Friendliness, psychological stability, and resourcefulness are listed as qualifiers for potential colonists.
Unlike every other program in the history of spaceflight, Mars One intends to have an open call for their future colonists – who are scheduled for a 2022 launch and 2023 landing. Beginning in the first half of this year, Mars One will begin that call, starting with the release of a light list of primary qualifications for their colonists. Primary among their qualifications are physical and mental health, but neither experience flying an aircraft nor a university degree in science will be required. All the required training, Mars One says, will be provided during your eight years of employment with the company. You’ll also need to be willing to give up your earthly commitments for, well, forever – it’s a one way trip to Mars. Norbert Kraft, a former NASA official, said that “Gone are the days when bravery and the number of hours flying a supersonic jet were the top criteria … we are more concerned with how well each astronaut works and lives with the others … the ability to be at your best when things are at their worst is what Mars One is looking for.”
The five key characteristics of an astronaut, says Mars One, are resiliency, adaptability, curiosity, ability to trust, and creativity. An astronaut must be at least 18, making for a 28-year-old landing on the red planet, and the upper limit for age has yet to be determined. The key qualification that Mars One emphasizes, however, is that a candidate be capable of intensive self-reflection.
Mars One is a non-profit organization that intends to fund their mars colony by making their entire operation a reality show. Every aspect of the mission, from launch to landing and living on mars, will be a televised and interactive broadcast. It has not been announced when the selection campaign will begin, but Mars One has said “We are working hard to launch our selection campaign as soon as possible, to open the doors to everyone who aspires to do something tremendous in their lifetime.”
Source: Mars One
