Scientists support Mars colonization, propose a private sector program

Other scientists are vocalizing support of Mars colonization, and suggesting it be a private sector program.

From Dateline Zero - After all the criticism, excitement, criticism, and more criticism over a proposed series of one-way trips to Mars in an effort to colonize the planet; other scientists are starting to vocalize support of the idea. They are also expressing lack of faith in NASA — at least as far as serious space colonization programs go.

Perhaps the biggest stumbling block for a Mars program overseen by NASA is the reality that NASA is a government entity — and such a program would be heavily politicized. Perhaps this is why NASA wasn’t actually ready to have this conversation just yet.

RELATED: NASA Wasn’t Ready to Release News of the 100-Year Starship Program…

Some scientists are not only supporting Mars colonization — they are proposing that it be a private sector program.

“The main point is to get Mars exploration moving,” said Dirk Schulze-Makuch of Washington State University, who wrote the article in the latest “Journal of Cosmology” with Paul Davies of Arizona State University. The colleagues state — in one of 55 articles in the issue devoted to exploring Mars — that humans must begin colonizing another planet as a hedge against a catastrophe on Earth.

Mars is a six-month flight away, possesses surface gravity, an atmosphere, abundant water, carbon dioxide and essential minerals. They propose the missions start by sending two two-person teams, in separate ships, to Mars. More colonists and regular supply ships would follow.

“The astronauts would go to Mars with the intention of staying for the rest of their lives, as trailblazers of a permanent human Mars colony,” they wrote.

Continue reading from the full article at Dateline Zero.