Well, they could make Red 2 in Mars then.

What does exploring mars have to do with humanity ending? Yes, manned explorations are a lot more expensive than sending drones & robots out there, but such experiments are necessary in order to understand our solar system and the universe beyond. Observations from earth via telescopes/satellites just don't cut it.

I would say, in a decade or so, when the technology is more feasible & affordable, such an undertaking would be possible. Till then, the likes of spirit & opportunity (and other such robots) are doing a great job! If money is usually the problem, there's always billions spent on developing a new bomb or armored vehicle every year you know...just sayin'.

They are exploring Mars so we can colonize it in the event of a huge Earth catastrophe.

It's going to take at least 20 years to even have one of these one-way trips happen

Umm, well, like? :confused:

Hell if I know... Maybe something hitting the Earth? Or maybe a catastrophic earthquake or something? Not sure exactly, but that is why that the reason we are trying to send people to Mars

Damn, I never read that part at the end of the article. If this is truly the motivation behind, then its just disgusting. Space exploration/Colonization should be more out of fascination than desperation. My excitement was more due to research opportunities and the amount of data that could be communicated back. Even the discovery of micro-bacterial organisms would be huge. Also, the fact that its usually a good idea for a number of nations to get involved in such a big project in and of itself would be a unifying factor.

We want to explore and understand the universe because it is in human nature to be curious and to want to understand. Not to mention increasing the longevity of the human race. A mass extinction will hit Earth eventually, and if we haven't spread to other planets and eventually other solar systems, etc. we will be wiped out. But personally, I think curiosity is the main thing. What's the point of existing if we do not at least try to fulfill our nature for discovery?

There's a sitcom in this somewhere.

"I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out O... Ah, ****"

On a more serious note, knowing scientists the "IN CASE OF A MAJOR CATASTROPHE" bit is probably less the actual reasining for it, and more that if they have a reason other than "cause we're pretty damn curious" they're much more likely to get private sector backing. Never underestimate the paranoia of a multi-billionaire!

As for the "Billions could be spent on other things" argument: the billions already exist in the world, and they're not being spent. What makes you think that if they don't spend it on this, that they'll actually spend it on something that will benefit the rest of the world? People are selfish, rich people, doubly so (kinda have to be to get that way) I don't blame them for it, but it's a fact of life that the vast majority of them aren't going to fork out money if they don't stand to profit from it. If Space Exploration works, and a new colony is set up, investors stand to profit majorly from it, so it's possible to get private sector backing. If you can convince the richest people in the world that they stand to gain from increasing the standard of living of the world in general, then be my guest.

On a scientific note, part of me would actually be interested in living on Mars, especially if i'd already lived a full life on Earth. We have no idea how long we're going to live, in fact there are theories that the rate at which we are learning to extend life is fast outgrowing the average lifespan of a human being in a 1st world country. If it increases at this rate, many of us may live to be 200/300, if not indefinitely old. Would you not get bored, after a while? Starting a colony on mars would be difficult, it'd probably be rough for a fair bit, but it would be challenging, and if you were with people who you got along with and worked well with, I personally don't think it'd be that bad. So long as nothing like "The Waters of Mars" happens.... *shudder*

What if making peoples lives can be done by putting them on Mars?



We choose to go to the moon & the other things. Thats Mars, bro. Stop hating on Kennedy.