A spontaneous community faction project.

[sisko]

[A discussion of the proposed Mars One mission veered off into making a Richard Branson faction.  What follows this OP are the relevant posts.]

Mission, Vision and Feasibility
Mars One’s mission objective

Mars One plans to establish the first human settlement on Mars by April 2023. The first crew of four astronauts emigrate to their new planet from Earth, a journey that takes seven months. A new team will join the settlement every two years. By 2033 there will be over twenty people living, working and flourishing on Mars, their new home.

The vision of Mars One

A manned mission to Mars is one of the most exciting, inspiring and ambitious adventures that mankind can take on. We see this as a journey that belongs to us all, and it is for this reason that we will make every step one that we take together. This will also be our way to finance the mission: the mission to Mars will be the biggest media event ever!
The entire world will be able to watch and help with decisions as the teams of settlers are selected, follow their extensive training and preparation for the mission and of course observe their settling on Mars once arrived. The emigrated astronauts will share their experiences with us as they build their new home, conduct experiments and explore Mars. The mission itself will provide us with invaluable scientific and social knowledge that will be accessible to everyone, not just an elite select few. Join us in this adventure. Put it on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or whatever platforms are available to you, and spread the word!

A realistic plan

The Mars One team has worked on this plan since early 2011. That first year saw us research the feasibility of the idea extensively and exhaustively, scrutinizing every detail with countless specialists and expert organizations. In this analysis we not only included the technical elements, but also comprehensively discussed the financial, psychological and ethical aspects.
We have met with several established, international aerospace companies who can design and deliver the essential hardware components for the Mars mission. These have written letters of interest that support our plan.
We have an impressive list of people who support the mission to Mars, our ambassadors. One of them is professor dr. Gerard 't Hooft, Physics Nobel Prize winner of 1999.
We were this thorough in our preparations for a reason. A project as ambitious as sending a manned mission to Mars can only be presented credibly when it can stand on its own two feet. We have a feasible plan and a way to finance it. We are ready to go, will you join us?

they have a project, they have the suppliers and a forseeable timeline, but they have no money.. at least, till now.
the plan is to broadcast everything and make it a "Big Brother" show. this will attract potential sponsors in their view.
but who wants to watch Big Brother in space every day? (besides a bunch of SMACers, of course)

so, is this really going to happen or not?

[Davyboy]

...Initial sponsors include Byte Internet (a Dutch Internet/Webhosting provider); Dutch lawfirm VBC Notarissen; Dutch consulting company MeetIn; New-Energy.tv (an independent Dutch web station that focuses on energy and climate); and Dejan SEO (an Australia-based search engine optimization firm). [Video: 'Big Brother' on Mars?]...

that's what?     0.01% of the budget rounded up? 

At least 0.01%

Methinks they need to 'entice' some of the 0.01% to come on board - it just might appeal to the vanity/hubris of the Bransons/Gateses/Zuckerthings.. Branson would be my fave, let's face it, HE'LL be up suborbital within two years.
But any 'name' would require Mars-->Earth upgrade planing. Not an impossibility either.

[sisko]

..Branson would be my fave, let's face it, HE'LL be up suborbital within two years.

would be nice to have Branson onboard this project but this is not his 'baby'. he likes too much his own ideas to get involved in this.

[Buster's Uncle]

Branson does seem to like himself, doesn't he?

[sisko]

Branson does seem to like himself, doesn't he?

indeed:

[Davyboy]

Branson does seem to like himself, doesn't he?

indeed:

That's our gal!!!!!!!!

..Branson would be my fave, let's face it, HE'LL be up suborbital within two years.

would be nice to have Branson onboard this project but this is not his 'baby'. he likes too much his own ideas to get involved in this.

Just need to convince him that it's his idea to 'bring them back'. Once he's had a bit of suborbital '100-mile high club' (or whatever) he'll be tempted to throw in.

Branson does seem to like himself, doesn't he?

He always has. But he's a shrewd businessman for all of his egocentric vanity. I even owned shares in his outfit when he took it public nearly 30 years ago. He also pretty soon after, took it private again. No-one lost money!). Whisper the big Mars deal in his ear - convince him that there's a high-probability return strategy and I bet he'd bite. He'd also be looking to turn a profit on the deal too - and probably would on past form.

[Buster's Uncle]

There's that - he gets results, and he loves flamboyant, high-profile projects.

[Davyboy]

There's that - he gets results, and he loves flamboyant, high-profile projects.

Looks like a (high-heeled) shoe-in...

[sisko]

Looks like a (high-heeled) shoe-in...

we have a new faction leader!
a SMAC 'Virgin' faction anyone?

[Buster's Uncle]

Okay, sorta another Morgan.  Going to Alpha Centauri certainly sounds like something he'd do.

Portrait's not problem, and neither should the logo be - how about bases and diplomacy landscape?

[Davyboy]

we have a new faction leader!
a SMAC 'Virgin' faction anyone?

Leader predicates EXPLORE, BUILD.
-1GROWTH (raving cross-dressers have little interest in bio-reproduction)
+1WEALTH (accomplished monopolists)
-4PROBE (very shy)
+50% hurry (you want it, you pay for it)
FREEFAC Punishment Sphere - with relevant tech (tough luck with the research)
2% INTEREST
Starts with NO free tech.

Any offers?

[sisko]

... - how about bases and diplomacy landscape?

this is what a google search gives us:

[Buster's Uncle]

Which is which, you think?

we have a new faction leader!
a SMAC 'Virgin' faction anyone?

Leader predicates EXPLORE, BUILD.
-1GROWTH (raving cross-dressers have little interest in bio-reproduction)
+1WEALTH (accomplished monopolists)
-4PROBE (very shy)
+50% hurry (you want it, you pay for it)
FREEFAC Punishment Sphere - with relevant tech (tough luck with the research)
2% INTEREST
Starts with NO free tech.

Any offers?

Great!

[Davyboy]

Pretty impressive stuff sisko.

The retro-French toilet seat base look works for me (somehow) . Either are great Diplos.

[Davyboy]

Which is which, you think?

we have a new faction leader!
a SMAC 'Virgin' faction anyone?

Leader predicates EXPLORE, BUILD.
-1GROWTH (raving cross-dressers have little interest in bio-reproduction)
+1WEALTH (accomplished monopolists)
-4PROBE (very shy)
+50% hurry (you want it, you pay for it)
FREEFAC Punishment Sphere - with relevant tech (tough luck with the research)
2% INTEREST
Starts with NO free tech.

Any offers?

Great!

I'm sorely tempted to CTRL-Q my current game, mock a faction up with those specs and give it a whirl.
It was only two minutes of cogitation, a suggestion, mods welcome.