I like to believe that if a person is a member of National Space Society, LUF, Moon Society, or Mars Society, that that person would be willing or desirous to actually travel into space. That that person would be willing to work for, pay for, participate in the effort that would put them on the ship. Sadly, this does not appear to be true. In fact, most members are more interested in socializing, patting each other on the back for ideas, and paying paltry dues to the organization that in themselves does little to get anyone there.
So, is this a rant on the groups? No. Rather I have a proposal. Would you pay $100, $50, even $25 for a CHANCE for a ticket on a ship to space. Now before you agree, let's think about this.
First, like a lottery, you go down to the outlet and buy a ticket. (Never mind US law makes this illegal). The drawing happens, and lo, you actually win! Now what?
They come to you and tell you it is a one-way trip. No coming back. Period. Are you still in? If not you can stop reading and go check out the news.
First there will be training, at a minimum of six months learning how to suit up, perform emergency procedures, even some time spent on the vomit comet. But there's more. You have to either have, or learn a skill. What kind of skills you ask? Plants, bugs, chickens, fish, digging, solar cells, steam engines, and oh, yea, your permanent room is only 10 by 10.
Say, did they tell you you had to be on TV? Your training will be filmed, (you signed away rights to your person), and you will be expected to make public appearances (they charge a fee that they keep), and there are book deals (they write about you, but keep the money from sales).
Still in? Then, read on.
There's the risk, they make you sign all sorts of contracts, waivers, insurance forms that your arm hurts. You are going to be sitting on top of a rocket. A rocket that when it lights up burns almost as hot as the sun, blows harder than a hurricane, and shakes more than a volcano on top of an earthquake. Oh, yea, your chances of being burned up, exploded, or both are actually only slightly better than 50-50.
Still in? Then, read on.
Remember those contracts? Well among them was one that signed all your assets over to the company. Your house, car, bank accounts, time-share, even that $20 coin collection in the garage. Your kids won't get anything - that is except the satisfaction of knowing you are going to space, and into the history books.
You made it this far. Good. Remember there is no police, fire, ambulance, or EMT; no hospitals, doctors, public transportation, McDonalds, Subway, or Taco Bell; no government to rail against, no home depot to get parts; No cell service, limited internet, and only one tv channel-NASA. And by the way, if you are injured, well, your'e on your own. We can't afford to send an EMT out to you, and the Rural Metro is still on strike.
If you're still here, then have I got a deal for you! I know how we can actually make this happen. Four ticket winners can be sent to the moon with supplies to last 6 months, and tools and materials to build a habitat that can last longer. If you play your cards right, your team could be trading food, water, and air to the ISS for raw materials and monetary credit.
Your team runs their own business. You own all the proceeds, anything you manufacture, and there's no government to tell you how good or bad to make it, or how much to charge for it, or taxes to pay. No Feds, no terrorists, and best of all, no neighbors!
How you ask? I invite you to dig into the site, and find out.