I certainly agree that the challenges facing a Mars mission are orders of magnitude beyond that of settling the New World but, my point was that calling it suicide demeans even the discussion. The first English colony in Roanoke (1587) disappeared completely. In Jamestown, only 61 of 500 survived the Starving Time. Dead on the shores of a foreign continent or on a foreign planet was, or will be, the result of similar root causes. Lack of resources, failure of resupply or unexpected perils. What the Mars settlers can probably leave off of the risks list would be previous inhabitants less than happy to welcome them.
I don't agree. Yes, it is one way as there are no plans to ever return and participants know that going in. Yes, it is risky; there is a good chance that (some) participants may expire sooner than if the stayed here. That said, much the same arguments could have been made for the early settlers of North America. It was dangerous and many died. It was one way as few could afford to return. No where have I ever seen the migration experience described as a suicide mission rather than an adventure.
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InfinityMars And Beyond!One-way suicide mission....
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