Living on Mars 1. Facts of Mars ■ 140 million miles away ■ Beautiful

Living on Mars
   Good morning, everyone. How would you feel about living out the rest of your life on the planet Mars? After all, it’s a mere 140 million miles away and has lots of beautiful red dust to enjoy. What’s more, scientists’ recent discovery of running water there means you wouldn’t even have to go thirsty.
   So, you’re tempted? The thing is, if you fancy a future on the red planet, you’re not alone. When the Mars One project asked for volunteers to make a oneway trip with them, over 200, 000 people applied.
   What is Mars One? It’s an organisation with the goal of creating a "permanent human settlement" on Mars. The Dutch not-for-profit body believes that establishing a colony on the planet is the "next giant leap for mankind", and that it will help us understand the solar system and inspire generations to come.
   Their ambitious project has attracted both worldwide attention and heavy criticism. Scientists have questioned the technical feasibility and large questions remain about the ethics and funding of the project. But Mars One are adamant and they can overcome all the obstacles in their way.
   So, what about those 200, 000 applicants? Well, that number has now been whittled down to 100, and this in turn will be reduced to 24 after a stringent selection process. This will involve filmed interviews, group activities and a survival challenge in a mocked-up Martian environment, before successful candidates train for the mission itself.
   So what’s the plan? And what’s the timeline? According to Mars One’s website, if everything goes according to the script:
   By 2016 they will have selected final crew and training for the mission. Mars One says this will not only test the group’s ability to "deal with prolonged periods of time in a remote location" but also it will teach them medical procedures and enable them to grow their own food.
   Between 2020-2025, unmanned spacecraft will land on Mars and prepare a base for the human crew. A rover will scout the planet for a suitable home. And life support units will create an atmosphere suitable for life. By the time the first crew set off, this technology "will have produced a breathable atmosphere of 0.7 bar pressure, 3000 litres of water, and 240 kg of oxygen".
   This first group of 12 astronauts will themselves have completed training by 2026, and will make the journey to Mars that year, landing in 2027. A second group of 12 is scheduled to depart in 2028. Time will tell if the project will be a success. But for R. Daniel Golden and Yari Rodriguez, a trip to Mars might even be a romantic destination. In an interview with American broadcaster WGBH, the couple revealed that they had both been selected among the final 100 applicants, and they hoped they could make the cut and continue their life together as astronauts on Mars. If that happens, could we even see the first ever ’Martian’ baby?
   That’s all for today’s program of Future Life. See you next Monday!