SpaceX founder Elon Musk announced his plan on Tuesday to launch manned missions to Mars by 2022.
One small problem: you might die.
Musk admitted that the chances of dying on the first trip – which will have about 100 passengers, with tickets likely to be $500,000 – were “quite high”. And even if that first mission is a success, the risk of fatality will remain a definite possibility for those who sign on to the second mission, and the third, and the fourth ...
“There’s no way around it ... Are you prepared to die? If that’s okay, you’re a candidate for going,” said Musk.
So: are you prepared to die for the chance to visit Mars? If so, why?
We want to hear your stories about why you’re willing to die for the chance to visit Mars, with as much personal detail as possible.
Have you had a lifelong fascination with the red planet? Childhood dreams of being an astronaut or an explorer? What makes a “quite high” chance of dying worth it?
Email reporter Amber Jamieson at amber.jamieson@theguardian.com or fill out the form below, and a selection of your responses could be featured in our coverage on this topic.
Thank you for your submissions. The form is now closed, but a selection of your responses can be found here.
