Would you sign up to live on mars?

The South African Council of Shopping Centres recently hosted Bars Lansdorp, Co-founder and CEO of Mars One, in South Africa to discuss the ambitious plans of colonizing Mars. Lansdorp shared details about the timelines, business case, safety measures, sustainability, and health risks associated with the mission to Mars. Mars One is set to land the first crew on Mars in 2032, with preparatory missions starting in 2022. The estimated cost for this monumental mission is around $6 billion in US dollars. Lansdorp explained that the business case for Mars One was established seven years ago when they realized that human travel to Mars could be one of the biggest events of the 21st century. Drawing parallels with the Olympic Games, Lansdorp mentioned that the media exposure value of a mission to Mars could surpass that of several Olympic events combined. Additionally, he highlighted the potential merchandise and gaming opportunities associated with Mars One, citing the success of franchises like Star Wars and FIFA. Addressing concerns about safety and sustainability, Lansdorp acknowledged the risks involved in a mission to Mars but emphasized the manageable nature of available resources on the planet. Mars One plans to utilize local resources by mining water and nitrogen from the Martian surface and atmosphere, respectively. The mission will involve a combination of locally produced and transported supplies to sustain human life on Mars. Although the return mission from Mars to Earth remains a challenge, Mars One's focus is on establishing permanent settlements rather than facilitating a two-way trip. Lansdorp explained that until a colony on Mars can support the necessary engineering and refueling capabilities for a return launch, the idea of bringing people back to Earth remains uncertain. Regarding health risks, Lansdorp acknowledged the dangers associated with the mission to Mars but compared it to other risky ventures on Earth, such as climbing Mount Everest. While transparency about the risks is crucial, he highlighted the potential for a long and healthy life on Mars due to the absence of unhealthy influences like junk food and pollution. As long as equipment malfunctions are minimized, humans on Mars could lead healthy lifestyles. In conclusion, Mars One's vision of colonizing Mars presents both challenges and opportunities. As the world watches developments in space exploration, the billion-dollar business of Mars colonization continues to intrigue and inspire a new generation of space enthusiasts.