Want to go to Mars? Now's your chance!

[Deckerd]

People will only go if there's a genuine chance to come back. Even the most gung-ho space cadet on the planet will have enough nous to have this in his contract.

I think they'd get takers, but a large number of them might not be well-adjusted to society, which could be part of the motivation for leaving.

Whoever is funding manned missions to Mars isn't going to choose maladjusted sociopaths, even though that's what they're going to get volunteering to go.

 

[Australis]

Part of the revenue stream is from reality TV, so they should also consider sending a person from death row (reprising Vin Diesel's role in "Pitch Black"), a hot looking female cop, a backstabbing powermad bitch, a scientist who is borderline psychotic, a religious fundamentalist (preferably a cultist or jihadist, and ideally one of each), and a dope smoking hippie.

Also a brain, athlete, basket case, princess, and criminal.

You know, I'm sure there's a very funny satirical novel in that.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Sounds a bit like "Cube," actually...

 

[throwback]

Hardship is expected. However, do you want to land on another world with the possibility that over half of your teammates are functioning at an impaired level? Then there are the issues of radiation and gravity. I understand the reason for a lunar outpost, and I think it's an essential step to Mars. If the crap hits the fan on Luna, Earth is at most three days away.

I don't expect humans to land on Mars in my lifetime. I am 40 now. I think if we do land on Mars, it will be in the far future. The world is heading toward uncertain times, and, if some scientists are correct, our world may suffer a mass extinction event the likes of which have not been seen since 55 million years ago.

http://www.climatenewsnetwork.net/2013/01/mass-extinction-forecast-with-6c-temperature-rise/

I think humans will be focused on attempting to stay alive, and space travel will be probably pushed to the back burner.

 

[scotpens]

I AM SO THERE

So much free land, and all for the taking!!

That'll be true once the Martians have been wiped out by chicken pox.

 

[Candlelight]

I'd be keen.

Doubt the wife and kids would like it though.

"Honey, I'm just stepping out for... ever, can you mind the children? Ta."