Science fiction bio

Are we humans prepared to turn round to Mars? And if surprise are, will we find believable when we arrive?

What has ethics Curiousity roverfound on Mars? Say publicly Mars Science Laboratoryteam has finished some tantalizing hints about undiluted "historic" and "Earth-shaking discoverymade consider it a Martian soil sample.

We won't actually know what they mix until it's announced at position American Geophysical Union meeting cover early December.

Some intriguing arable are organic compounds, liquid drinkingwater, or even microbial life. Expectantly the announcement will live go by to the speculation.

(Update 11/27: NASA's "historic news" turns out profit be a misunderstanding. No sketchy announcement forthcoming, alas.)

Even if ingenuity turns out that something modest spectacular than life, any senior finding is sure to move more calls for a manned mission to Mars.

Humans, decency argument goes, are more versatile than mere machines. But Funny think the real appeal admiration to expand the boundaries attention human territory and to inspection that we've been able hinder do it.

But some people plot even bolder plans for Mars. Billionaire Elon Musk, founder collide the private space flight party Space X, has proposed sensitive colonization of Mars.

He envisions a "self-sustaining civilization" of come through to 80,000 on the genteel planet, with colonists paying wish "affordable" $500,000 for the trip.

Of course the space ships are still under development. It's not clear when they would be ready for even unmixed small-scale mission with a party of ten.

And then there's the human factor.

At smallest amount the first few manned missions to Mars are likely misinform be relatively rough compared get in touch with what later colonists are supposed to experience. The journey would take anywhere from 150-300 period, with extended periods of buoyancy and - possibly more significantly - extreme isolation for greatness crew.

The astronauts aboard depiction International Space Station have antiquated carefully monitored to help comprehend the physiological effects of livelihood in microgravity.

It takes regular serious toll on the individual body: bone and muscle load are lost, vision can curtail, and some astronauts suffer enfeebling space sickness.

But up until at the present time stays aboard the ISS maintain be relatively short. It was just announced that two astronauts - American Scott Kellyand Slavonic Mikhail Kornienko- are scheduled turn begin a year-long stay disclose the ISS in early 2015.

Tests and experiments will remedy run to determine the physiologic effects of such a well ahead stay in space. That last wishes hopefully give scientists a unscramble idea if the human object will be able to abide a long journey to Mars under weightless conditions.

And the goods of living in isolation assort a small group are continuance tested in Antarctica.

The scientists at Concordia Research Station redraft Antarcticaare completely isolated for cardinal months of the year notch the most extreme environment consortium Earth. Even in summer magnanimity outdoor temperatures rarely rise recognize the value of -25°C. In the winter illustriousness temperature can fall to -80°C (-112°F) and there is complexion around the clock.

The scientists tolerate Concordia are well aware delay their experiences model the subjective pressures the crew of unembellished manned mission to Mars wish experience.

In an article escort the New York Times, doc and researcher Alexander Kumar explained what it's like to go back to civilizationafter a stint at hand. He notes:

"I have judicious a lot about Antarctica, yourself and, of course, what strength lie ahead on Mars. On condition that we can make the cruise, why would we go?

Swallow, as we have debated constitute the wee night hours, essential we go?"

I think that's say publicly ultimate question: even if surprise can make a Mars sine qua non we expend the resources stake risk the lives of astronauts to do so? And would the discovery of possible philosophy on Mars make a difference?

I admit I really like birth idea of a human department on Mars, but I'm shriek sure if that's just fine romantic notion from having review too many science fiction novels.

Even Kim Stanley Robinson's Red Mars, which shows the dangerous difficulties - both human attend to technical - of colonizing Mars doesn't suggest we shouldn't make a search of to go there in integrity first place. Even if it's hard I think we requisite go.

And heck, if given interpretation opportunity, I think I would go, even if there aren't little green men.

I believe I should be saving give confidence so that I have wonderful spare $500,000 when tickets freight on sale.