The Mars One project founder uses Ubuntu

Jan 19, 2015 15:41 GMT  ·  By

Mars One is a project that aims to put people on planet Mars by 2025, before NASA and everyone else. The kicker is that it's designed as a one-way trip for the colonists. The good news, if you can call it that, is that they seem to be favoring Linux.

Many publications and scientists have expressed doubt about the success of the mission. The main and first problem is that Mars One claims that it only needs about $6 billion (€5.1 billion), which is believed to be completely unrealistic. Supposedly, this entire venture is to be funded with the help of reality TV.

Basically, all the selection process, the training, the launch, and the actual colonization of Mars would be televised, just like any reality show. This would provide the funds necessary for the project, although that in itself raises a lot of questions. Also, there is no shortage of volunteers. Thousands of people have already signed for it and a difficult sorting process will start.

What operating system will they use on Mars?

Everyone is talking about radiation problems, oxygenations problems, survivability issues, food, water, and even the actual transportation, but no one is asking the real question. What will the operating system used on Mars be? What will the first OS to leave Earth and help colonize another planet be?.

It's doubtful that these questions have been asked by the people in charge of Mars One and it's probably not a priority, but the founder of Mars One, Bas Lansdorp, seems to favor Ubuntu, hence a Linux system. This would actually make a lot of sense, if you want to get something stable and capable or running for years on end, without breaking.

It's also quite likely that a mishmash of OSes will be used, but Linux users can hope that the preferences of the founder of Mars One will also reflect in the mission itself.

Ubuntu is also the most used Linux system used and it has round-the-clock support, which will probably be very important. The Mars One project also needs to cut spending wherever possible, so it's very likely that they are already thinking of Linux.

Check the video past the one-minute mark, if you want to skip to the Ubuntu part. You can also check out the Linux Action Show, where this subject was also discussed.

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Mars One
Bas LansdorpNo shortage of volunteers
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