An Empty Wallet Puts Mars on the Backburner

Scientists Dirk Schulze-Makuch and Paul Davies have brought the attitudes of long-ago pilgrims into the space age. The two have suggested that astronauts traveling to Mars should do so with the same idea that settlers had when making their way to America — that they should leave their homes without expecting to return. Two scientists, Dirk Schulze-Makuch and Paul Davies, are proposing just that. While the idea has stirred up controversy among space enthusiasts globally, it’s fairly premature to get worked up over this when NASA is having trouble making its way to being a financially stable enterprise just yet.

NASA has bigger issues on their plate right now. In 2008, Congress announced that two-thirds of NASA’s major new programs were over budget — a fact that has nearly dismantled a Mars Rover project. When the government proposed a 2011 budget for NASA, huge changes were suggested. Though NASA has been a major pioneer in space exploration, its business management is open to problems like fraud and mismanagement. Given NASA’s current problems, a Mars
colonization effort is beyond the realm of possibility right now; instead, the NASA should focus on keeping its current programs on track and under budget.

Given all of NASA’s current problems, putting the mission to Mars on the back burner is probably the best solution. This one-way trip to Mars, however ambitious, is the least of NASA’s worries. It may well happen eventually, but let’s sit tight until then.

— Arik Burakovsky
Staff Writer

We Can’t Afford to Send a Death Capsule

The Red Planet: No trees, no water, barely any atmosphere to speak of, high radiation levels and — hell, there’s hardly even an atmosphere. It doesn’t sound like anywhere you’d want to live for the remainder of your life, and yet for some reason some scientists are proposing we whip out our checkbooks and send astronauts on a one-way mission to Mars for the sci-fi goal of colonization.

Those arguing for the cheaper one-way mission forget there is no Martian agriculture and a settlement there is not self-sustaining. Though scientists are claiming that foregoing a return journey will reduce costs, the long term small costs of sending supplies up to Mars will add up. The mission is only one-way if we forget about all the other ‘ways’ we need to get food and supplies to the people. If we can barely fund the International Space Station — there’s no chance we can drop millions to keep the astronauts alive for the rest of their lives.

The thought of being the first to settle on that giant floating red rock might be exhilarating to some — and even badass. But in reality, it comes down to eating food from tin cans. And if you think your chances of getting laid on Earth are bad, just wait until you get to Mars. Since there’s no won’t be a return trip, your reward for living this ascetic life is a lonely death millions of miles from your family.

— Saad Asad
Contributing Writer

Only Way to Be Pioneers is to Take the Leap

Mars isn’t just for aliens anymore. Sending astronauts to Mars for good is a smart idea since it would speed colonization time and reduce the cost involved. With all this talk of global warming and the ever popular 2012 doomsday scenario, it makes complete sense to think about realistic possibilities of survival. Permanently sending aging astronauts to Mars would put pressure on progress and show a dedication towards the possibility of escaping earth’s dangers by leaving it all together.

Sending away colonizers is not a new idea; explorers have been on similar missions since the beginning of time. Early settlers left Europe for the sake of a permanent future in the US. As a society, we need to use our technological advancements to push our boundaries and spark innovative spirit. Space exploration doesn’t have to take a nose dive right after the first man makes it on the moon.

Most importantly, sending these astronauts away is worth it since living on mars is actually a realistic possibility. The atmosphere closely resembles that of earth and there are water, carbon dioxide, and mineral sources. Money is the only thing that is stopping us from taking full advantage of these resources. By sending astronauts one way, we will save money in the long run and make the project more feasible. It may seem crazy to permanently send people to Mars, but sometimes it takes a few brave men to make giant leaps for mankind.

— Revathy Sampath-Kumar
Staff Writer