To Boldly Go..And Never Come Back

Last fall, the Journal of Cosmology published an article by a couple of scientists making the case for one-way trips to the planet Mars.

The idea so tickled the imagination of readers that 400 have written in to volunteer, according to FoxNews.com. The article, co-authored by Dirk Schulze-Makuch of Washington State University, and Paul Davies of Arizona State University, argue that humans must begin colonizing another planet to hedge against the possibility of a catastrophe that wipes out life on Earth.

Home, sweet home? One day, perhaps

Schulze-Makuch and Davies say that the planet has sufficient resources for colonists to use to sustain themselves. But in order to keep the costs of any Mars colonization project manageable - reaching Mars would take about six months - they say the trips would need to be one-way.

Not exactly the usual come-on you'll come across in a travel brochure. Still, the idea of adventure has stirred some with an urge to sign on the line which is dotted.

"I envision life on Mars to be stunning, frightening, lonely, quite cramped and busy," Peter Greaves, described as a jack-of-all-trades, told FoxNews.com. Greaves. "Unlike Earth I wouldn't be able to sit by a stream or take in the view of nature's wonder, or hug a friend, or breath deeply the sweet smell of fresh air -- but my experience would be so different from all 6 to 7 billion human beings ... that in itself would make up for the things I left behind."

This all still remains theoretical, but one day might transmogrify into a concrete mission. So, if you think you've got the right stuff, NASA's astronaut application guidelines are online.

[cristi_andrei1234]

Secret Video Leaked / We Have Been To Mars...NASA: Evidence of life on Mars...Pravda: Stunning Images of Martian Surface...CNN/CBS NEWS? We may know Mars as the Red Planet, but many of the HiRise images are studies in blue...MARS COLOSSAL PLANTS REVISITED? Buzz Aldrin stokes the mystery of the monolith on Mars? First direct evidence of lightning on Mars detected?Nat.Geographic: Liquid Water Recently Seen on Mars??The Guardian: It's snowing on Mars:
http://cristiannegureanu.blogspot.com/2010/09/first-mars-landers-might-have-found.html

[genxandy]

I think Peter is high on something. Cause what he just said is absolutely nuts! Just getting there would be difficult. Then what? How do you support yourself? It is not like Earth, and there is no air, water which is very essential here. But if you think about it, we're all just visitors here on Earth - we're all here temporarily. Too bad we can't make life here as pleasant as possible for everyone.

[Henri_Rochard]

Actually, I'm here on Earth as a one-way mission from the planet ZyKlon-5, from the star Beta Centauri.

Lots of fun, the brochure said. Be a pioneer. Make new friends.

What a mistake THAT was !!

[barbaram99]

I can't go..Health reasons..

[spaceatoms]

I'll volunteer for the mission also, I am not a lawyer or politician and didn't get any bailout money, get me out of here I am not a banker either!

[YrWrongAgain]

A lot of you should be sent to the sun. Go at night, when it's dark.

[myopinionpal]

Now I see where Sarah Palin can be president Mars is the perfect place.President Sarah Palin of The American Federation Of Mars

[rationall7]

The idea so tickled the imagination of readers that 400 have written in to volunteer, according to FoxNews.com.

According to FauxNews, (the choice of the gullible for news source) and the idea tickled their imagination (no brains, just imagination)

[northpark2]

I can just imagine the Mars HOA. No space cruisers on the lawns... All Alien visitors must check in and register before entering the premisis. No unsightly satellite dishs pointing towards earth. No sweeping Mars Dust onto roadways.

[4merGOPr]

Perhaps Sarah Palin could volunteer.

[GottaLuvItt]

LOL...love it!! What a great idea (I could think of a few others)