Two scientists have come up with a possible solution to put humanity on the unexplored planet Mars. Dirk Schulze-Makuch, a Washington State University associate professor and Paul Davies, a physicist and cosmologist, published an article called, “To Boldly Go: A One-Way Human Mission to Mars,”

In this article they proposed a trip to mars in two spacecrafts that would house two astronauts each. They would go there to stay permanently, and to explore. The scientists believe that if the astronauts were sent up knowing that they would be there permanently, they would accomplish more. “It would really be little different from the first white settlers of the North American continent, who left Europe with little expectation of return,” stated Davies.

It is believed that the technology necessary to send astronauts to Mars is within reach. Schulze-Makuch and Davies think that within the next few decades two way flights will be possible. They do not have the intention of abandoning the astronauts. In their article they made it clear that the mission would not be a “suicide mission.”

The scientists have thoroughly thought through the project. The astronauts would have to be volunteers. They would be periodically re-supplied but would be expected to become more and more self sufficient until they no longer needed assistance from Earth. The scientists know that there is water and other resources on the planet that will make it possible for the colony to become independent.

“A one-way human mission to Mars would be the first step in establishing a permanent human presence on the planet,” claimed the scientists.

The purpose behind this mission is to create a permanent human presence on the planet Mars. It would establish base from which discoveries about Mars could be made. This would determine weather or not Mars could be used as a second Earth in the future. If disaster was to strike and Earth was destroyed, humans could survive.