McNally_2004abstr

Copyright © 2004 by R. McNally. Published by The Mars Society with permission.

 

A DISCUSSION OF THE PRACTICAL ADVANTAGES OF DESIGNATING A WOMAN TO BE THE FIRST PERSON ON MARS

 

Bob McNally

 

 

ABSTRACT

 

This paper is not intended to prove that having a woman step on Mars first is the best thing to do. It is intended to provoke a discussion and reflection on whether who is first on Mars should be seen as a mission important resource, affecting the future exploration and settlement of Mars. In addition, we’ll ask should this resource be employed to the benefit of Mars exploration, and future human presence on Mars. Since there are some cogent reasons why choosing a woman for that role may be a very good choice, we will look at that in terms of asking “how do we optimize support for a continued human presence on Mars.

 

Generating the will, the spirit, the enthusiasm, the courage for going to Mars, in vast numbers of people, is perhaps the biggest obstacle we face. Support for going to Mars is by no means universal. Many people argue that resources devoted to going to Mars would be better spent improving conditions here on Earth. Generating support for continuing Mars exploration is a necessary and legitimate goal of the first mission, and well worth being an important priority in mission planning.