One way trip to Mars capturing the imagination, says the BBC

With reference to http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22360228

While the BBC are responsible for a great deal of fanciful imaginings, this story is not about fiction. The idea that we could actually go to Mars, and that it would be a one way trip that establishes a working colony on Mars, is in fact gaining ground and volunteers.

Mars One, a Dutch organisation, is seeking volunteers for such an attempt. And how are they going to pay for the costs? By making it a TV show and getting corporate sponsorship. Now, come to think of it, there are probably a few people that would get quite a few votes by the public to be sent to Mars. Whether this venture succeeds or not, the conversation is out there.

There was a time when we had not stepped foot on the Moon and there were some people who thought that would be impossible. We went there in the sixties and seventies. We can still use the experiments they placed on the Moon, and lunar orbiting satellites have photographed the Apollo equipment still sitting on the moon.

One day, we will be standing on the surface of Mars and looking with their own eyes on Opportunity and Spirit and saying to ourselves "Do you remember when we could only send robots to other planets?"

(Go on - buy the book, and do not be afraid to dream big.)