Mars One recently announced that they are officially taking applications worldwide. As reported last February, it’s open to anyone and everyone. That’s right, no professional or academic requirements. Mars One is looking for people who are mature, interesting, physically/mentally healthy, that also exhibit five key character traits; resiliency, adaptability, curiosity, ability to trust others, and creativity / resourcefulness. “We are very excited about launching the selection program. Round One is where we open the doors to Mars for everyone on Earth. This is an international mission and it is very important for the project that anyone anywhere can ask themselves: Do I want this? Am I ready for this? If the answer is yes then we want to hear from you,” said co-founder Bas Lansdorp.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Mars One Foundation, it is a not-for-profit organization committed to sending the first manned mission to Mars by 2023. It will be a one-way trip that establishes a permanent settlement for other pioneers to continue to join every two years. The Mars One selection procedure consists of four rounds. The first round is an online application process that runs until August 31^st 2013. There will be a small admin fee based on your country’s per capita GDP. The fee allows the program to be accessible to applicants from any country, and reduces the number of fake or uncommitted participants. Applicants are given the option to publicly share and promote their application page. Being likable and having public support will end up being the deciding factor on who gets to be the first to go. The final round of the selection process will be based on an audience vote, so it’s up to the candidates to inspire online fans. Why is that? Well, because once the ship launches it will become a worldwide reality show. Yes the plan for funding this multi-billion dollar project is to sell advertising spots for a Martian version of “Survivor.” It does seem to take some of the integrity away from the project, but it’s easier to get money from Coca-Cola than wait on Governments to vote for funding. Regardless of how it’s funded the success of this project will become one of the greatest human achievements ever. Lansdorp states, "In 1000 years, everyone on Earth will still remember who the first humans on Mars were, just like Neil Armstrong has etched in our memories forever. This makes the selection of the first crew to a different planet a very important election; in my opinion more important than most elections. We hope the whole world will join Mars One in our democratic search of the envoys of mankind to Mars”.