5 ms·

Given Mars' weak gravitational field, extremely low atmospheric pressure, lack of breathable oxygen, deathly cold temperatures, and weak magnetic field (leading

by codex 14y ago

Given Mars' weak gravitational field, extremely low atmospheric pressure, lack of breathable oxygen, deathly cold temperatures, and weak magnetic field (leading to high levels of radiation), he may well get his wish. Many others will likely get this wish against their will. If he would like to get a taste of realistic Martian colonization here on Earth, may I suggest living underground in a windowless tank, surrounded by a partial vacuum, next to a nuclear reactor.

fghh45sdfhr3 14y ago
Well you're just mister sunshine, aren't you.
- dredmorbius 14y ago
  Well, on Mars, he's Mr. 50% Earth-intensity sunshine. We call him "50-cent" for short.
waterlesscloud 14y ago
If only humans had demonstrated some ability to construct defenses against hostile environments. You know, like they've done since the invention of fire and the construction of lean-tos.
- dredmorbius 14y ago
  You snuggle up in your Martian lean-to while tending to your zero-oxygen, 1% atmosphere fire. I'll take Mr. Sunshine's pressurized, nuclear-powered, underground bunker.
- jfoutz 14y ago
  The self sustaining communities in the middle of the sahara give me enormous hope for these types of projects. The self contained undersea habitats as well.
mc32 14y ago
Where's the sense of adventure and romance in that? Lots of explorers of yore could have met with the similar arguments. Some people can stay behind and man/woman? the home front, others can go off to explore and expand our existence. Not that there's no cost to it, but let's hope, that overall, it's a net plus. As a species we have wanderlust built-in, perhaps.
- codex 14y ago
  When I was young and was reading a lot of pulp science fiction books, I was in love with Mars. But those books are fiction. The reality of Mars is not a great cosmic adventure. Mars is a shithole. Don't get me wrong--Mars should be explored, and we will find some truly breathtaking things. And if we find life on Mars, the scientific paydirt will be huge. However, the great finds and exploration of Mars will be done by robots. Sending humans to Mars (or colonizing Mars) is a lot like sending humans to the Sahara desert. Colonize the Sahara? But it's so... dull. And not fun. That's not very romantic. Ultimately that is the reality of 99.9% of Mars. If people are going to die on Mars, they should know that they are not doing it in the name of science and exploration--that task is best left to the robots--but rather in the name of vanity and human tourism. Until Mars can be terraformed to the point where it has 100% of Earth's gravity (I don't even want to contemplate the effects of 1/3 of Earth's gravity on a developing fetus, for example), and a breathable atmosphere, it will be visited only by tourists and robots.
  - iandanforth 14y ago
    Have you ready the Red / Green / Blue mars trilogy? It might change your mind. Also, not that it's possible, but why would you want to increase martian gravity? 1/3G would be awesome for sport.
    - jpxxx 14y ago
      I loved those books to death, but the parent is right. Mars is a rustier version of the moon with slightly better scenery. Imagine a life where you as a native Martian never get to go outside, never get to feel fresh air, never get to meet a stranger, never get to storm off, never get the chance to live truly alone, never get to punch a wall, and never get a chance to see another world. No streams, no swimming, no oceans, no forests, nothing. The footprints you make will still be there a hundred million years later. Mars is a one-way trip to a terribly cold and lonely place.
ktizo 14y ago
Many others will likely get this wish against their will. Really? I suspect that if you offered a million one way tickets to mars and advertised it as almost certain death, they would sell out in less than an hour.
- justincormack 14y ago
  "Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success."
anamax 14y ago
> Given Mars' weak gravitational field, extremely low atmospheric pressure, lack of breathable oxygen, deathly cold temperatures, and weak magnetic field (leading to high levels of radiation), he may well get his wish. Many others will likely get this wish against their will. Who is sending folks to Mars against their will? More to the point, how do I provoke someone to do it to me?
- melvinmt 14y ago
  It's the new Australia for convicted felons.
stcredzero 14y ago
> Given Mars' weak gravitational field... Actually, that's a big plus. Single Stage to Orbit and the simplified logistics would make access to the rest of the Solar System much, much easier. Heck, we could even build a Space Elevator on Mars with today's technology, if we really wanted to. > If he would like to get a taste of realistic Martian colonization here on Earth, may I suggest living underground in a windowless tank, surrounded by a partial vacuum, next to a nuclear reactor. Some people think living in extreme environments to be fun: http://amzn.com/1590786076 http://amzn.com/1590786076 The problem with your scenario, is that you wouldn't get to put on a space suit, step out of an airlock and walk on Mars.

