Prof Brian Cox Declines Mars Journey, Prefers Moon Exploration

[Social Media]

 

Professor Brian Cox, the renowned physicist and TV personality, has revealed that despite his lifelong fascination with space, he would decline an opportunity to travel to Mars, describing such a trip as "horrible." The 56-year-old scientist, who transitioned from a career in music to become one of the UK’s most popular science communicators, expressed a preference for visiting the Moon instead.

 

 

In an interview with *Radio Times*, Cox explained why a mission to Mars does not appeal to him, despite the allure of interplanetary exploration. "No, I wouldn’t go, it’d be horrible!" he said. "I can’t picture going on a two-year journey in a capsule – but I can picture going on a week-long journey in space. I was always obsessed with Apollo, so I’d love to go to the Moon."

 

Cox’s fascination with the Moon dates back to the Apollo 8 mission, which in 1968 became the first manned spacecraft to orbit the Moon. A photograph from that mission remains particularly significant for Cox, who described it as “one of the defining images” of his life. This connection to the early days of space exploration continues to inspire his work, as seen in his upcoming BBC Two series about the Solar System. The new series will delve into some of the lesser-known aspects of the Solar System, including its "hidden realms," "wildest weather," and "oddball" planets.

 

In the interview, Cox praised recent advances in space travel technology, particularly the development of reusable rockets by Elon Musk’s aerospace company, SpaceX. He acknowledged that such innovations have made space travel more accessible and cost-effective, especially for missions near Earth's orbit. "It’s cost-effective to operate near to the Earth’s orbit," Cox said, highlighting how these technological strides could revolutionize space exploration.

 

He also reflected on the historic Polaris Dawn mission, which SpaceX partially funded. The mission, led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, made headlines in September when Isaacman became the first private-sector astronaut to conduct a spacewalk. "It was a hell of an achievement – the furthest humans have been from Earth since Apollo 17 in 1972 and on what was basically a commercial flight. It’s high risk," Cox remarked. NASA hailed the mission as a “giant leap forward” for the commercial space industry, while Musk called it a “huge success.”

 

When asked whether the vast sums of money invested in space exploration were justified, Cox defended the expenditures. “The real answer is that investing very small amounts of money in the exploration of our cosmic neighbourhood is not something that should concern us, because it’s cost-positive,” he argued. He went on to explain the unpredictable nature of discovery, stating, “Nature is very complicated and intricate, and discoveries can come from the strangest of places.”

 

As Cox continues to inspire audiences with his insights into space, his reflections on the future of exploration underscore the importance of investing in the unknown, even if some frontiers—like Mars—are not destinations he would personally choose to visit. His love for the Moon, however, remains undiminished, and his passion for space exploration is as strong as ever.

 

Based on a report from: Daily Telegraph 2024-10-03

 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

A sensible man then. If it's a 2 year journey in a small capsule with a number of other people then chances that none will still be living by the time it reaches Mars are high, IMO.

As it's apparently a one way trip, and I doubt it will be conducive for children, it'll be a lonely death for the last man alive.

[thesetat2013]

7 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

A sensible man then. If it's a 2 year journey in a small capsule with a number of other people then chances that none will still be living by the time it reaches Mars are high, IMO.

As it's apparently a one way trip, and I doubt it will be conducive for children, it'll be a lonely death for the last man alive.

bleak outlook on space travel. 

[Stargeezr]

I always remember that Mars is very small, not eve half of the earths size.  It is nice to be able to go into space,

and maybe find some minerals that are usable and valuable, but to go to a place where it takes weeks to months to get to

as well as to get back from is sort of a pipe dream. We need a lot better tech and a way to go even faster to make this

venture a reality. Trying to get the atmosphere on Mars to be suitable is also going to take a lot beter technology than we have at the 

moment. IMO

[Purdey]

The amount of radiation could cause lots of health issues after return from Mars. Radiation and long weightlessness are big problems.

[johng]

7 minutes ago, Purdey said:

after return from Mars.

 

There's no return from Mars  its a one way trip with our current technology  anyone going would be pioneers tirelessly working to set up habitation shelters, oxygen and water production facilities

trying to grow food and just survive...maybe in 50 - 100 years we will have faster transport better anti radiation shields and artificial gravity  and the bases setup  on Mars for a much easier trip.

 

The moon obviously is quite a bit easier  but still has huge challenges.

[roquefort]

10 hours ago, Social Media said:

When asked whether the vast sums of money invested in space exploration were justified

A fraction of the vast sums of money wasted on pointless wars which are threatening our survival as a species. 

[KhunBENQ]

15 minutes ago, roquefort said:

A fraction of the vast sums of money wasted on pointless wars which are threatening our survival as a species. 

Better invest energy and money in improving life on this planet and forget about the pipe dreams of Musk et. al.

I was a bit shocked that even cheered up Hawkings had propagated the useless resettle on Mars fantasy.

 

Quote

The median surface temperature on Mars is -85°F (-65°C). Because the atmosphere is so thin, heat from the Sun easily escapes Mars. Temperatures on the Red Planet range from the 70s°F (20s°C) to -225°F (-153°C). Occasionally, winds on Mars are strong enough to create dust storms that cover much of the planet.

So mankind is supposed to move to a freezing dust planet?

 

Cross your fingers that the excessive population growth comes to a stop before all resources are used up. It's strange how little attention this - in my opinion - number one problem gets.

[KhunBENQ]

I am always puzzled when another "earth like" planet is discovered only a few light years away and makes a headline. Do they want to make people believe we can move there??

