One Way Trip to Mars?

No seriously, what would you think if I left for Mars in 10 years and never made it back to my home planet? Mars would be my home from that point forward. Really, after a few years on Mars, my body would have adjusted to the gravity difference anyway, making a return trip unrealistic at best. But what an adventure it would be! What a potential to propel human kind forward! What a legacy!

I think I could consider this home.

 I saw an article online yesterday that detailed Mars One’s plan to send 4 people to Mars by 2023 (and an additional 4 people every two years—up to 40 people total). I posted a link to that article on my facebook page, hinting at an interest but questioning whether I would be too old of a candidate by the time 2023 rolled around.

So I took a brief look at the website to look at requirements and maybe a little more background information on the project; not as a serious consideration, but more to satisfy my curiosity.  It turned out that the only age requirement was that you had to currently be at least 18 years old so that you could enter into a legal contract so I delved a little deeper and looked through the videos that had been submitted for consideration thus far. It turned out that there were several people that had already applied that were in my age-range and even a couple that were several years older than I am.

Still, I ultimately dismissed the idea believing that those my age probably would not hold much of a chance of being selected over those in their 20s. And although they said they were not looking for specific qualifications (only general attitudes) because they were planning on training those selected in everything they would need to know to survive an inhospitable planet, I figured an old shovelbum would not have much business up there compared to doctors and pilots and computer engineers.

So I closed the link and moved on to one of the many items on my to-do list and did not give it much more thought . . .

But then I got a message from a friend that expressed the thought that I might be a perfect candidate to apply, if I was at all interested. It read as follows:

I want to encourage you to apply for the mars trip if you are sincerely interested. I feel like you would be a genuine and strong candidate, with your even-tempered and dependable qualities. 

The age seems perfect to me - enough for both maturity and vigor. 

Your experience with anthropology gives you insight into the essentials of culture and civilization.

You're accustomed to a desert environment. 

Your experience in the field makes you a diligent and arduous laborer when it is required. 

And you've shown a commitment to health, kindness and consideration for the well-being of others. 

I seriously think you would be an excellent choice for such an endeavor. Just sayin': go for it if you actually want it!

I was blown away. First, for all of the incredible compliments I had just received in one message, but then at the prospect that I might actually be a ‘strong candidate’.

Then I started thinking about the prospects of that potential reality and my stomach fell to the floor. I am certainly not so naïve to think that there are any certainties in moving forward with such a decision and I also became suddenly well aware of all that I would have to leave behind to go forward with that decision. I have built a pretty stable life so far (as stable as a shovelbum can be), am I really willing to do a 180 for the opportunity to go on an adventure of a lifetime?

I don’t know . . . maybe?

I mean, maybe my friend is right. Maybe my experiences and well-rounded approach to life have all led me to this moment. Maybe all the things I have done and my characteristics do make me a ‘strong candidate’ for such an adventure. I mean, it is not like I am tied down with a family or anything. As more and more of my friends and family have settled down and started a family, I am no closer to that than I have ever been. Maybe that is because I am not meant to be tied down. Maybe I was meant to do this.

But what a leap of faith that is . . . I have never been good at those kind of leaps. Mars One opened applications two days ago and already there are about 100 videos of would-be Martians. When you consider that you have to pay $38 to apply, I find that hard to believe. I envy that they are so sure of their decision that they did not have to give it more than a days thought.  I don’t think I could weigh the pros and cons for a year and still be completely comfortable with such a decision.

All I know is I have been thinking about the idea, the implications, the adventures, and the catastrophes all day when I should be catching up on that to-do list.

Although I am pretty sure my room would never look this neat!

Until next we meet.