Mission to Mars is on Schedule, Sort Of

Are you still in the running?  Last summer, more than 200,000 people applied for a one-way ticket to Mars. In December, one thousand, fifty eight of them were selected to move on to the next round.

The nonprofit Dutch organization,  Mars One is behind the idea.  They plan to send an unmanned mission to Mars in 2018.  The people will start going up in 2025.

Really, they have a website and everything. Even a Youtube Video.

Last April the application process opened up to anyone over the age of 18 .  All they had to do was send in a video explaining why they wanted to go to Mars, and how they felt about never returning to Earth.

Applications came in from 107 countries, The United States has the most in the mix with 297.  472 women and 586 men applied. The oldest to move on to the next round is 81. You need to view their profiles because eventually we pick who goes.  (Just like the VOICE)

Over the next few years, the chosen will move through a series of physical and emotional tests, and simulations, many will be eliminated, finally leaving about 40.

The final candidates will train in groups and eventually a global audience will  vote on which team will go to Mars in 2025. They will send new teams up every two years after that.

It is all going to cost about $6 billion. Mars One is nonprofit, so if you want to help, the company is willing to consider exclusive partnerships and sponsorships plus money from you and me. And Yes they do have T-shirts!