The group "Mars One" is apparently accepting applications for people to go to Mars sometime in the next 20 years. MARS. That's so far away. The kicker? Mars One is not planning on anyone making the return trip. Guess it's a one way flight. Here's more from the LA Times:
Mars One made headlines this spring when it began accepting applications for the first round of Mars colonizers. Anyone on the planet over the age of 18 was invited to apply, regardless of whether they had previous experience in engineering, medicine, planetary science or really anything.
Applicants were asked to submit videos in which they explained why they wanted to go to Mars and how they felt about never returning to Earth. (Mars One does not envision sending anyone home.)
They were also asked to describe their sense of humor.
By the time Mars One stopped accepting applications in September, 202,000 people had expressed interest in being among the first humans to step foot on the Red Planet.
Eventually, Mars One will whittle down those applicants to about 40. Those selected will train in groups for seven years. And, if everything goes according to plan, at that time a global audience will vote on which group will go to Mars.
This feels like a scene out of like a "Hunger Games" type of movie, except more futuristic-y. Voting people off the planet? I know they're volunteering, but it's still kind of odd, no? Science be crazy, yo.
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