A Netherlands non-profit group, Mars One, announced they will begin a global search on July 2013 to find the best candidates for the first human mission to Mars in 2023.

Applicants must submit a one-minute YouTube video explaining why they are the best candidate to become one of the 40 astronaut trainees. Those chosen would-be astronauts will train three months at a time beginning on 2015, and continue to train for the next 7 years to prepare for the hardships of the travel through space and living in the red planet.

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The spacecraft will launch in 2023 in route to planet Mars with four astronauts. I really thought this was a April’s Fool joke due to the insanity you will learn now, but it is for real. The unbelievable truth about this Mars One colonization project is that whoever wishes to volunteer must agree and understand this is a [One-Way] trip. There’s no plans to return back to planet Earth. The spacecraft is designed so. Hopefully, there are enough Supply Depots to endure the harsh conditions on the red planet.

Road Map

In 2014, Mars One plans to begin development of a communications satellite that will be set in orbit around Mars to facilitate broadcasting. Astronauts will have access to the internet with a six minute delay up to 22 minutes delay. Partially owned by Mars One, Interplanetary Media Group (IMG) plans to sell the broadcast rights (in advance) to raise funds for the project. IMG will televise the training, interplanetary trip, Mars landing and eventual living and experiences of the astronauts on planet Mars as a Reality Show.

And you thought the Survival reality show was harsh …

2014 will also be the year when Mars One begins Supply development. The Supply cargo will be launched into space on January 2016 containing 2500 kilograms of spare parts, solar photovoltaic panels, and general supplies. It is expected to land on the Mars outpost on October 2016.

A Mars Rover will be launched in 2018. It will explore and pinpoint the best landing spot for the 2023 first Human-boarded vessel. Mars One plans to video stream and broadcast the Rover exploration 24/7/365 via the Mars-orbiting Communication Satellite.

“In 2021 all the components of the settlement reach their destination in six separate landers. Two living units, two life support units, a second supply unit, and another rover arrive on Mars. The two rovers take all components to the settlement location and prepare for the arrival of Mars Team One, the first humans on Mars. A second video stream will be broadcast to Earth 24/7/365.”

“All water, oxygen and atmosphere production will be ready by early 2022, which is when the Earth crew is granted the go-for-launch of Mars Team One. Each component of the Mars transit vehicle is launched into a low Earth orbit and linked. In September history is made as the first four astronauts are launched on their journey to the Red Planet. Every part of this adventure will be broadcast to Earth 24/7/365.”

“The Mars Team One astronauts land in 2023 – the first humans to set foot on Mars! Once settled in, their first tasks include installing the connecting tubes between the individual capsules, configuring and activating the food production units, and assembling the remaining solar photovoltaic panels. Their epic exploration of Mars, their new home planet begins, with everyone on Earth engaged in the 24/7/365 broadcast. A few weeks later, five cargo missions arrive, bringing additional living units, life support units, and a third rover.”

“In June of 2025 Mars Team Two the second crew of four astronauts lands. They are received by their predecessors who have completed the construction of the settlement. As successive Mars One Teams arrive, the settlement will grow in its capacity for scientific research, experiments, and exploration of Mars, with a minimum of four high definition video streams providing viewers on Earth with 24/7/365 engagement.”

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Future Expansion

A new group of four astronauts will land on Mars every two years, steadily increasing the settlement’s size. Eventually, a living unit will be built from local materials, large enough to grow trees. As more astronauts arrive, the creativity applied to settlement expansion will certainly give way to ideas and innovation that we cannot conceive now. But we can expect the human spirit to continue to persevere, to even thrive in this challenging environment.

Press Conference: April 22

Mars One will hold a press conference in New York City this upcoming Monday, April 22 at noon. There will be a live stream (embed below) of their plans and volunteer astronaut trainee application process. They plan to have a live Q&A onsite and via Twitter.

Applicants must be age 18 or older. Have an excellent health condition, and eye vision. Checkout the qualifications to apply for this astronaut training position at the Mars One website.

      “On Monday 22nd April 2013, Mars One will make an important announcement about its astronaut selection program at a press conference in New York.

      The briefing will be moderated by Emily Lakdawalla, Senior Editor at the Planetary Society. The panel will include:
      Bas Lansdorp, Co-Founder and CEO, Mars One
      Gerard ‘t Hooft, Nobel laureate and Ambassador of Mars One
      Norbert Kraft, Chief Medical Officer, Mars One
      Grant Anderson, Sr. VP Operations, Chief Engineer and Co-Founder, Paragon Space Development Corporation
      Bryan Versteeg, Mission Concept Artist, Mars One

      You can be a part of the Q&A by sending us your questions and opinions via Twitter by using the hashtag #MarsOneLaunch.