As we approach July 4th, the pinnacle of American holidays. A day that commemorates and celebrates a group of people that with one voice rebelled against a tyrannical government. Think of where we were, were we are, and where we will be. Speaking of history, another significant event also happened this month depending on whether or not you believe in conspiracies.
Apollo 11 was the spaceflight
that landed the first humans on the Moon, Americans Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, on July 20, 1969, at 20:18 UTC. Armstrong became the first to step onto the lunar surface 6 hours later on July 21 at 02:56 UTC. Armstrong spent about two and a half hours outside the spacecraft, Aldrin slightly less; and together they collected 47.5 pounds (21.5 kg) of lunar material for return to Earth. A third member of the mission, Michael Collins, piloted the command spacecraft alone in lunar orbit until Armstrong and Aldrin returned to it just under a day later for the trip back to Earth.
There are plans to colonize Mars. But, the question needs to be asked "Why set forth on such a journey, without a trial run to colonize the moon?".
http://applicants.mars-one.com/
http://news.discovery.com/space/private-spaceflight/mars-mission-possible-in-20-130506.htm
http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/01/11/Mars-colonists-sought-for-exhibition/6731357939067/
http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/05/09/mars-expedition-already-draws-nearly-80000-applicants
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_manned_Mars_mission_plans_in_the_20th_century
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manned_mission_to_Mars
Perhaps, this is just the delusions of child that was raised on science fiction to believe that space colonies would be a reality in his life time.
Apollo 11 was the spaceflight
that landed the first humans on the Moon, Americans Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, on July 20, 1969, at 20:18 UTC. Armstrong became the first to step onto the lunar surface 6 hours later on July 21 at 02:56 UTC. Armstrong spent about two and a half hours outside the spacecraft, Aldrin slightly less; and together they collected 47.5 pounds (21.5 kg) of lunar material for return to Earth. A third member of the mission, Michael Collins, piloted the command spacecraft alone in lunar orbit until Armstrong and Aldrin returned to it just under a day later for the trip back to Earth.
There are plans to colonize Mars. But, the question needs to be asked "Why set forth on such a journey, without a trial run to colonize the moon?".
http://applicants.mars-one.com/
http://news.discovery.com/space/private-spaceflight/mars-mission-possible-in-20-130506.htm
http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/01/11/Mars-colonists-sought-for-exhibition/6731357939067/
http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/05/09/mars-expedition-already-draws-nearly-80000-applicants
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_manned_Mars_mission_plans_in_the_20th_century
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manned_mission_to_Mars
Perhaps, this is just the delusions of child that was raised on science fiction to believe that space colonies would be a reality in his life time.
theassistant:
The big thing right now is levels of radiation on Mars, we currently have no material to block it with. Once the enginerds work that out we'll be in business........if the space agencies can get more funding. Which is unlikely unfortunately. 
theassistant:
Yeah...there is the whole zero gravity health things to deal with as well. I think a moon colony would just be cost prohibitive, NASA keeps getting funding cuts because the people in gov't are idiots. Privatized companies could easily get involved but they need some sort of payoff for their trouble, the research is neat and all but that doesn't return on their investments unfortunately. :\ I think the big thing in the near future as far as space goes will be mining asteroids because they have the potential for huge returns for the companies that undertake it.