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Who do you want going and how old does a person have to be to go?
12-10-01
The first missions will probably consist of four to six persons. Since
these missions will be very expensive and quite complex it will be
important to send people who are well trained to accomplish the mission
goals and who have the ability to respond to unforseen challenges. A
typical crew might consist of two engineers, a pilot, and a surgeon. The
engineers would be responsible for making sure that the spacecraft systems
are working properly, and would be responsible for making repairs. They
would also be responsible for construction projects or materials processing
at the landing site. The pilot would be responsible for navigation and for
maneuvering and landing the spacecraft. The surgeon would be responsible
for the safety and health of the crew. He/she would also oversee the
life support systems, including greenhouses which might be set up at the
landing site. All members of the crew would need to know something about
what each of the other members is doing, in case one member became
incapacitated. For example, if the pilot is injured, someone must be able
to pilot the craft back to Earth orbit. -- Acquiring all the training
necessary to become a skilled astronaut for long missions such as one to
Mars will takes a number of years. The best candidates will have one
or more graduate degrees and/or several years of specialized expertise,
(such a jet fighter pilot training), yet will be young enough to tolerate
physical stress and have exceptional physical and mental health. Therefore,
the first crews will probably consist of young adults in their late
twenties or early thirties. It may be advisable for the first crews to
consist of men, but female astronauts would soon follow.
Furthermore, if someone wanted to pay for passage to Mars we would gladly
accommodate him/her. That might cost as little as $10 billion.
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