Have you heard the one about Mars One, the company that wants to send four people on a $6 billion one-way mission to Mars? It sounds like a bad joke, it’s not, over 30,000 people have already applied for the Mars One Project and here’s why I’m not going to be one of them.
The Business Plan
Mars One will raise US $6 billion in ten years, because this is going to will be huge. That is actually the plan that was probably formulated on the back of a napkin at three in the morning on a Saturday night after a bottle of Vodka.
Now that you understand why Mars One cannot possibly fail we can have a look at some of the solid business plan that this mission is based on:
Huge global events make money
As the website states, the 2008 Olympics made a whopping US $5,450 million. That is a lot of money, though it’s worth noting the fact that none of the Olympic Games before 1984 actually made a profit and that current profits come only after billions of dollars are invested (the last World Cup, cost US $8.6 billion to host) and huge global events always make money. So it’s obvious that advertisers will be lining up to sponsor a one way mission to send four of the most intelligent and talented humans (more on that later) on the Mars One Project to set up a colony on the planet.
The Build Up
Everyone knows that the only sensible way to make important decisions about the future direction of mankind is by democratic vote or on a reality show. Luckily for us, the clever people at Mars One have decided to combine the two, so not only can you vote your favourite contestant to a distant planet from which they will never return and where nothing could go wrong, but you get to watch them participating in this international TV show for the next decade and then the rest of their lives so you will be able to develop a relationship with these ambassadors of Earth.
The Mission
History has shown us that setting up a colony, though a challenge are rarely is always successful. The most recent parallel to Mars One that we have in human history was the attempt by Europeans to establish colonies in the Americas. Between 1492 when Columbus discovered America and 1607 when Jamestown was established no six colonies failed. Missions to Mars have a similar 100% success rate. Knowing this fact no large brand or corporation will want to miss out on the chance to watch the people and the mission they support crash and burn succeed.
Life on Mars
I love travelling and I’ve always wanted an out of this world adventure. If I have the money I will definitely be signing up to join the Virgin Galactic as it sails into space so that I can see the curvature of the Earth. Why return to Earth though to live an interesting and life when a one-way mission with Mars One will give you all of these experiences and more. Plus, I’m pretty confident that after three generations of in breeding one of your descendants will end up with three breasts like the woman off Total Recall.
Great post! We thought the same thing when we heard about this – who would be stupid enough to go on a one way mission to Mars lol! Am definitely keen on heading into space with Virgin Galactic though once they get that up and going – save me a seat!! 😀
Meg
http://whereintheworldismeganclaire.tumblr.com/
We just need to find $100,000 for a ticket! 😉
I know of a more recent even than Jamestown….. Sydney, that was a colony set up by the British and that’s gone alright since!
True, but Australia is easier to get to than Mars and there is a lot more to see when you get there.
you don’t say
Call me stupid, then 🙂 As a long-time lover of sci-fi and space exploration, I consider this an amazing step forward and if it weren’t for the fact that I’m in a long-term relationship my name would have been in the hat. Of course, my significant other things I’m a bit looney as well on this subject, but I think it’s a great idea and I’m rooting for them!
Private space exploration is the way to go, and the thought of colonizing Mars = pretty groovy stuff!
Well, you have to start somewhere. Thinking the moon would be an easier place to start though! At least you’d be able to come back again within your lifetime as well as having a great view of the Earth.
i Would rather live on the moon and at least get to come back to the earth to be able to live my life rather than waste half of my life trying to get to mars.
And maybe never come back
i hate mars i would rather live on the moon to then come back in my lifetime to get to still be with others rather than four people.
Completely agree with you
OK, im not sure where to begin with this as it has my mind baffled. with all due respect to those who think this is a great idea, this idea is stupid! i mean im thinking here do these people realize that there is No coming back to see your families, friends, see the people you love, do the things you love, live, learn work?. OK, so you might say thats what they are being sent for because those chosen people are going to do and achieve all of that because its what they want. how will they live without oxygen? food? will the company funding this keep sending them food and oxygen? cause that in it self will cost more. i really think this idea is stupid and the other thing i cant comprehend is how will a couple of people fix an entire planet and make it habitable? any way maybe they will succeed in making a indoor man made colony that relies heavily on machines to sustain life but no thanks i don’t think i will ever want to be cooped up in some man made shelter all my life.
To never again be able to walk this beautiful Earth would be enough to keep me here. If we really want to build a successful colony on Mars we should just send up the criminals. It worked for Australia, and look at what a successful, and pretty place it is now.
Absolutely insane! What is even the point of this billion dollar project? Not only stupid, it’s sad to see where people’s priorities are!! There was nothing on earth where this investment could have been put?
The whole idea is completely ludicrous! Even if this did come to fruition, which I mean a “non for profit” organisation raising 6 billion dollars on a 99% unfestiable idea isn’t completely unrealistic right, then the people joining the mission are ultimately signing their own death wish!! So perhaps the criteria for applicates should be that you have no common sense & very low intelligence & then if by some magic we are able to stream your “life on Mars ” back to earth we can all watch you die within 3 months!!
Might I also add why anyone would want to give up their freedom to experience life and live on this beautiful plant to live in dome on an inhabitable plant is beyond me!!!
Only time will tell. A lot has changed since this article was published.