Hi Larry

A few years ago an Australian Engineering professor proposed a one-way colonisation program for 1000 people, who would cover over the Valles Marineris and pressurise it. Bold idea and utterly impractical. The minimalist mission design actually plans for a return and puts the ERV into orbit awaiting the astronaut, but I half imagined a one-way mission in the mission philosophy of the guys behind the design.

A single person outpost might seem a touch limited, but it's a start. And a bunch of 'solo missions' together aren't really alone either. While launching a bunch of people in one vehicle might make more sense, then again splitting it up fits the available equipment.

Could I hack 258 days in space and a couple of years on Mars alone? There's a thought. Considering how much we can pack into DVDs and hand-held devices I doubt it would be boring. To stay in condition a flying tin-can tethered to the MI booster set up to rotate at 0.4 g would be ideal. A folding bed/seat/exercise bike set-up would suffice, and wrapping the can in a water bladder for solar-wind shielding might be enough.

Dunno. How would you endure so much time alone?

Adam