A One-Way, One-Person Mission to Mars

A One-Way, One-Person Mission to Mars

www.universetoday.com

Will humans ever really go to Mars? Let’s face it, the obstacles are quite daunting. Not only are there numerous, difficult, technical issues to overcome, but the political will and perseverance of any one nation to undertake such an arduous task just can’t be counted on. However, one former NASA engineer believes a human mission to Mars is quite doable, and such an event would unify the world as never before. But Jim McLane’s proposal includes a couple of major caveats: the trip to Mars should be one-way, and have a crew of only one person.

McLane worked at NASA for 21 years before leaving in 2007 to work for a private engineering firm. Being able to look from afar at NASA’s activities has given him a new perspective, he says.

But McLane was still at NASA when he originally had an idea for a one-way, one-person mission to Mars. He calls his proposal the “Spirit of the Lone Eagle," in deference to Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight from New York to Paris in 1927.

McLane’s idea came from his acquaintance with a Russian cosmonaut. “I noticed the cosmonaut seemed to be a slightly different type of person than the American astronaut," McLane said. “Cosmonauts are primarily pilots, and like test pilots, they are very focused on getting the job done. The current American astronauts are picked for things such as their speaking ability and social skills, and most of them have advanced degrees. But the cosmonaut struck me as an adventurous, get-things-done-type person, like our original astronauts back in the 1960’s."

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Is this guy brave or crazy....

"He says, We shouldn’t be stuck on this rock forever."

It would be cool to see. But we spend all our money on wars these days....

I doubt it will ever happen for him though.

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Can you imagine. I am going to mars and I ain't commin back! Bet the wife would be uber pissed off about that one. kinda like an ultimate you.

I hope the guy or girl would bring along plenty of Um how to put this, adult graphical material. enough for the rest of his life.

NASA: whats this external hard drive for?

Astronaut: Uh nothing

NASA: let's just check that, it's an 80gig external hard drive completely full to the brim with, just check these files here, WHOA!

I would go in a heart beat.

Realy...

I would...

Now the follow up missions owuld have to include some more people...

Like... a Asian lady, a Latino Lady, an Arab Lady, an English lady, an African lady...

... you get my point

reply to post by TKainZero


Well, since he'd be the sole proprietor of the planet at that point, the only rules are his own. If I were him, like you, I'd be asking for women, and lots of them. I'd even send pictures back of the ones that I want.

"Yeaahhhh, Houston?? I want THIS one, THIS one, and THIS ONE IS A MUST!!"

Anyway, going to Mars would be a kick in the pants, but I'd prefer to be teleported there. It saves time.

TheBorg

reply to post by TheBorg


Don't lie you would assimilate mars. We know your ilk around these parts Don't deny it we all heard it before, "Resistance is futile". It would just be a Borg staging point for a full scale invasion of Earth.

Sorry sorry Trekkie humor.

I would go but man I would get so bored.



[edit on 3/8/2008 by whatukno]

Unfortunately this system is not robust enough to survive political upheavals and changes in space program philosophy.

The plan that Disney-Von Braun had was a constant conveyer-belt type of system, where the replacement and restocking flights would do a big figure-8 between both planets using an ion-drive and dock with an orbital system.

That way the speed could be higher. It wouldn't have to slow down and then orbit the planet(s).



With a single craft, if something went wrong it would be stuck. If the political climate on Earth changed, then they'd maybe decide not to send the followup missions.

With the Disney-Von Braun plan, the multi-ship 'conveyor-belt' system would be in place and the initial investment already made. Since all the modules are the same, they'd save on parts.

Amazing that this video was done in 1957. It's kind of sad how much the program seems to have stagnated from 1969 to present and the 2018 launch date (?).

So, I'm wondering how they'd design the single man system.

Seems to me there'd be limited value in having just a one way trip - is it just to say Man got there?