Isn't putting a settlement on Mars NASA's purview? And where else would they get the money, if not from a government?
Posts: 5462 | Registered: Apr 2005
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That's a lot of money for an individual to come up with. Especially since I can't see how they could turn a profit from a venture like this.
The reason I say a government would have to fund something like this is because, initially, there's no money to be made from going to Mars. If we find a ton of usable minerals easily accessible, and a cheap way to mine and transport them, then maybe it's a business decision. But for now, a settlement on Mars is strictly just so we can say we did it.
Since I can't imagine a Venture Capitalist group funding this, and it's too much money for an individual to come up with (unless they're just starting out planning, not developing), I wonder how it would be financed.
Posts: 5462 | Registered: Apr 2005
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Maybe they're thinking in the very, very long term? Looking around the site a bit I could see them maybe making money on the consulting aspect: Set themselves up as the mars-colonization "experts" and sell advice and technology to the government that actually tries to have a go at it. Still seems pretty flimsy, though.
Besides, everyone knows there's no money in mars or moon colonies because they invariably declare independance and have a war against the founding corporation. Duh!
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It looks great! I wonder where they are getting their money. Is it all venture capital? Definitely their list of people looks impressive. I will talk to them.
Posts: 6246 | Registered: Aug 2004
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quote:“I have a message for RCG's (recent college graduates) currently looking for a career and even those already working. There is a choice to make in both your career and life. You can go with a large corporation, give up some of your freedom and most of your dreams. Or, if you have freedom in your heart, courage to face the unknown, and discipline to deliver, contact us at 4Frontiers.com. Perhaps we can realize our dreams together.”
I wonder if the unspoken message is that you can either give up your dreams and work for a big corporation, or give up a salary or security and go work for them. Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
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Okay I sent them a resume and other information. I hope I hear from them. It sounds like a great place to work!
Posts: 6246 | Registered: Aug 2004
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Porter, I'm sure that's part of the implication. I'm half expecting them to tell me it's a volunteer position.
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Despite some tongue in cheek language in the "desired skillsets for future positions" area of the site, I think they're serious. They have a number of ways that they hope to generate money for their program, according to an article about them in today's issue of Wired.
One, which I don't personally think sounds like a huge money maker, is to create a full scale mock up of the martian base they're wanting to build, and try to to attract tourists to it. Another, which seems more promising to me, is to develop and patent technologies, and use the money generated from these patents to fund their program.
In any case, when I read about this you were the first person I thought of, Tatiana. Let us know what you hear back from them.
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
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I was rather skeptical too, mainly because I don't see how they could actually earn any money nearterm. But the list of their people, along with brief resumes, convinced me it was real. They are impressive. I know there are plenty of engineers and scientists who have space exploration and colonization as their dream, so I am guessing the job pays little. What really matters, though, more than money, is if they know what they are doing, or if they're just wasting time and resources. If they're a real company focused on a real bottom line then it might be a joy to work for them.
Then the thing that always happens is.... if they are any good, they'll be able to pay a decent salary. So we shall see.
Noemon, thanks for the heads up on this. I'll let you know if they respond. Posts: 6246 | Registered: Aug 2004
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Tatiana, what kind of engineering do you do? I'm an engineering student right now, so I'm exploring the fields.
Posts: 2149 | Registered: Aug 2000
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This 4Frontiers thing sounds awesome. Too bad I'm still in University. Unless they take co-op students I'm just going to have to wait a couple years.(sigh) Posts: 90 | Registered: Mar 2005
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I emailed the guy and he responded this morning. They sound for real. I'm gonna update my resume, I think.
Posts: 5462 | Registered: Apr 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Tatiana: I'm electrical. What kinds are you thinking of?
Well, my major is Engineering Physics. It requires a relatively broad physics/math/engineering background and then lets the studen design a series of courses around a specific topic. I'm hoping to be able to concentrate on renewable/alternative energy sources. I just started my sophmore year, so I haven't quite gotten that far, yet.
Posts: 2149 | Registered: Aug 2000
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That's a cool major (although I wonder what the difference b/tw engineering physics and regular engineer is, physics-wise. I took a ton of physics.).
The renewable/alt energy sources would be an awesome specialization.
*is angry at self for not doing more cool stuff when he had the chance*
Posts: 5462 | Registered: Apr 2005
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If you're really curious, here is a list of the courses required for the major. It comes out to 26 credits in the physics department. That's basically 7 classes. (Edit: I just realized the outline is out of date. This one is correct.)
I really want to do a year abroad here. Who knows, it may yet happen.
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That sounds like a neat major. You have so many electives! That's awesome! Through sophomore year it's almost identical to my EE requirements.
I happen to love physics, so that sounds like a really sweet setup to me. I went with the fields track of EE since it was more theoretical and closer to physics than many of the other EE specialties. Mostly because I liked the teachers, though. I had planned to do the digital track, but the teachers weren't as good, as it turned out, at my school. Good teachers mean everything to me. I get so much more excited and motivated about the work when I have good teachers, you know?
If I go back to grad school to get my PhD, as I'm hoping to be able to do in a year or two, I will study something totally different, though. I'm wanting to do animal husbandry. I had better get busy and learn as much as I can on my own in the meantime so I will qualify.
Eventually I want to do third world development projects, and teach interdisciplinary courses on averting human extinction. I hope I can be a good teacher, so people will be motivated and excited about my classes. Posts: 6246 | Registered: Aug 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Tatiana: Eventually I want to do third world development projects, and teach interdisciplinary courses on averting human extinction.
Wow. That's quite a task. Will this be before or after you go to Mars? Posts: 2149 | Registered: Aug 2000
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I don't see myself being able to go to Mars personally. I'd just like to work on the projects. By the time we actually send a colony ship, I may be ready to retire, though.
But as for the third world development projects, there are a lot of very interesting things going on. My favorites are the ones that develop appropriate technology that can be manufactured, repaired, and sold by local people, and bought for not much capital. This company called International Development Enterprises has some great products they are using to establish entrepreneurs in third world countries, to make and sell these to local people. I also wrote to them about working for them.
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I'm half expecting them to tell me it's a volunteer position.
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