Richard Branson is not the only person in the world who wants to get into space. A Dutch company called, rather unimaginatively, IMHO, Mars One, plans to plant a permanent colony on the red planet in 2023.
The New New Amsterdam
That’s 10 years ahead of NASA’s plan. I love that. The NASA astronauts will come down the steps, with some hokey “This is another giant step…” line already rehearsed, and there will be tulips and windmills and some Dutch dude standing there handing him a big, fat joint.
Well, I’m sure it won’t be quite like that, but it’s still cool.
Unfortunately, the Dutch crew isn’t as rich as Branson or as connected in the world of eccentric billionaires, so they have to be a little more creative with their financing.
First of all, they’re saving a bundle by making it a one way trip. That’s right. These people are going all in. Colonize or die trying. The first ship will take up four people, and more will follow.
Secondly, they plan to raise money for the trip (the 1st one is expected to cost almost five billion euros) by selecting the cosmicolonists via the very scientific method of a game show! For real, there is going to be a reality show where the prize is you get to spend your life on a barren, lifeless rock, 200 million kilometers away from home.
I’ll bet the contestants are lined up around the block.
To tell the truth, I am seriously impressed. The project is bold and brave, plus it has some creativity about it.
I hope they get some other financiers involved, though, because I think as a TV show it’s going to be a flop. If they seriously want to pick the best crew, they’re going to have to go for science types with rock steady, rather boring personalities. Somebody that flips out if you use their toothpaste is not a great candidate for somebody you want to be stuck with on a mission like this.
One other thought on this project: Could this possibly be influenced by the fact that the Netherlands is in a bit of a topographical bad spot, probably the most vulnerable nation in the developed world to the impending eco-disaster of rising sea levels?
p.s. O.K., I swear I had not seen this video at the time I wrote the blog. The guy actually uses my “next giant step” line.
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