Reality TV goes to space: 1000 chosen for televised Mars trip

A private Mars colonisation mission, which is partly funded by a reality TV show, has chosen 1,000 people for televised Mars trip.

16:17 03 January 2014

Just when you think that reality shows are way over the top, it has been announced that a new show will be sending people for a televised trip to Mars. There are more than 1,000 candidates who have been chosen to train for a private Mars colonisation mission which is partly funded by a reality TV show.

The trainees will be whittled down to just 24. Mars One, the Dutch-based non-profit group behind the mission, said that the 24 people will be sent over six launches starting in 2024.

Although the mission sounds too good to be true, it does come with a catch; the space-bound settlers will be on a one-way ticket to Mars. Organisers said that costs are too high to contemplate a return trip.

Mars One said that the selected would-be emigrants to the red planet have met the criteria which include “indomitable spirit”, “good judgement”, “a good sense of play”, are disease and drug-free and English-speaking.

Organisation co-founder Bas Landsdorp, added: “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.”