Manned mission to Mars

[Maeta]

So the bbc website ran a feature on this possible British suggested manned mission to Mars, aiming to not only send men there, but bring them back again, with the mission taking a couple of years, but with the time details with quite a wide range since they haven't yet thought about planetary alignment (good start).

One part that has been singled out as the major challenge is the refuelling for the return journey. Suggestions of sending sufficient fuel have been shot down due to the weight and safety aspects of sending it in the first place, so the idea is to drill under the surface and electrolyse melted ice into hydrogen and oxygen. Another part they haven't got further than pencilling is: will they use hydrogen as a fuel, or react it with the CO in the atmosphere to get methane and use that instead?

What are your thoughts about this possible sojourn to the red planet? If you had the chance, would you risk it? Will it happen in our lifetimes? In the next few years? Ever? What would you say when you stepped on the red dust? What if the whole staying around bit sucks/goes wrong? What about the whole ice to fuel thing goes wrong? What about mental health issues, as well?

Captcha: she's a witch
whilst I'm talking to my girlfriend...

 

[Fractral]

It's British, so it will be supported by the government right up until the next round of budget cuts where it will be shelved so that Osborne can make himself look good by channeling the money into education instead. I'm not complaining, (after all, I am a student) just stating a fact.
Dan Brown's 'deception point' did this well, I think, only in America. People will never support space travel when there are more immediate issues.
If it did go ahead I would be very happy indeed, since we could then claim mars in the name of the queen and finally have somewhere to send all those chavs.

 

[Maeta]

It's British, so it will be supported by the government right up until the next round of budget cuts where it will be shelved so that Osborne can make himself look good by channeling the money into education instead. I'm not complaining, (after all, I am a student) just stating a fact.
Dan Brown's 'deception point' did this well, I think, only in America. People will never support space travel when there are more immediate issues.
If it did go ahead I would be very happy indeed, since we could then claim mars in the name of the queen and finally have somewhere to send all those chavs.

Ever since Australia got all 'self-respect', we've needed another prison colony, and this is maybe a bit more fun...