Gizmodo
Would you go on a mission to Mars? What about if it was a one-way mission? And you were by yourself? Yeah, that changes things a bit. Well, that's exactly what former NASA engineer Jim McClane suggests, saying that it's worth considering and removes many of the hurdles keeping us from the Red Planet now.
Dubbed "Spirit of the Lone Eagle," his plan would eliminate the hardest aspect of any potential Mars mission: the need to launch off of Mars to return to Earth.
"When we eliminate the need to launch off Mars, we remove the mission's most daunting obstacle," said McLane. And because of a small crew size, the spacecraft could be smaller and the need for consumables and supplies would be decreased, making the mission cheaper and less complicated.So, what do you say, wannabe space travelers? Would you ride in a tiny spaceship to Mars by yourself to be known as the first human ever to travel to, and then die on, Mars? [Universe Today via Danger Room]While some might classify this as a suicide mission, McLane feels the concept is completely logical.
"There would be tremendous risk, yes," said McLane, "but I don't think that's guaranteed any more than you would say climbing a mountain alone is a suicide mission. People do dangerous things all the time, and this would be something really unique, to go to Mars. I don't think there would be any shortage of people willing to volunteer for the mission. Lindbergh was someone who was willing to risk everything because it was worth it. I don't think it will be hard to find another Lindbergh to go to Mars. That will be the easiest part of this whole program."
Comments
Well ... climbing a mountain alone is ok ... i mean you are still on the same plant right ? and the chance of coming back (dead or alive) is pretty high.
But alone on Mars ? Hoping that some day someone comes too pick you up ? or just starve to death ... cause afaik you cant grow any stuff on mars to eat...
LMAO THAT PICTURE IS PRICELESS!
If there are free donuts supplied at the other end and ready for consumption when I get there count me in!
hey ill go....oh wait, nevermind
I do believe a few ex-gf's of mine deserve this honor.
I was wondering if they were going to ever consider this... I don't think I would but I bet if they asked they'd get people willing to go. Most not qualified I'm sure, but a few, maybe.
The potential gain for science and man could be huge. Or not, but only one way to truely find out.
Who ever said DIE on mars? Don't you think that if the first guy gets there safe, and lives happily for a few years, they would send an OTHER spacecraft there? this one with the possibility of giving you company or a trip back? :D
Can we nominate people we would like blasted off to Mars? I say we have some kind of national vote...
Screw THAT!!! I'm all for sacrifices in the name of pushing the boundaries of human knowledge, but that's just crazy. What he's suggesting is the opening sequence of a horror movie.
I'm sure they could find someone with terminal cancer or someone on deth row in prison.
Or someone who was depressed to the point of suicide because they think life isn't worth living and they can become famous.
Actually seriously I'd sign up if they were planning on shipping the equipment necessary to make a permanent habitat a la the "Red Mars" book series.
Honestly, I think there would be a line of lost Gen Yers willing to accept this mission. The chosen person would be the ultimate "reality TV star" and have a historic legacy as an American hero. For a generation of young people looking for a lasting legacy, this would be the ultimate mission (presuming it succeeded as planned).
I am suprised the Russians did not do this already durring the cold war.
"In Soviet Russia, Red Planet conquers YOU".
@enine:
yeah, put a depressed person that's contemplating suicide on a spaceship, alone, in space... *cue "how could this happen to me?" music* "Houston, I can't take it anymore. Tell the police I'm the dead guy on Mars. I'm so sorry."
@Samifumi:
THAT'S what we need..... Emo Astronauts!
Let's see....a one way ticket to mars....or a summer and fall of presidential election politics. The one way ticket to mars please.
First that photo rules it.
Second, if you packed me enough weed for life...err okay say 30 years, I would sign up right now.
Actually, 15 years of weed and an equal number of super hi-tech non-flame laser lighter with a super high tech official NASA bong, I would be in!
Where did that cat picture come from? He looks disturbingly identical to my cat.
This would be a PR NIGHTMARE for NASA. Imagine the public outcry when the crew slowly starts to run out of food, water, and oxygen, breathing their final pleading breaths live via satellite. It won't be like the Challenger disaster where even though the end was horrific, it was at least over quickly with some degree of dignity.
For this I imagine there will be at least a week of tears and slow suffocating death in store for the crew. Like any animal fighting for survival the last few days won't be a graceful curtain call. More like in-fights, murder, suicide, cannibalism, and last ditch praying to impotent gods. Actions that will be interpreted almost certainly as anything but heroic (and let's face it NASA loves nothing more than to get its rocks off from its heroism fetish).
Yea, try to get public funding for another Mars mission after THAT.
ATA
@Bash_: look at how long its taken us to build the international space station. it is only in orbit around our planet and we have several different countries devoting resources to it. anybody who has ever studied what isolation does to a person knows that the astronaut would be in danger of going crazy before running out of supplies.
As long as I can take my iPod, I'm game.
@rtwod2: Well, I should have framed it as being ANY American. I think there would be thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of Americans that would love a shot at being the next Neil Armstrong as opposed to that day to day death in an office cubicle.
@atomicafro: More likely they would cut the feed, and the person would start to slowly go insane from lack of interaction with humans, or even a pet.
I'm totally down for that. I'd even quit smoking and start exercising for it.
The whole point of space travel is the challenge. Why not stop whining about how we can't figure out how to lift off of mars and just figure it out. So what if it takes us another 5-10 years to get there, it ain't going anywhere. And 5-10 years relitive to the lifespan of the human species, let alone our plaent, let alone our universe, is nothing.
