Wanted: Mars colonists to explore red planet

#843493: First color image of Mars surface (detail) from NASA Mars Exploration Rover "Spirit", photo / AP Graphics

If you think you have the right stuff to help colonize Mars, you'll soon get your chance to prove it.

The Netherlands-based nonprofit Mars One, which hopes to put the first boots on the Red Planet in 2023, released its basic astronaut requirements today (Jan. 8), setting the stage for a televised global selection process that will begin later this year.

Mars One isn't zeroing in on scientists or former fighter pilots; anyone who is at least 18 years old can apply to become a Mars colony pioneer. The most important criteria, officials say, are intelligence, good mental and physical health and dedication to the project, as astronauts will undergo eight years of training before launch.

"Gone are the days when bravery and the number of hours flying a supersonic jet were the top criteria," Norbert Kraft, Mars One's chief medical director and a former NASA researcher, said in a statement. "Now, we are more concerned with how well each astronaut works and lives with the others, in the long journey from Earth to Mars and for a lifetime of challenges ahead."

Mars One plans to launch a series of robotic cargo missions between 2016 and 2021, which will build a habitable Red Planet outpost ahead of the arrival of the first four colonists in 2023. More settlers will arrive every two years after that. There are no plans to return the pioneers to Earth. [Mars One: 'Big Brother' on Mars? (Video)]

The organization will fund most of its ambitious activities by staging a global reality-TV event that follows the colonization effort from astronaut selection through the settlers' first years on Mars.

Mars One, which transitioned from a private company to a nonprofit late last year, has already received a number of inquiries from prospective colonists, officials said.

"Well before the official Astronaut Selection Program, we received more than 1,000 emails from individuals who desire to go to Mars," Suzanne Flinkenflogel, Mars One's communications director, said in a statement. "We are working hard to launch our selection campaign as soon as possible, to open the doors to everyone who aspires to do something tremendous in their lifetime."

Final astronaut candidates will be selected after review by Mars One experts and a global TV event. Those chosen will be employed by Mars One during their Earth-based training and for the length of their time on the Red Planet, officials said.

To learn more about the selection process, go to www.thenextgiantleap.com.

This story was provided by SPACE.com, a sister site to LiveScience. Follow SPACE.com on Twitter @Spacedotcom. We're also on Facebook & Google+.

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[BCSaugerties]

Please send Nancy Pelosi and while you're at it send Reid and Schumer too.

[Alphanoir-lwjr]

The folks (and their families they leave back home) who make this trip are gonna be RICH from all those precious minerals and new elements they find. (Gold, diamonds, and the ones we don't know...)

[JD929]

"The earth is the cradle of humankind, but one cannot live in the cradle forever."
—Konstantin Tsiolkovsky

For all those who have doubts about this mission, who say it's a waste of money, etc. I ask you, do you think we can actually stay here forever? I understand why you may have doubts, but it's a practical matter; we have to spread out, we have to expand, for the sake of our planet and our species. We are using up the Earth's resources, food, water, and space. We must spread out if we are to survive.

This mission might fail, yes. But what we learn from it, will help us in future missions.

[Jonseen]

I will try to be POLITE in answering this. But what the heck is on the red planet that would make it worthwhile going there? On it's worst day, earth is still a zillion times more attractive than a planet that has absolutely NOTHING. I cannot begin to understand the fascination with Mars; I keep thinking it over and I really don't get it and I don't think I ever will. Just look at that photo up there. The Sahara has more to offer than THAT red rocky landscape.

I hope nobody signs up for the Mars mission. Ok, going there sounds exciting. And they would certainly be heroes for volunteering. The trip would be long, but they'd have the excitement of landing and getting settled. And THEN what?? After 5, 10, 20 years I think it would begin to settle in their heads that this is really a lousy place and a waste of time. I wonder what the suicide rate would be.

[keniray]

They waste money running like cowards to a planet which God didn't put life on instead of trying to help what life we have on earth. Good ridance evolutionists.

[Joemama11111]

Spoken like a true Christian. It's sad how uneducated some of you fools are. You clearly don't even understand the Theory of Evolution. It can actually co-exist with God, but then again, you obviously don't know schitt about Him either.

[ws11]

No plans to return? Ok, so by 2073 thers going to be a sizable senior citizen populaion there? What they going to do with them? Soylent Green? If you cnt work it off to te proccesor wit you.

[MusicFiend101GB]

They tried this like a year ago, what no suckers...oops I mean volunteers?
James Holmes has red hair to match the red planet...seems like a win win!

[MusicFiend101GB]

They tried this like a year ago, what no suckers...oops I mean volunteers?
James Holmes has red hair to match the red planet...seems like a win win!

[crankyoleman]

I nominate Jerry Brown. Ole' moonbeam would fit right in.

[silvereagle2718]

My guess is that it won't be successful on this timetable. My rules are a little (maybe a lot) more conservative than theirs. I wouldn't be surprised to see people make it there (and back) within the present generation. Depends on what the world wants to do. Obama is not the world, and Hugo Chavez may not be the world for much longer. Putin, I'm not so sure about.

Spent too much time trying to keep equipment running (in a commercial environment) when the business made money and spare parts were 24 hours away. If we failed, we just didn't sell that for a little while. We were still alive to sell it next week or next month.

Yes, if you keep throwing money and lives at it (and nobody stops you), you will probably eventually get somebody there. But private ventures do go bankrupt and I don't see the profit. My guess is that the major networks that the ad revenue is supposed to come to want to show reality programs where somebody wins and nobody dies.

[Aussiebobbie]

I don't think it's about profit and returns. it's a new world. your fore fathers got that. and so did mine.

and politicians don't necessarily qualify, if you read it properly.

[alixoblix]

If you say Flinkenflogel a few times fast enough, you're almost on Mars...