Brian D Williams wrote:
> From: "Michael S. Lorrey" <mike@lorrey.com>
>
> >The first step to preparing people for colonizing Mars should be
> >setting up a training camp dedicated to the purpose in Antarctica.
>
> >My cousin, who just returned from there a month or so ago, tells
> >me that he's now qualified to apply for the Mars mission team NASA
> >is exploring putting together. All he needs is the actual
> >astronaut training. As a geologist specializing in ice age
> >hydrogeology, he's a primary candidate for exploring the Mars
> >polar caps and figuring out the best way to melt them down...
>
> Cool...... Kim Stanley Robinson spent I believe a year in Antartica
> (visiting artist) after which he wrote his novel of the same name.
> He also used the year in Antartica as a trial for the crew in the
> Mar's trilogy.
I think that such a camp could be a profitable venture. How many people would pay good money to become qualified to be a Mars Colonist Candidate? The only problem is if they would let you have a private camp like that there, considering the restrictions on commercial exploitation of the continent. You'd have to get affiliated with a University that already has a presence, give them a cut of the profits, etc....
Mike Lorrey