[FPSPACE] A One-Way, One-Person Mission to Mars

[Edwin Cameron]

Jim McLane is by far not the first to advocate one-way missions to an extra-terrestrial orb.  Despite common beliefs and statements to the contrary, both the Soviets and Americans were prepared to forego a safe return to the mother planet just to be first on the Moon.  I believe it was just that attitude that most likely put two men aboard an N1 to attempt to beat Apollo 11.  As I have said and written in the past, there may never be conclusive proof that cosmonauts were atop the N1 on 3 July 1969, but that launch attempt makes absolutely no sense otherwise.  Especially if there was a catastrophic failure on 21 February, as first reported in 1989, just over four months before N1/L3-5L was launched.  Video long since released shows that the SAS worked and pulled the LOK away from the falling behemoth, but what of the LOK after the video/film ends?
   
  I believe there are two primary challenges remaining to fill gaps in the N1 story.  What happened to the Zond capsule that was launched on 3 July 1969?  And, where is there video showing the configuration and launch of 6L?
   
  The film that we thought for so long showed the demise of 3L, may in fact be film from two later flights, 6L and 7L.  So, did 3L actually fail?  If so, why show failure of two other N1 flights in the documentary titled (in English), "First Launch, N-1, 21 II 1969g"?
   
  Aside from the numerous other questions regarding the N1, there remain questions about the circumlunar plans, and the whole Soviet manned space program between mid-1967 and 1973.  And, I do not believe the Kamanin diaries tell the whole Soviet manned space story as it really happened -- we know they do not -- simply look at the periods of December 1968, February 1969, and then just before and after 3 July 1969!
   
  One way to Mars?  Not likely today!  World opinion regarding space conquests is not what it once was.  Perhaps the Soyuz 1, Apollo 204, Soyuz 11, Challenger and Columbia disasters have quenched any willingness to send a space explorer on such a suicide mission.