The Real Life Plan To Colonize Mars With People

The Real-Life Plan to Colonize Mars by 2032

The First Crew of 100 Have Been Chosen

I am not affiliated with the Mars One mission or anyone involved in this project. I am just a fascinated and curious bystander!

The intention is to establish a permanent settlement on the planet Mars. The participants (astronauts) must be fully vetted as this is a permanent one way trip.

The mission is called Mars One, a non-profit founded by a Dutch entrepreneur. In 2012 the application process was started. Over 200,000 people from over 100 different countries had applied by 2013 to be one of the first humans to settle on Mars.

The first call for volunteers has now closed, but you can still participate by donating, follow along with their progress and watch for another open call sign-up sheet. Here is where they are so far in the process.

Are they serious? Yes! They have investment deals with Phoenix Enterprises for funding. Honda, Orci Advertising and Lenovo all have agreed to fund campaigns to feature the Mars One candidates. Hardware components are obviously needed for this plan to be successful. Lockheed Martin and Paragon Space Development have contracted as two companies to partner with Mars One.

The expected journey of the first crew is planned for the year 2032. That is just 12 years away and there is much training to do before that lift off date.

While the first 100 “Martians” (they call them astronauts, but I like Martians) have been chosen, there is an expected second round subsequent program to commence soon. With 4 more rounds expected per their web site.

The first 100 chosen have agreed to a one way trip and so will you if you choose to apply and are chosen in any subsequent round. The first 100 consist of 50 men and 50 women. They have begun training in earth based simulated outposts. The trip from Earth to Mars is an expected seven months. Depending on when they leave Earth will determine the time frame exactly because both Mars and the Earths orbits are not exactly circular and so the time can vary from six to eight months travel time.

Living conditions are inflatable living units and you can see mock up examples on their web site that includes the interiors. The units will have human breathable oxygen inside. Units are equipped with solar panels. They have plans for an indoor farm for growing food. The astronauts, as they are being called, will spend their time between working hours and personal down time just as we do here on earth.

The three main jobs will be construction, maintenance, and research. This will include growing food, installing corridors between living units and work/research units. Maintenance of solar panels, electrical panels, bathroom facilities, etc. They are not looking to just grow food, they also have plans of growing trees and other landscaping plants. Living on Mars also creates a great opportunity for further research of the planet.

According to the Mars One web site there will be internet and television, and so, everyone will have communication access to those back on earth. Having a web server, restaurants, cafeteria, gardens, doctors, engineers, ongoing educational venues, and shared community maintained spaces like gyms, will require jobs just like we have here on Earth.

According to the Mars One site, the qualifications to be a Mars One Astronaut are long but achievable by most. Here are a few of the requirements:

• First of all they are looking for physically healthy, psychologically stable, creative and intelligent participants.
• You must be able to commit to this being a permanent move. Meaning for the rest of your life. They have no plans on a return mission from Mars to Earth.
• You must be 18 years or older at the time of leaving. While there is a minimum age limit, there is no maximum age limit. If you enjoy good health and meet the full criteria listed on their site you are eligible to apply.
• Free of disease, and no dependency on drugs, alcohol or tobacco.
• Height must be between 5’1 and 6’2

A detailed plan for every phase of the Mars One mission is explained on their site. For those chosen, the training, as stated earlier, begins here on Earth. There are three phases of training: technical training, personal training and group training which is very important with a mission such as this.

What you train in will depend on your assignment. Some of the crew members will be trained extensively in the repair of all equipment. Others will receive medical training to treat not only minor health issues but major health problems that can present themselves. The crew members will also include those trained in geology and exobiology.

All crew members will go through training to ensure they can each cope with the difficulties of their new living environment.

Finally, during Phase 3, all crew members will go through extensive simulations of what life will be like daily and during emergencies.

Should you wish to read more about this exciting new exploration, donate to the cause, or apply to move to Mars once they open the next phase of the application process here are some ways to get in touch, Oh, you can also meet the first 100 chosen . . .

• www.mars-one.com

• Twitter: @MarsOneProject
• Linkedin: www.Linkedin.com/company/mars-one
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarsOneProject
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/MarsOneProject

Before I go, aren’t you curious? So many questions. Will they have animals for meat? What about pets? Will they be allowed to date and marry and have children once they arrive or will there be guidelines the first year or so? Will they create “outdoor” park simulations and ponds with fish? What are your questions?

There is a fictional book called Mars One, no association to the real life mission, that is right on the mark to get you in the mood for this new, real life adventure: Mars One, by Jonathan Maberry, a five times Bram Stoker Award winner and comic book writer. http://www.Amazon.com/MarsOne

By Paula C. Henderson

I am not affiliated with the Mars One mission or anyone involved in this project. I am just a fascinated and curious bystander!