Candidates for privately-funded Mars One Mission whittled down to 100

World Today

A Dutch-based foundation looking for earthlings to colonize Mars has narrowed down the number of hopefuls from more than 200,000 to just 100 candidates, including 50 men and 50 women from 35 countries. CCTV’s reporter Richard Bestic reported this story from London.

The candidates for this privately-funded space adventure are 21st century pilgrims en route to colonizing a new world and facing a life of potentially lethal challenges — And they will also be a part of a reality TV show.

Astrophysicist Maggie Lieu is writing a PhD dissertation on cosmic giants at the University of Birmingham in the U.K.

The bilingual 24-year-old, who is fluent in Chinese and English, said her love of science and space make worthwhile the very real risks of a cruel Martian atmosphere.

“It’s not assisted suicide, [because] we’re not definitely going to die when we go up there. Mars One will try their best to make it as safe as possible before we go. It’s not for 10 years’ time, so technology will have advanced tremendously by then,” Mission to Mars finalist Lieu said.

Lieu said she may even have a baby on Mars.

“Because Mars One’s mission is to colonize Mars and we’re sending quite a few people up there, it’s inevitable that one day we will have to reproduce to maintain the society,’ she said.

A promotional video paints an optimistic picture of how life on the red planet might look, but the nature of the enterprise has raised ethical and practical questions of cost and technical competence.

Lieu said she believes the sums and the science add up and she’s determined to go.