Science/Tech

Nearly 80,000 People Ready to Migrate to Mars, Applications Soar for Mars One 2023 Trip

By Jennifer Broderick | Update Date: May 09, 2013 09:14 PM EDT

In just 10 short years, a Dutch non-profit plans to establish a human settlement on the planet Mars, and the idea seems appealing to almost 80,000 people from around the globe who have already submitted applications for the one-way trip.

Mars One expect 500,000 or more to sign up by the end of August for what its CEO, Bas Landsorp, has called "the most desired job in history."  The trip to the Red Planet has already garnered applicants from over 120 countries - all within two weeks of its 19-week application period. Most applicants are from the U.S. (17,324), followed by China (10,241) and the U.K. (3,581). Russia, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Argentina and India also boasted a high number of applicants. In the end, Mars One will choose between 28-40 people to send to Mars, according to their website.

In order to apply, there is a $38 fee to apply, and in addition to filling out several online forms, participants must make a short video describing their sense of humor and share why they want to live on Mars. The deadline to submit applications is August 31.

So what exactly will they do when they get to Mars? The organization says that the daily routine on the planet would involve construction work on the colony (installing greenhouses, for example), maintenance of the settlement's systems and research into Mars' climate and geological history-all in an inhospitable environment with masks on so they can breathe and with an average temperature of around -58 degrees Farenheit.

"Applicants we have received come from a very wide range of personalities, professions and ages. This is significant because what we are looking for is not restricted to a particular background. From Round 1 we will take forward the most committed, creative, resilient and motivated applicants," said Dr. Norbert Kraft, Mars One Chief Medical Officer.

Candidates will receive a minimum of eight years training before leaving Earth, the organization says.

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