 

One light year is about 9.46 trillion km (9460 billion km).

Voyager 1 traveled 24.5 billion km since 1977 (47 years).

Voyager 2 is expected to "pass by" at a "nearby" star in about 44000 years.

[WDSmart]

No trips into space, especially to another celestial body like the Moon or Mars, should even be thought about until we learn to live both socially and environmentally compatible here on Earth. If we do, we should not call that "colonizing"; that should be called "metasticising." 

[Scouse123]

1 hour ago, WDSmart said:

No trips into space, especially to another celestial body like the Moon or Mars, should even be thought about until we learn to live both socially and environmentally compatible here on Earth. If we do, we should not call that "colonizing"; that should be called "metasticising." 

 

 

Imagine for a minute the amount of good that could happen if all this money and research, public and private, were poured into the Earth and addressing climate change, pollution of the oceans, getting water and sanitation all around the African continent, fighting drought, replenishing the reefs, etc.

 

The Earth could be a wonderful place again.

 

There is way too much to be done here on Earth, for countless generations to follow, rather than focusing on fantasies in Space travel.

[WDSmart]

7 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

 

 

Imagine for a minute the amount of good that could happen if all this money and research, public and private, were poured into the Earth and addressing climate change, pollution of the oceans, getting water and sanitation all around the African continent, fighting drought, replenishing the reefs, etc.

 

The Earth could be a wonderful place again.

 

There is way too much to be done here on Earth, for countless generations to follow, rather than focusing on fantasies in Space travel.

Yes! Read my recent book on this subject... The Icarus Syndrome (books2read.com)

[JonnyF]

I don't see the point of either mission to be honest. 

 

It would be good to see the Americans finally make it to the moon though. 

[daveAustin]

Agree and disagree. Am always a bit perplexed by folk saying such monies should instead be used on earthly matters, such as the homeless (gawd), but d'you what, there will always be homeless. That is our monetary system. What is not important is all the wars and the vast amount of man hours wasted on religion.

 

Going into space and pushing the boundaries is absolutely necessary, and the fractions of GDPs we're talking about are abysmally small. Contrast that with big defence budgets. This field also leads to discovery and advancement in other innumerable areas, including communications and saving the planet. Yes, we have to preserve the earth, that goes without saying, but you cannot stop getting into the heavens for the sake of it. That'll just lead to a standstill. In addition, only a matter of time before we are again taken out by an impactor. It is inevitable. We have to move on, and quickly.

[daveAustin]

7 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

I don't see the point of either mission to be honest. 

 

It would be good to see the Americans finally make it to the moon though. 

😴

[Will B Good]

8 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

I don't see the point of either mission to be honest. 

 

 

Couldn't agree more...especially  the Mars project......more about Musk than science or tackling final frontiers.

 

Mankind will never travel any further than Mars.... if they can even make it that far.

 

 

[johng]

1 hour ago, Will B Good said:

Mankind will never travel any further than Mars.... if they can even make it that far.

If we set up a base on the moon then getting to Mars will be much easier  once setup on Mars and moon then we have much longer to figure out how to get to "other worlds" further away..might never happen seems we want to end ourself with WWIII first 🙁

[thaibeachlovers]

17 hours ago, thesetat2013 said:

bleak outlook on space travel. 

Nothing to do with space, and everything to do with human beings confined in a small space for a long time.

I have some experience of such having lived in a small Antarctic base with 10 other people, and we could at least go outside. I suspect that had our merry band of men been even more confined there were some that may not have lived long enough to see the sun return.

 

I suspect that women may be included in Elon's misadventure, and in that case it's even more likely to result in mayhem, IMO. I have experience of the effect of women on men in a small base to go by.

[thaibeachlovers]

13 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Mankind will never travel any further than Mars.... if they can even make it that far.

Of course they won't. The Galactic council is waiting to see mankind attempt to spread violence and mayhem throughout the galaxy, and when humans get that capability the planet Earth will be destroyed by the Vogons to make way for a hyperspace expressway.

Edited October 3 by thaibeachlovers

[thaibeachlovers]

13 hours ago, daveAustin said:

In addition, only a matter of time before we are again taken out by an impactor. It is inevitable. We have to move on, and quickly.

That's nature's way of removing a toxic pest from the universe.

[thaibeachlovers]

14 hours ago, JonnyF said:

It would be good to see the Americans finally make it to the moon though.

Agreed.

 

[thaibeachlovers]

14 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

 

 

Imagine for a minute the amount of good that could happen if all this money and research, public and private, were poured into the Earth and addressing climate change, pollution of the oceans, getting water and sanitation all around the African continent, fighting drought, replenishing the reefs, etc.

 

The Earth could be a wonderful place again.

 

There is way too much to be done here on Earth, for countless generations to follow, rather than focusing on fantasies in Space travel.

Will never happen IMO. War is so much more profitable than doing good.

[thaibeachlovers]

16 hours ago, Purdey said:

The amount of radiation could cause lots of health issues after return from Mars. Radiation and long weightlessness are big problems.

I very much doubt a return will be possible based on current technology. Didn't Elon already say it's a one way trip?

[thaibeachlovers]

16 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Cross your fingers that the excessive population growth comes to a stop before all resources are used up. It's strange how little attention this - in my opinion - number one problem gets.

I agree that it's rarely mentioned when IMO it's the number one problem facing humans. Life was so much better in my lifetime when population was 3 billion. It's already horrible at 8 billion and I can't imagine how diabolically awful it will be at 16 billion.