Final Mars One Numbers Are In, Over 200,000 People Applied

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Final Mars One Numbers Are In, Over 200,000 People Applied

Posted by samzenpus on Monday September 9, 2013 @06:54AM from the go-to-mars dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The first round of the Mars One Astronaut Selection Program has now closed for applications. In the 5 month application period, Mars One received interest from 202,586 people from around the world, wanting to be amongst the first human settlers on Mars."

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Salaried? by kaka.mala.vachva · 2013-09-09 07:03 · Score: 5, Insightful

Will these people get paid for the seven years they train? I'm in a pessimistic mood today, so I'm assuming that they will not actually reach Mars - just wondering what they will get for the seven years they put in.
Of course the application wasn't free by ModernGeek · 2013-09-09 07:06 · Score: 5, Insightful

I believe the application fee was $35, so they have already raised a whopping $7 million that I assume will be leveraged for more publicity stunts in raising further money for the mission.

The main speciality of the Mars One project is fundraising and public relations, not space travel.

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202586 by plopez · 2013-09-09 07:07 · Score: 5, Insightful

Lemmings.

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1. Re:202586 by Calydor · 2013-09-09 07:33 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  I'm pretty sure that being picked as one of the lucky few does not suddenly rob you of the right to say you've changed your mind when you see the rocket put together by the cheap brand of duct tape. On the other hand, this publicity stunt might actually make people in power realize that there are people out there who will volunteer despite the risk, and that maybe it's worth a try after all.
  
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Modern era Mayflower by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-09 07:08 · Score: 5, Insightful

Here's why people apply and who applies: Some do it for the 15 minutes of fame, surely, but many others are serious about it. They know the risk, they know it's a one-way ticket, but their lives are going nowhere on this planet, they've got nothing to lose and this may be just the ticket for them to do something useful for humanity.
Others may have a successful life already but they don't think in terms of "me" and "my" but in terms of humanity and its long-term goals over several generations.
And even if the mission fails, one learns from mistakes and at least they've done something to improve the next mission's chances. Both categories of applicants are real heroes. Live or die.
Re:Great, now examine them... by spleendamage · 2013-09-09 07:36 · Score: 5, Funny

Just find someone who is addicted to single-player turn-based strategy computer games. They'd complain about the trip being too short.
Like ... my friend, not me.
Re:Great, now examine them... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-09 08:05 · Score: 5, Funny

Six dollars of game, $400 of laptop, and a couple spare solar fins on the ship to keep the battery charged.
Day 422: I seem to be the only Mars One colonist to notice that we have actually landed on Mars. I found one of the old Mars Rovers and have taken to behaving as if it was a stubborn pet dog to stay sane. While my garden is growing almost as well as the test garden did on earth, I have no idea where the other colonists manage to keep finding the Mountain Dew and beef jerky that provides their sustenance.