Live data from Hacker News

Mars Explorers Wanted Posters

mars.nasa.gov

11–20 of 50 posts

Re: Mars Explorers Wanted Posters

#11

When I was young becoming an astronaut would have been a dream. In recent years, after discovering the world of online learning, I learned too much though to have any desire to go into space, not with current or even soon-to-be technology. Physiological stress and radiation are very big problems. You must be young and thinking about health never entered your mind to apply for the job (yes of course, risk assessment v…

> You must be young and thinking about health never entered your mind to apply for the job. None of the current ISS crew are young; I suspect they just assess the risks differently.

They didn't apply to go to Mars - which is the subject. Although you are right, there will be no shortage of volunteers, there never was for risky exploration.

By the way, congratulations - of all the many things I wrote you managed to find the thing the (subjective) hair in the soup. If you have a different opinion about those risks, am I trying to argue you out of it? Instead, I give you (IMHO) some really good pointers to go beyond the "count me in" forum comment.

Also, I did read about one long-term astronauts numerous health issues. He may not regret his time in space, but he sure is suffering now. Don't remember whom the interview was with, and it wasn't one of those who were up there only for a week or two, but for months and multiple times. If you go to Mars it's even worse.

Just an example, and note that the radiation issue is going to be much worse on the way to Mars: http://lemire.me/blog/2015/12/01/the-mysterious-aging-of-ast...

EDIT: Sorry for pointing out the negatives, but downvoting does not solve those problems.

I would like to see though the difference (or not) in the excitement about going to space before and after learning about everything it involves, of which health problems are just a part. Live on board a tiny spaceship already is bad enough, now imagine it going on for months.

Another quick read (with link to a longer one) to see that a mission to Mars is something different in terms of health risks is http://www.iflscience.com/space/astronaut-safety-concerns-co...

    > For astronauts to be permitted to take on that risk in future missions, current safety
    > regulations would have to be expanded or waived. NASA had asked the IOM to review the
    > regulations and either make a special set of regulations for Mars missions or to make an
    > exception. The IOM has determined that the risk is not worth it and changing the current
    > restrictions is opening up an ethical can of worms.

Re: Mars Explorers Wanted Posters

#12
Pretty clear people would volunteer to do missions that assume no return and possible curtain death - yet NASA instead decides not to embrace this and instead created posters for a "mission" to Mars that increasingly appears will never be done by them directly.

Re: Mars Explorers Wanted Posters

#15

When I was young becoming an astronaut would have been a dream. In recent years, after discovering the world of online learning, I learned too much though to have any desire to go into space, not with current or even soon-to-be technology. Physiological stress and radiation are very big problems. You must be young and thinking about health never entered your mind to apply for the job (yes of course, risk assessment v…

Everyone dies, including those who do nothing.

* Grandchild-A: "My grandmother died on a mission to Mars."

* Grandchild-B: "My grandmother died writing a book on how space will kill you."

Re: Mars Explorers Wanted Posters

#16
post #15

When I was young becoming an astronaut would have been a dream. In recent years, after discovering the world of online learning, I learned too much though to have any desire to go into space, not with current or even soon-to-be technology. Physiological stress and radiation are very big problems. You must be young and thinking about health never entered your mind to apply for the job (yes of course, risk assessment v…

Everyone dies, including those who do nothing. * Grandchild-A: "My grandmother died on a mission to Mars." * Grandchild-B: "My grandmother died writing a book on how space will kill you."

Grandchild-C: Not born because grandmother couldn't reproduce due to early death.

Re: Mars Explorers Wanted Posters

#20
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Everyone dies, including those who do nothing. * Grandchild-A: "My grandmother died on a mission to Mars." * Grandchild-B: "My grandmother died writing a book on how space will kill you."

Grandchild-C: Not born because grandmother couldn't reproduce due to early death.

Don't worry, Grandchild-c. grandmother first had four kids THEN went into space. All is good.
Post reply on HN