Richard Branson wants to 'populate' Mars

Published October 21, 2015

(Reuters)

July 27, 2009: With a model of WhiteKnightTwo behind him, Sir Richard Branson gives an interview at the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual AirVenture convention in Oshkosh, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Richard Branson is on a mission to Mars.

The Virgin Airlines CEO says he has a plan to populate the red planet with an intergalactic Noah’s Ark.

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“Obviously, you are going to want scientists initially,” he told the New York Post at Condé Nast Traveler’s Celebration of “The Visionaries” at Alice Tully Hall. “You’re going to want physicians, you’re going to want comedians, you’re going to want fun people, beautiful people, ugly people -- a good cross-section of what happens on Earth -- on Mars. People have got to be able to get on together, because it’s going to be quite confined.”

Branson would also like to take the journey himself, though, “It may be a one-way trip because the energy to get you there is relatively easy, the energy to get you back is quite difficult. So maybe I’ll wait till the last 10 years of my life, and then maybe go, if my wife will let me.”

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He has one more taker in Susan Sarandon, who was overheard backstage telling the Virgin Galactic mogul she’d like to travel to space “and open a pingpong bar.”