Sometimes, life on Earth can become a bit frustrating, but does the thought of relocating to another planet evoke feelings of curious excitement or sheer terror for you?
For the 100,000 individuals who have applied to join the Mars One mission, it’s likely the former.
Based in the Netherlands, the Mars One project is a ‘not for profit foundation that aims to establish a permanent human settlement on Mars in 2023’, with plans to add more crew members to the colony every two years thereafter.
The search for the inaugural group of astronauts commenced in April, sifting through applications from thousands eager to commit themselves to the one-way journey. It’s important to note there is no return if they end up feeling homesick.
Bas Lansdorp, founder and CEO of Mars One, stated that aspiring astronauts will undergo eight years of training to be adequately prepared for the mission. They will acquire skills to handle ‘both routine and critical medical situations, including dental maintenance, muscle injuries, and bone breaks’.
This year, 40 candidates will be selected for the initiative, and Lansdorp aspires to send four of them (two males and two females) to Mars in September 2022, aiming for a landing in April 2023.
Individuals over the age of 18 can apply by paying a submission fee. For the 30,000 Americans who have applied, the fee is $38, whereas for applicants from Madagascar or Afghanistan, it’s only $5.
The differing fees, according to the foundation, are designed with a country’s GDP in mind, ensuring wide access to the selection process for a diverse group of people.
The cost for its first mission to the red planet is estimated to be $6 billion, and despite questions surrounding the feasibility of the project, the CEO remains confident in its viability.
One aspiring astronaut expressed his desire to be associated with figures like Neil Armstrong and Yuri Gagarin.
‘Becoming a true pioneer of space travel would be simply amazing. Expanding our horizons to other planets isn’t just fascinating; it’s truly awe-inspiring,’ he remarked.
Twenty-seven-year-old Charlotte shared her enthusiasm, stating she ‘really, really wants to go into space’.
‘Who wouldn’t want to go to Mars? It’s the world’s greatest adventure. I’m an adventurer, bring it on,’ she exclaimed.
Sarah, who is 29, commented: ‘I’m here to break the stereotype that accountants are dull by becoming the world’s first astronaut accountant!’
