Authors discuss the treatment of Mars in Science Fiction, their work processes, expectations for the field, and more. Panelists: Geoffrey Landis, Mars Crossing, Impact Parameter and Other Quantum Realities; Mary Turzillo, Mars is No Place for Children, An Old Fashioned Martian Girl; Robert Zubrin, First Landing, How to Live on Mars; David D. Levine, Space Magic.
The mission of the Mars Homestead Project is to design, fund, build and operate the first permanent settlement on Mars. The initial goal for the Mars Homestead Project is to identify the core technologies needed for an economical, growing Mars Base built primarily with local materials. Efforts will then be focused on prototype projects of increasing sophistication. The Mars Foundation has also established a small board of technical advisors who provide expertise in specific areas, and created a general “brainstorming” discussion group which is open to the interested public, regardless of their technical experience.
Mars Foundation “To Arrive, Survive, & Thrive!”
http://www.marshome.org/
Mars Foundation Artist’s Concepts Gallery
http://www.marshome.org/images2/
Mars to Stay is the proposal that astronauts sent to Mars for the first time should stay there indefinitely, both to reduce mission cost and to ensure permanent settlement of Mars. Under a Mars to Stay mission architecture the first humans to travel to Mars will be composed of a six-person team. After this initial landing subsequent missions will raise the number of persons on the Martian surface to 30 within a few years, thereby beginning an organically evolving Martian settlement.
Since the Martian surface offers all the natural resources and elements necessary to sustain human society—unlike, for example the moon—a permanent Martian settlement is thought to be the most effective way to ensure humankind becomes a space-faring, multi-planet species. For more information, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_to_Stay and of course…