Anyone remember "Joe vs. The Volcano"? They should at least let the person live it up a bit before going.
Ripley: Well, somebody's gonna have to go out there. Take a portable terminal, go out there and patch in manually.
Hudson: Oh yeah, sure! With those things runnin' around? You can count me out.
Hicks: Yeah I guess we can just count you out of everything, Hudson.
Bishop: [speaking under Hicks] I'll go.
Hudson: That's right, man.
Bishop: I'll go.
Hudson: Hey, why don't you go, man!
Bishop: [more loudly] I'll go.
Ripley: What?
Bishop: I'll go. I mean, I'm the only one qualified to remote-pilot the ship anyway.
Hudson: Yeah right, man, Bishop should go. Good idea!
Bishop: Believe me, I'd prefer not to. I may be synthetic, but I'm not stupid.
@Xavoc: actually it 's more likely that they get "pills" that will do the job quick and painless
I nominate ... Major Tom.
No need for a suicidal perspective, if the equipment to feed me on the way there still works and can be me mantained it would be a little less crazy idea.
Remember that we sent a guy named Buzz on a can to the Moon a time enough for it to be X times crazier.
Maybe he's available.
@GoatMonkey: geez, guy. how many movies do you know the script for?..
Count me in! I wonder how long someone could survive on the planet?
I would do it in a heart beat. Most of our lives are essentially worthless anyway. Given the chance to make history and make one small step forward for human kind, wouldn't you do it?
...Of course, I would have to keep a cyanide capsule handy in case I go insane and start having fist fights with Wilson.
@ANoel: Damn you! You JUST beat me to it. At the risk of being unoriginal...
Can you hear me Major Tom?...
I'm totally there.
@izim1: Only the ones relevant to the gizmodo posting I am reading at the moment.
@atomicafro: Impotent gods? Maybe you are praying to the wrong one.
Well if this ever happens I hope they give them a way to die peacefully.
I'm assuming they don't intend on you to actually live on Mars. You're gonna run out of shit pretty quick probably. So my questions are:
Is it considered suicide(a very drawn out version with a purpose)?
Will they make it so you have a painless death instead of cringing over in utter starvation? Perhaps giving you something to have you go quietly.
I'd do it if someone could convince me that there was a possible way back(lying of course), therefore I don't go there with the intention of dying therefore not making it suicide.
Ipod loaded with the Desert Planet selection a must.
It would be a fun reward to make and leave fake Martian artifacts to screw with everyone while waiting to die.
where are my frickin flying cars?
No, no, again, it's not meant to be suicidal but one would not count of coming back. What would be the point in sending someone there to quickly decay and die? Enough provision for lifekeeping would be needed in order to carry out the needed experiments and explorations.
Ok, no more posts from me.
If there's supposedly hundreds/thousands of people who'd volunteer, then why just 1? The biggest problem they have, is getting OFF Mars right? That, and of course expenses. While we don't have the technology or know how to get back home, as long as we can supply the funds, we can fly more people, and spacecrafts to bring food and supplies to those who volunteer to live out the rest of their lives there. At least they won't go crazy, they won't fun out of food and supplies, so they'd live longer and provide a lifetime of research.
I love the comparisions. Nobody does those things knowing there is a 100% chance they wont be coming back. There is always a chance. Lindhberg? Dude flew to france. Yes it was risky but there was a destination, with food, and women.
@izim1: Uncle Google says "All of them". Hell I'd go. They just need to start sending the microwave meals now. Would suck to get there and they didn't start arriving until about a week after you starved to death.
First thing I thought of...
[arcade.nick.com]
@MarlboroTestMonkey7:
Don't you know? In space Jesus can't hear you scream!
How long does it take to get to mars anyway?
Yeah, it's exactly like climbing a mountain by yourself.... right after that mountain blasts off into space never to return to Earth.
@Joseph: I agree. That may be the single greatest photo ever taken.
Ansel Adams whishes he had snapped that but in black and white.
Here's a new idea for a reality TV show, we pick 10 celebrities, evict them one by one and whoever is left is blasted into space to die on Mars.
There are three words I'd normally have to say about this... but, for the sake of politeness, I present you with the profanity-free version:
Have sex with that excrement.
Ok so will you trade your life to have your name immortalized?
HAY LETS GO TO MARZ
There's only one crucial flaw: the whole reason anybody tries to become famous is to get laid afterwards. So unless I'm assured 72 beautiful space-virgins when I get there, count me out.
@gizak: exactly. plus, you know they arent going to send "bob from down the street who just got fired from his cubicle job and wife just left him", they are going to send the most qualified people. just send a group. (make sure both measurements are using the same system: "300 FEET?!! i thought you said METERS!!") then if they survive the trip send another group with more supplies and so on and so on. next thing you know, you have a fully functional "bio-dome" and pretty soon, hundreds. and after a while human population will be split 50-50 on earth AND mars.....
I'd go, what's the big deal, didn't you guys see all the cool stuff there in the movie Total Recall? They have prostitutes with three boobs! It's been my dream to go there since I saw that movie. Where do I sign up?
yeah no redundancy so if the person is sick or gets injured or something were to happen to the craft. I say try this on the moon, much closer and an option of pick up.
And no I wouldn't do this no reason to be a martyr for science.
No Man is a Martian.
Hmmm, I mean, if you sent plenty of lube, and beamed 24/7 PR0N sites...would you really be that alone. Maybe you'd find some spice or do some wind surfin. nah. I would atleast need trees. Gotta have trees.
(Huey, Duey and Luey for compadrés)
But the ping man! I bitch and moan over 100 p