by codex 14y ago

fghh45sdfhr3 14y ago

Well you're just mister sunshine, aren't you.

dredmorbius 14y ago
Well, on Mars, he's Mr. 50% Earth-intensity sunshine. We call him "50-cent" for short.

waterlesscloud 14y ago

If only humans had demonstrated some ability to construct defenses against hostile environments. You know, like they've done since the invention of fire and the construction of lean-tos.

dredmorbius 14y ago
You snuggle up in your Martian lean-to while tending to your zero-oxygen, 1% atmosphere fire. I'll take Mr. Sunshine's pressurized, nuclear-powered, underground bunker.
jfoutz 14y ago
The self sustaining communities in the middle of the sahara give me enormous hope for these types of projects. The self contained undersea habitats as well.

mc32 14y ago

Where's the sense of adventure and romance in that? Lots of explorers of yore could have met with the similar arguments. Some people can stay behind and man/woman? the home front, others can go off to explore and expand our existence. Not that there's no cost to it, but let's hope, that overall, it's a net plus. As a species we have wanderlust built-in, perhaps.

codex 14y ago
When I was young and was reading a lot of pulp science fiction books, I was in love with Mars. But those books are fiction. The reality of Mars is not a great cosmic adventure. Mars is a shithole. Don't get me wrong--Mars should be explored, and we will find some truly breathtaking things. And if we find life on Mars, the scientific paydirt will be huge. However, the great finds and exploration of Mars will be done by robots. Sending humans to Mars (or colonizing Mars) is a lot like sending humans to the Sahara desert. Colonize the Sahara? But it's so... dull. And not fun. That's not very romantic. Ultimately that is the reality of 99.9% of Mars. If people are going to die on Mars, they should know that they are not doing it in the name of science and exploration--that task is best left to the robots--but rather in the name of vanity and human tourism. Until Mars can be terraformed to the point where it has 100% of Earth's gravity (I don't even want to contemplate the effects of 1/3 of Earth's gravity on a developing fetus, for example), and a breathable atmosphere, it will be visited only by tourists and robots.
- iandanforth 14y ago
  Have you ready the Red / Green / Blue mars trilogy? It might change your mind. Also, not that it's possible, but why would you want to increase martian gravity? 1/3G would be awesome for sport.
  - jpxxx 14y ago
    I loved those books to death, but the parent is right. Mars is a rustier version of the moon with slightly better scenery. Imagine a life where you as a native Martian never get to go outside, never get to feel fresh air, never get to meet a stranger, never get to storm off, never get the chance to live truly alone, never get to punch a wall, and never get a chance to see another world. No streams, no swimming, no oceans, no forests, nothing. The footprints you make will still be there a hundred million years later. Mars is a one-way trip to a terribly cold and lonely place.

ktizo 14y ago

Many others will likely get this wish against their will. Really? I suspect that if you offered a million one way tickets to mars and advertised it as almost certain death, they would sell out in less than an hour.

justincormack 14y ago
"Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success."

anamax 14y ago

> Given Mars' weak gravitational field, extremely low atmospheric pressure, lack of breathable oxygen, deathly cold temperatures, and weak magnetic field (leading to high levels of radiation), he may well get his wish. Many others will likely get this wish against their will. Who is sending folks to Mars against their will? More to the point, how do I provoke someone to do it to me?

melvinmt 14y ago
It's the new Australia for convicted felons.

stcredzero 14y ago

> Given Mars' weak gravitational field... Actually, that's a big plus. Single Stage to Orbit and the simplified logistics would make access to the rest of the Solar System much, much easier. Heck, we could even build a Space Elevator on Mars with today's technology, if we really wanted to. > If he would like to get a taste of realistic Martian colonization here on Earth, may I suggest living underground in a windowless tank, surrounded by a partial vacuum, next to a nuclear reactor. Some people think living in extreme environments to be fun: http://amzn.com/1590786076 http://amzn.com/1590786076 The problem with your scenario, is that you wouldn't get to put on a space suit, step out of an airlock and walk on Mars.