The Dutch organization, Mars One, has captivated the world with a trip unlike anything ever before in the history of mankind. The first trip is scheduled for 2024, where four “lucky” participants will be thrust into the otherworld known as Mars. Currently, the running has been trimmed down to 100 from the initial 660 semi-finalists. The cost of the massive one way trip? $6 billion for the initial flight and $4 billion per each flight thereafter, reports Discovery. MIT researchers doubt the validity of the trip, and more importantly the safety factor of the chosen individuals.
In a previous statement released, the researchers said there are significant risks in this one way venture, including the possibility of suffocation for the participants.
Since the mission is not slated to commence for another nine years, this could be the technologies the company is looking to produce. Hopefully. There is also, of course, the psychological effects and shock that may happen to the selected individuals. While grueling testing is expected in anticipation of the trip, there lies that one caveat. This will be the end of the road for the individuals, and possibly their time on the Red Planet may be short.
Saying good-bye to loved ones to take that European trip is one thing. Saying good-bye for this Mars One trip is the equivalent of a death, which can become problematic the more time individuals have to think about it.
For years, Mars One founder, Bas Lansdorp has dreamed and conceived the idea of this once in a lifetime mission. The funding is covered, said Lansdorp, who admitted to investment companies approaching him. While the universe seems limitless to Landsdorp, analysts and experts in space exploration doubt the mission will move beyond a pipe dream.
Professor Chris Welch from the International Space University is also a critic of the manned trip. He said, “ultimately death is virtually certain.”
Welch believes the four individuals will “die in pretty short order when they get there.” The consequences of a painful death could shatter the public’s trust in manned explorations, and call into doubt all future missions, even those well planned out. Cabin fever is also another concern addressed by Welch who said the participants could become “depressed, suicidal, homicidal.”
Other experts have chimed in regarding radiation levels affecting the participants to points of deadly consequences, with no modern medical assistance near.
Will the Mars One mission come to fruition? Lansdorp is motivated by the public response, but experts are cautioning the realities of a one-way suicidal mission.