Mars, 2001, with the southern polar ice cap visible on the bottom. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I only ask because  a private company has announced that it’s taking bookings for a flight to Mars – the catch being  it’s a one-way ticket. But I thought, hell, I’m getting on a bit; by the time we land on the red planet, I might only have a few years left in me anyway.

This set me thinking; how would I spend the time I had left before the air and water  ran out, or I succumbed to the only form of life on Mars; a virus that proves deadly to humans!

I’d take my kindle, so I’d have plenty to read – yes I do know, other e- readers are available.

I could do a bit  of exploring; collect a few rocks – there’s a lot of ’em on Mars – perhaps I’ll be the first to prove there is life on Mars by discovering the virus that will ultimately be my nemesis, but then what? The Martian landscape is red and that’s it, it doesn’t have the variation and beauty of terrain to be found on earth.

So, unless there are a host of  cities full of Martians hidden beneath that desolate surface, there isn’t much for a non-scientist like me to do on Mars. I wonder if they will refund my deposit?