It’s a one way trip, to an unknown and very uncertain future on Mars. Still, when it was announced, some 200.000 people in over 140 countries put their names forward.
A Dutch-based non-profit company is behind the Mars One project which seeks to establish a permanent colony on the red planet.
Out of the original 200,000 applicants the number was cut to 2,782 who met the criteria, then on December first 2013 that was reduced to 1,058 and there are now 663 applicants remaining. Last year in May there were still 54 Canadians in the running
Of the total of 663 remaining, one still in the running, is University of Saskatchewan third year political studies student Andrew Cooper.
“I have always looked up at the stars, and wondered when we would get there,” said Cooper. “I’m a science-fiction buff, I’m a huge Asimov fan, and I’m excited for the day when you could take a trip to the moon colony.”
Asked last year by the University of Saskatchewan newspaper about the one-way trip and how he feels about leaving Earth forever he said, “I don’t think that’s a question anyone can answer until they’re actually on the path to Mars… But you’d be crazy not to miss your family or your friends or the culture of Earth; music, art, socialization — that’s what makes you human.”
But this month, quoted by CBC news he says, “”It’s really the next step in human discovery,” Cooper said. “When people were sailing around the world to discover new places, they could have described that as a suicide mission. That’s how a discovery is made — taking new steps to discover places you’ve never been before.”
Over the course of this year, numbers will be further whittled down with 40 chosen for training to begin this year, and 24 of those making the final cut.
A reality show is being planned which will follow the final candidates through their training process, designed to help in the funding process.
The project is being funded through sponsors and private investors, and is expected to cost at least six billion dollars.
Beginning in 2018, unmanned flights to Mars will begin, to scout places for the settlement, then to send necessary equipment and housing on the planet.
Starting in 2024, teams of 4 astronauts are planned to be sent to Mars in teams of four. The first team is scheduled to arrive in 2025 — 210 days after their departure from Earth. Subsequent crews of four would arrive at two-year intervals
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