Posted on 05/09/2013 2:28:07 PM PDT by presidio9
Mars One applications have only been available for two weeks, and already over 78,000 people have submitted video applications to be part of the one way trip to the red planet.
Scheduled for 2022, the Mars One mission, imagined by the Dutch non-profit of the same name, aims to establish a self-sustaining colony on Mars. According to Time, the physiological change to the human body after an extended stay on Mars would mean no chance of returning to Earth for would-be astronauts.
While the initial flood of applications has led Mars One co-founder Bas Lansdorp to call the mission "the most desired job in history," Mars One colonists would face trying conditions that could make it difficult for the organization to find its desired 500,000 applicants.
A daily routine on the planet would involve construction work, maintenance, research and a constant battle against Mars' inhospitable conditions.
But these hurdles don't seem to concern the applicants so far.
According to The Week, applicants were charged a fee between $5 to $75 depending on the country from which they were applying. U.S. residents were charged a $38 fee.
Some applicants see the mission as an opportunity to fulfill childhood dreams of exploring space. Others are excited about the prospect of becoming a part of history, and many have specific skills that they feel would make them ideal candidates for the mission.
Applicant videos can be viewed and rated on Mars One's website.
A significant amount of skepticism and criticism has followed the project since its announcement, much of it focused on Mars One's fund raising concept.
The organization plans to create a reality TV show around the applicants' preparation for the mission. According to The New York Times, Landsorp, who will be an executive producer for the show, believes it can generate the $6 billion needed to launch the mission. He says:
"This will be one of the biggest events in human history. We are talking about creating a major media spectacle, much bigger than the moon landings or the Olympics, and with huge potential for revenues coming from TV rights and sponsorships."
Other criticisms come from the scientific community. According to New Scientist, Martian dust, which covers the surface of the planet, contains perchlorates which can be harmful to the thyroid gland. Veins of gypsum have also been found on the planet, which can build up in the lungs if inhaled.
Even though the astronauts wouldn't be breathing Mars atmosphere directly, the fine powder could cling to their space suits, and could find its way into the body. Dangerous radiation is also a chief concern.
Mars One insists, however vaguely, that the technology exists to combat these potential issues. The organization touts solar panels, simple rovers which will begin construction ahead of human arrival, and zero political involvement as key pillars that will make the mission possible.
I’d like to make up the list of 78,000 names to go.
Starting with test flights this year!!!
I’m not applying. Every time I go to Mars my luggage ends up on Saturn.
Obama can solve that with a high speed train from DC to Mars.
If I were in similar circumstances, I would sign up.
Yes, if I could convince my husband to go with me.
Why not?
I expect that many of those selected will change their minds rather than go through with it.
Nope not me. Not going, thanks. There might be a peaceful race of tall blue aliens there and we would be invading their planet...and for what? unobatamium? ;-)
I’ve joked about living on Mars now, but this place really isn’t even close at over 9200 feet, dry, windy and cold. The 78,000 applicants are each either joking with no intent of going or insane. One malfunction on Mars, and they’ll be done.
Hmmm. On second thought, after reading some responses from folks willing to take one-way trips to Mars, maybe offers of vacations to Venus would be useful...and of course, far easier...
THE MARCHING MORONS
by C. M. Kornbluth
http://home1.gte.net/bookies/BookClub/Marching%20Morons.txt
Gadzooks!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.