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 Mars One was set up in 2011 by two Dutch men with the goal of
establishing permanent human life on Mars in 2025. They hope the
project will be funded by investors and the rights from the
documentary-cum-reality TV broadcasting of the tests, training and
final selection.
The 1,058 candidates who got through to the first round come from
all over the world. By far the largest number — 297 — are American,
followed by 75 Canadians and 62 Indians.
They must now undergo rigorous tests, including simulations of life
on Mars and coping with isolation, co-founder Bas Lansdorp said.
"The challenge with 200,000 applicants is separating those who we
feel are physically and mentally adept to become human ambassadors
on Mars from those who are obviously taking the mission much less
seriously," Lansdorp said.
(Reporting by Sara Webb; editing by Larry King)
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