SCREEN AFRICA EXCLUSIVE: Mars One is an ambitious global project whose mission objective is to establish a human settlement on planet mars, funded through a multi-year reality TV show that would chronicle Mars exploration from the suspense of selecting astronauts, to the drama of getting them ready, to boarding the spaceship, taking off and establishing a permanent outpost on Mars.
In an exclusive interview with Ian Dormer, Screen Africa’s technology journalist, co-founder and CEO of the Mars One project, Bas Lansdorp, said: “Mars One wants to be a “humankind mission to Mars’, with people from four different continents leaving for Mars in 2022. So far the awareness in Africa and South America has been somewhat low, and it would be great if we could welcome more applicants from these continents, particularly from South Africa.’
The Mars One application process closes at the end of August 2013. Some 78 000 people from around the world have already applied so far.
Lansdorp also announced the release of an independent documentary, One Way Astronaut, which is now available for pay-per-view and download via www.onewayastronaut.com. It is a film based on the vision behind the Mars One mission and follows the stories of several aspiring astronauts.
The 54-minute film is a product from the studios of Tetteroo Media. Peter Tetteroo, director and producer said: “The Mars One project is a ground-breaking concept of high journalistic value. Worldwide interest in the Mars One mission is a tell-tale of our society today and its hopes for itself.”
In the film Stephan, Sara, Henri and Beatriz, like tens of thousands of applicants for the Mars One project from around the world, say they are willing to spend the rest of their lives on the red planet. Space experts answer questions about the likelihood of Mars One succeeding and discuss the kind of risks the astronauts will be facing.
Half of all revenues generated from the sale of the documentary will be donated to the Mars One Foundation.
Lansdorp concluded: “One Way Astronaut as a film has a life affirming quality to it. It reflects the unwavering dedication and the sense of purpose to be found in an average Mars One applicant. It is a must-watch for anyone wondering why someone would leave everything behind to go to new planet.’
