[andrewb]

My initial impression is "Wow, so cool, I wonder if I could do it.

Then quickly I am brought back to Earth by thinking that I will never see my family, friends or pets again.

I wonder how many of these "thousands" of applicants have truly though this through and could actually do it.

[rowanseymour]

Think of all the millions of people who left places like Ireland to emigrate to the US back in the day. Most of them never saw their families they left behind again. At least nowadays we have internet... though with the 10 - 20 minute radio delay to Mars, Skyping isn't going to work so well

[andrewb]

I don't think the Ireland example is the best. My understanding is they left because their home country was poor and the grass looked greener in America (land of opportunity and all).

The grass does not look that green in Mars

[rowanseymour]

That is true but I was only comparing in terms of not seeing one's family again. It's hard to imagine saying good bye to your friends and family and knowing you won't likely ever see them again.

Most Irish left for America during the potato famine so didn't really have much choice in the matter - it was emigrate or starve.

[dwild]

It depends on your perception. For some people the land of Mars can be greener. The knowledge we would get back from that is huge and can be a huge opportunity. I agree that most people doesn't think about everything they will quit but I think we can find people that are ready to do it.

[nwh]

There's a big difference though.

On Mars if a small piece of equipment fails in your shelter, that's it. It's not like you can go outside and breathe some fresh air for a bit.

[nmridul]

Not everyone thinks of family, friends and pets .. Remember those initial explorers (Columbus, Magellan etc) who went to unknown oceans risking their life. May not be a good comparison, but when you compare the naval technology at that time and space technology now, seems its a comparable risk. And they had to fight other humans so risk to life was even high.

[andrewb]

Columbus made four voyages. This is a one way trip.

For most part, they were also unaware if their future was going to be better or worse, so there in offered great reward.

From my perspective, yes studying the Mars environment would be interesting but not worth leaving everything behind. If however there were life forms on Mars or something "better" than what's available on Earth, then it might be an interesting prospect.