Organizers of an ambitious private mission to colonize Mars say they have whittled 200,000 applicants down to just over 1,000 -- including 52 Russians -- and that they hope to select the final team with the help of a reality TV show.
Mars One, the Dutch-based nonprofit foundation behind the mission, said it hopes to sell the rights to film training to help fund part of the $6 billion cost of the mission, due to begin in 2024.
Mars One said candidates will be called in for "rigorous simulations" to test their physical and emotional capabilities.
The six-month trip to Mars is intended to be a one-way ticket.
Organizers have signed a $250,000 contract with Lockheed Martin to build a concept landing module that would be sent on a 2018 unmanned test flight.
Mars One, the Dutch-based nonprofit foundation behind the mission, said it hopes to sell the rights to film training to help fund part of the $6 billion cost of the mission, due to begin in 2024.
Mars One said candidates will be called in for "rigorous simulations" to test their physical and emotional capabilities.
The six-month trip to Mars is intended to be a one-way ticket.
Organizers have signed a $250,000 contract with Lockheed Martin to build a concept landing module that would be sent on a 2018 unmanned test flight.