“It would be quite fun to be on Mars because you would have gravity that is about 37% of that of Earth, so you would be able to lift heavy things and bound around,” [Elon Musk] adds, predicting that journey times could eventually be cut to 30 days. — The Guardian
Aside from the money, specific technology, and solid timeframe, Elon Musk has figured out a way to get to Mars. The colonization plan, which is designed to place about 1 million people on the planet in 40-100 years using a yet-to-be constructed ship that would carry 100 passengers per trip, needs more financial backers before Musk can definitively settle on a launch date. Many scientists have objected to the plan on various technological grounds, although one brought up the problem of potentially contaminating alien life forms:
Prof Andrew Coates, who works on the ExoMars rover at University College London’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory, said that the question of whether present or past life existed on Mars needed to be answered before a manned mission, which could contaminate the surface, could be considered. “There’s a moral imperative to keep Mars as it is for the moment. Until we’ve conclusively answered that question we should keep our feet on the ground ... going there would be cosmic vandalism.”
4 Comments
CAN WE NOT FOCUS ON FIXING HERE FIRST BEFORE WE FORCE OURSELVES TO GO TO MARS ANYWAY?!
(Admission: I did not read the article, just the headline.)
Yes we should, but our collective decisions as of late are going in the total opposite direction - something tells me we will squeeze the profits off this one and then move to the next to do the same, unless we overcome our individuality and greed.
Here's hoping Musk is on the first rocket.
I can think of quite a few who should join him ...
Agreed. The floor is open for nominations...
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