14 DAY TRIAL // In light of the recent article describing Buzz Aldrin's idea of no-return trips to Mars as being more logical and profitable, try to imagine the following situation: you are chosen to represent the pioneering mission that would help establish the first base on the red planet. Money and space are not a problem, so you could afford taking anything with you. The problem is just limiting your backpack to only five items, and keeping in mind that they would have to render useful for a lifetime. Ian O'Neill, writer for UniverseToday and AstroEngine, has already gone through this scenario and here's his top 5 surviving and fun things, from 5 to 1.
Footage of Earth, home and family, to keep him from forgetting what real colors or loved ones look like, as well as to help him cope with psychological issues, which are known as critically damaging in stressing situations. Besides that, he considers that carrying a camera along would also prove useful in tracking first Martian records and forever carving his name into Martian renowned dead photographers' hall of fame.
Seeds of all kinds, to grow in a self-built greenhouse. Bamboo trees grow 30 cm daily, reaching a proper height and sturdiness relatively quickly, and providing a perfect material for building a home, furniture or whatever else is needed in this respect. Hemp comes second, since it yields paper, food, clothing, and can be used for medicinal purposes (and, of course, as an incentive for good mood). Barley and wheat would allow for beer making, while grapes would ensure a good amount of wine, given the necessary equipment. Red wine is a good source for antioxidants, helping combat the effects of Mars' higher radiation levels (and another inducement of good mood).
Audio version of the War of the Worlds (the original from 1938, which terrified thousands of people, or the 1976 musical, but definitely not Steven Spielberg’s 2005 terrible mistake). Besides the obvious relaxing effect of playing it out loud on Mars, there's another reason for him to take it on the trip. Since H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds is about a Martian invasion and now humans would be the invaders, O'Neill is confident that hypothetic Martians would appreciate the irony.
An adaptation of a Mars rover to race on rough terrain at high speeds and low gravity, along the sides and slopes of Valles Marineris (largest valley in the known solar system: 4,000 km long, 200 km wide and as deep as 7 km) or Olympus Mons (highest mountain in the system – 27 km).
Golf equipment, for the same recreational uses. The low gravity and atmosphere from Mars can turn anyone into a decent player, allowing for kilometer-long shots.
All in all, it looks like a city-building game to a smaller, more rudimentary scale. So, if you think Ian O'Neill is wrong, what would you take with you on the red planet?