(Updated on Apr 23, 2013 – see bottom of post)
The organization “Mars One” has just released its eligibility requirements to become an astronaut in their 2023 Mars mission. And the good news is, if you’re over 18 and reasonably intelligent, you probably qualify, and it’s going to be free!
– wait, what??? Why was I not told about this?!?
No, really.
The not-for-profit Dutch organization, or “Stichting” announced last May that they plan to establish a colony on Mars in 2023. Later this year, candidates will be selected, placed on 4-person teams, and undergo 8 years of training. Meanwhile, missions will be undertaken to start shipping equipment to Mars and preparing it for human habitation. Then in 2023, we, the citizens of Earth will have a role in choosing which 4-person team gets to go first. A second crew will follow two years later, with equipment runs continuing in between. And so on.
How will it all be financed? Well, the whole thing is going to be a 24/7/365 streaming broadcast. Yup. Like the guy says in the video, “This is going to be much bigger than Big Brother.”
So you’re game? An upper age limit has not yet been established, but for now, “It is not necessary to have military training nor experience in flying aircraft nor even a science degree. It is most important that each applicant be intelligent, in good mental and physical health, and be willing to dedicate eight years to training and learning before making the journey to his or her new home on Mars.” And of course the seven month space flight. One-way.
Oh yeah, there is that one wrinkle – that last part. If you go, you’re never coming back. You will star in a 24/7 reality show on Mars for the rest of your life! Find out more about the application process here. Oh and watch the video below (there’s always a video). And while you consider whether to apply, you can also vote for your favorite Mars One banner.
Update, 23 April 2013:
Incorrectly, this post suggested Mars One was taking applications when it was originally published. However, as of 23 April 2013, applications are being accepted for the program. See the excerpt below:
We are pleased to announce that yesterday at 12.00 pm EDT Mars One has opened the door to the Astronaut Selection Program.
In last few days we opened the application website to a small group of potential applicants and asked them to be the first ones to submit their applications. Their contribution was really helpful to improve the application platform.Now it’s your turn. You can submit your application at http://apply.mars-one.com. This isRound 1 of the selection procedure which will close on 31st August 2013.
You can apply in one of the eleven most commonly used languages on the internet: English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese, Indonesian, Korean, Arabic.
