Space & Astronomy

Mars One selection to be a reality TV show

By T.K. Randall
January 2, 2014

Image Credit: (PD) NASA via Wikimedia Commons When Mars One announced that it was offering people the opportunity to take part in a one-way trip to the Red Planet, few could have predicted that by the time applications had closed there would be more than 200,000 volunteers signed up.

Through a thorough screening process organizers have since narrowed this list down to 1,058 applicants from 107 countries. Many of those who applied were quickly ruled out due to "not taking the mission seriously" including several who filmed themselves for the application process naked.To narrow the list of candidates down to the final target of just 40 individuals, the mission's organizers are planning to host an ambitious reality TV series.

"The next several selection phases in 2014 and 2015 will include rigorous simulations, many in team settings, with focus on testing the physical and emotional capabilities of our remaining candidates," said Mars One chief medical officer Norbert Kraft.

If the mission does go ahead then it could see the winning candidates blasting off to Mars by 2025, however there still remain grave doubts over the financial and technical feasibility of such an endeavor. The next step, hoping to take place within the next few years, will be to send a satellite and robotic lander to Mars to help test out the technologies needed for the actual mission.

Source: Telegraph

Tags: Mars One