> I can't find it now - which stated that the Soviets were to send a cosmonaut to Mars, knowing full well he'd just wander around and die with no way to come b

> I can't find it now - which stated that the Soviets were to send a cosmonaut to Mars, knowing full well he'd just wander around and die with no way to come back. They had volunteers. What makes you think that it's just Soviets? Lots of folks have knowingly made one way trips to "new territory". Heck, I'd do it given reasonable resources for "just wander around".