shortlisted to be a part of the Mars One mission – a one way trip to colonize the red planet. Her hubby applied but didn’t make the cut. So what happens now? Listen to their amazing story and ask yourself if you’d be o.k. with never seeing a loved one ever again. This is a fascinating listen…

Indiegogo campaign for the first Mars One mission http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/mars-one-first-private-mars-mission-in-2018