Lord_Herobrine
Back in the Saddle
The fact that agriculture was possible here, the air was breathable, and the air pressure and temperature were enough to keep you alive for extended periods of time helped them a little bit.
As Crezth points out, the challenges of martian colonization are daunting. Still, I'm always happy to see some attention being put towards space exploration.
I understand that we will have to figure out how to compensate for the lack of these neccessities if we are to start a colony on mars. You make it sound like we will be waltzing around the outpost in casual clothes; this is not the case. The astronauts being sent there will be equiped with suits like previous astronauts have worn, Life Support Units that:
Spoiler :
I whole-heartedly agree that the challenges presented are daunting, almost fearful even. But, we already have the technology to produce life-essential materials and resources for a team of four. All the technology that will be used in this trip already exists.
This is not just "Feel-good nonsense." There are indisputable facts that I believe make this mission a reality. More so comes from the fact that they are using pre-existing technology. No new technology needs to be developed to make this reality, it already exists.
Yes, they do indeed promise that it is a governmentless endeavor. And yes, they will indeed need to rely on other space agencies. One reason is that they are colonizing mars... They clearly stated that they want the entire global community to take part in the mission, not just one nation or space program to achieve this. They will rely on all of those different space agencies to build their corresponding parts that they already promised the organization that they will provide.
I agree that its not just about money. They do/will require expertise and seasoned technicians. But look at the team they have already assembled. Then look at how many advisors they have obtained in the last few months. This is only one the first years of the organization, do you actually think that they will not acquire anymore 'expertise and technicians' in the ten years still to come? Would any well reknowned physcist or expert want to be left out of what could become one of the most historical moments in human civilization to-date?
Have you read further into the wikipedia (Not incredibly reliable anyway) article that you have also added to your post? Just a couple sentences after it mentions the reality TV show (Okay, so I was wrong about that) it says it would estimately cost about $6 Billion US Dollars. $6 Billion dollars is a large number I realize, but not unattainable. Provided below in the spoiler is one way they will plan to raise money for the trip:
Spoiler :
Don't forget that these are only initial sponsors. It is foreseen that they will acquire more sponsorships later on.
Yes, the sponsors for the components have mostly only sent "letters of interest" back. I'm not denying it. But once again think about how new the organization's mission is. Mars One has only just recently got around to visiting the suppliers, December 27 of 2012 to be exact. They are only a few weeks into asking the sponsors. I'm sure that none of those companies want to just jump right into anything, they will want to carefully go through all their options and opportunities first.
Yes, so I misunderstood that part. I understood that they intended to have around four 24/7/365 live camera feeds being broadcasted back to earth
constantly for anyone to view. And what would be so bad about educating the audience (the globe) about what it takes to live in such a hostile and new environment and how lucky they are to have the utilities that they use everyday.
I understand that it would be a trying task to keep everyone happy. Also, I recognize the difference in inventing indoor plumbing and colonizing a new planet. The mission does not require a profit margin. For example the Apollo Program did not have a profit margin. Instead it spent millions and billions of dollars trying to compete with the Russian space program. Neither does the program have to be heavily government funded. There are quite a few billionaire corporations and industries around the globe, and even if they only have the support of millionaires, figures will eventually add up if they get enough sponsors.
I think everyone here in the CFC forums would absolutely rejoice if we were successful in settling mars (Or even just getting there). Yes, the Apollo Program was as you put it, "exceedingly well-funded government project that was given major priority by every upwards-facing aspect of the most powerful economic, militaristic, and technological authority of the time." But one of the things that I believe they are trying to do is to degovernmentize (New word
) the idea of space flight. Alot of experts today even state that private space agencies are the only way to keep moving forward at this time. Yes, it has never been accomplished before. But neither was landing on the moon was it? Or even inventing indoor plumbing (Even though it has little significance in relation). Like the popular quotation, "Theres always a first time for everything," and I believe that we have finally reached that time.Well Iggy, setting up a permanent settlement is the only way to get it done. Not only would it be ridiculously expensive to reach orbit there, but its tough enough to reach orbit here. It would be like trying to take off with a rocket that would carry another rocket on top and a lander capable of bringing it down safely to the martian surface without using the return rocket's fuel. Then the return rocket would have to enter obit around a planet that we have never returned from from the ground as of yet and still make it back to earth with a capsule capable of surviving the atmosphere. It's much simpler and less expensive to just have them stay there permanently.
