Reality Astronauts

It is amazing how every idea I have was already thought of.

A few months back while watching some silly show or another I determined that a trip to Mars would make an excellent reality TV show. Just put in 6-20 interesting and single young adults and film the chaos that ensues when they are all locked in a tiny space for years at a time with a high probability of dying.

Of course, I didn't think of exactly the idea that was mentioned in a recent New York Times article. The first part of that reality TV show could be the astronaut selection process. You could easily set up a Survivor or American Idol type show to pick who will be on the trip.

A shame that the billions that could be made with this funding mechanism is such a tiny fraction of the price of the trip. Maybe in 30 years.