Millionaire Dennis Tito plans to send humans to Mars in 2018, and in perhaps an even more surprising development, two of the astronauts may be an older couple.
Jane Poynter, a prominent entrepreneur in space and technology and one of those involved in the project, says the idea of sending an older couple is based on the idea that they would be better able to handle the stress of living in a confined space for a long period of time. Older passengers would also be less affected by the radiation exposure that would be endemic to their trip, she says.
"I can attest from personal experience from living in Biosphere 2 that having somebody that you really deeply trusted and cared for was an extraordinary thing to have," Poynter says. Poynter spent two years living in a sealed ecosystem with seven others beginning in 1991.
Poynter also claims that sending an older couple to Mars would be inspirational.
"We want the crew of the vehicle to represent humanity," she says, "We want the youth of the world to be reflected in this crew and for girls as well as boys to have role models."
The mission's team, named Inspiration Mars, plans to launch the expedition in January 2018, when Earth and Mars are in close alignment, making for a trip of about 501 days. The Inspiration Mars team feels it has the resources in place to meet this deadline, though some feel that the group will have to create new technologies in order to cope with radiation and the challenges of maintaining an adequate food and water supply. Although it has not been confirmed, many say the trip will cost over $1 billion.
The crew members will not actually land on Mars. Aside from the usual psychological challenges of extended space flight, they will also face harsh conditions, including cramped living spaces and minimal food and clothing.
In the face of such challenges, Inspiration Mars feels that sending an older couple may be the best solution. The two astronauts would be thoroughly trained and would receive continuous psychological support during the flight from mission control.
Poynter says the selection process will be aimed at finding "resilient people that would be able to maintain a happy, upbeat attitude in the face of adversity."
