The latest on the Mars One application drive: Private Mars Colony Project Undaunted by Application Shortfall – Space.com.
Category Archives: Mars
Mars One – update on applications
The Mars One organization has been inviting applications for the first crew to initiate settlement of the Red Planet (see their latest Road map). This week they released an update on the response so far:
- Mars One updates figures, but actual number of applicants still unclear – NewSpace Journal
- Deadline approaching: Ten days remain to join aspiring Martians from 140 countries – Mars One
Amersfoort, 21st August 2013 – With ten days left before the end of its online application program, Mars One has received interest from more than 165,000 people hoping to be the first humans on Mars. The Mars One Application Program is turning out to be the most desired job vacancy in the world. People from over 140 countries are looking towards the final frontier and envisioning their life on another planet.
USA is at the top of the list of countries where most applicant are from– 23% of all applicants being Americans, followed by China, Brazil, India, Russia, UK, Mexico, Canada, Spain and the Philippines.
Bas Lansdorp, CEO and co-founder of Mars One said: “The cultural diversity of Mars One applicants reflects the international nature of this project and ultimately makes it humanity’s mission to Mars.”
Dr. Norbert Kraft, Chief Medical Officer of Mars One said: “The response to the first round of the Astronaut Selection Program has been tremendous. We now have a large group of applicants from where we can start our search. Finding the best crews of qualified and compatible individuals is crucial to the success of our mission.”
Mars One will continue to accept online applications until 31st of August 2013. Anyone over the age of 18 considering themselves qualified should enter the program by applying online at apply.mars-one.com.
Dr. Kraft encourages potential applicants: “It’s easily assumed that Mars One is only looking for pilots and engineers. Don’t disqualify yourself too easily. If you wish to be a Mars pioneer despite of the risks and challenges that come with this job, you’re already more qualified than most people on this planet. It’s most important that you are healthy and smart and have the right mindset. Mars One will teach you the skills you need in the years of training ahead.”
Completed applications will be screened by a team of Mars One experts. They will select the individuals who will pass to the next round of the Selection Program.
NASA JPL Curiosity Rover report: On the road to Mount Sharp
Here is the latest Curiosity Rover Report: “The Odometer Keeps Turning”
Video: Review of Curiosity rover’s first year on Mars
JPL’s Ashwin Vasavada, deputy project scientist for the Mars Science Laboratory/Curiosity mission, gives a review of Curiosity’s first year on Mars:
Mars Society & Inspiration Mars announce student design contest with $21,000 in prizes
An announcement from the Mars Society and Inspiration Mars:
Mars Society Launches International Student Design Competition
Students to propose design concepts for Inspiration Mars mission
(BOULDER, Colo.) – Today during the 16th Annual International Mars Society Convention, the Mars Society announced the launch of an international engineering competition for student teams to propose design concepts for the architecture of the Inspiration Mars mission. The contest is open to university engineering student teams from anywhere in the world.
Inspiration Mars Executive Director Dennis Tito and Program Manager Taber MacCallum were present for the announcement. “Inspiration Mars is looking for the most creative ideas from engineers all over the world,” said Tito. “Furthermore, we want to engage the explorers of tomorrow with a real and exciting mission, and demonstrate what a powerful force space exploration can be in inspiring young people to develop their talent. This contest will accomplish both of those objectives.”
The requirement is to design a two-person Mars flyby mission for 2018 as cheaply, safely and simply as possible. All other design variables are open.
Alumni, professors and other university staff may participate as well, but the teams must be predominantly composed of and led by students. All competition presentations must be completed exclusively by students. Teams will be required to submit their design reports in writing by March 15, 2014. From there, a down-select will occur with the top 10 finalist teams invited to present and defend their designs before a panel of six judges chosen (two each) by the Mars Society, Inspiration Mars and NASA. The presentations will take place during a public event at NASA Ames Research Center in April 2014.
Designs will be evaluated using a scoring system, allocating a maximum of 30 points for cost, 30 points for technical quality of the design, 20 points for operational simplicity and 20 points for schedule with a maximum total of 100 points. The first place team will receive a prize of $10,000, an all-expenses paid trip to the 2014 International Mars Society Convention and a trophy to be presented by Dennis Tito at that event. Prizes of $5,000, $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 will also be awarded for second through fifth place.
All designs submitted will be published, and Inspiration Mars will be given non-exclusive rights to make use of any ideas contained therein.
Commenting on the contest, Mars Society President Dr. Robert Zubrin said, “The Mars Society is delighted to lead this effort. This contest will provide an opportunity for legions of young engineers to directly contribute their talent to this breakthrough project to open the space frontier.”
Further information about the Mars Society may be found at www.marssociety.org.
Further information about Inspiration Mars may be found at http://www.inspirationmars.org.