It can be said that exploration is in the blood of humanity.
Exploration and conquest of worlds beyond our reach is the next step.
It has been 43 years since the last Apollo mission to the Moon, and now we are setting our sights on the Red Planet next door with the Mars One mission.
The Mars One mission seeks to establish a permanent human settlement on Mars. Crews of four will depart every two years, starting in 2024. The first unmanned mission will be launched in 2018. The six-billion dollar venture will be privately funded to not only create the necessary technologies, but also produce a Reality Television show starring amateur astronauts; As Per NASA missions, the next set of cosmonauts will be tested on Earth by simulating the harsh Martian terrain as well as life inside of the terraformed complex. However, the six billion would only sufficient for the beginning as upkeep of supplies, technology, and Terra-forming materials would dive into the tens of billions.
The Mars One team is confident that they will raise the funds necessary through private and corporate investors. At about 1/10,000th of the Proposed Budget, they still have a ways to go. I bought a shirt here.
Unfortunately, the odds are quite dismal for the teams of four. Many accidents could occur on the two year voyage via crash landing, ship malfunction, or cabin fever. NASA Scientists hypothesize that the first death would occur within 2 months give or take the efficiency of plant care and physical activity. Hopefully those next four flying next in line two years afterwards will not be greeted by lifeless astronauts.
Originally 200,000 people, from all walks of life, volunteered to be apart to the four-man MARS ONE mission set for 2024. As of A few days ago, it has boiled down to 50 men and women. One thing is certain; they are well aware that they will die, and for that we should thank them.
Here is a Mini- Doc by The Guardian about those people:
