The Mars One project intends to bring individuals that will permanently man stations in the Red Planet. (Photo : Mars One)
Former NASA astronaut Buzz Aldrin has apparently announced a collaboration with the Florida Institute of Technology in order to initiate plans for a potential Mars colony that will begin in 2030.
Aldrin is the second man to walk on the surface of the moon in 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission along with fellow space explorer, Neil Armstrong where he made this announcement on August 27 as he hopes to become much more involved in the guidance and operation of NASA's space programs, also encouraging global support.
The 85 year old space veteran will offer his services as a research professor for aeronautics and become a senior faculty adviser when the Buzz Aldrin Space Institute opens in fall.
Initially, Aldrin's concept involves a space program called Cycling Pathways to Occupy Mars where he considers this as a blueprint or "master plan" where the first colonizers are willing volunteers for a one way trip to the Red Planet where there will also be a chance for a stopover on Mars' moons, Deimos and Phobos.
Aldrin says that this can be likened to the pilgrims who arrived via the Mayflower and lived and stayed in America. The pilgrims did not wait in Plymouth Rock for a return trip and neither will the first settlers on Mars who will build a population and live there, he says.
According to president and CEO of Florida Tech, Anthony J. Catanese, Florida Tech has always been at the forefront of exploration since its foundation in 1958, that began as a night school for missile men, as America started the space race in Cape Canaveral.
He adds that having Aldrin who will build this newest initiative at Florida Tech is indeed an honor where we look forward to a meaningful collaboration that will become humanity's new vision as space unfolds.
Aldrin responded to this by saying that he is thrilled to be partnering with FIT where Florida will be his new home state. He also reminisced his time with NASA during the Gemini 12 and Apollo 11 missions where he hopes to be also remembered for his future space contributions. He believes that FIT will play an important role for his legacy in Cycling Pathways to Occupy Mars.
