Dennis Tito To Announce Private Human Mars Mission

[Bucky]

41. The more I think about it, the more I expect the UN not to be involved in such a process.

I doubt it's feasible at all, seeing how it'd be unworthwhile colonization would be, given the health damage the low G environment will visit on all Martian residents. But, still, colonization of Mars, to whatever extent it happens, will be the result of treaties among the nations able to go there. Mars is an 18 month round trip at minimum. The layover inbetween going and coming would have to be at least a year to even be worth the effort. 2-3 years in zero-to-low G does ugly things to bones and cartiledge.

Given the cost in health and personnel, I don't see an argument to induce the countries that expend treasure, blood, hours, and technical know-how to get to Mars to simultaneously hand over freebies to those that don't contribute. I mean, in the abstract it might seem fair and humanitarian to share the spoils. But what authority would there be to induce the ones with their feet in the Dusty Red Door to share with those who can't even reach the first step?

Expect instead for treaties among the explorers to hash out the details of who owns what chunks of the 4th Rock. Anything the UN might try to exert its authority over the process would result in Security Council vetoes from the interested parties. Don't forget that NASA, the CNSA, and Roscosmos each happens to hold UNSC vetoes... and the ESA holds two.