Some time ago, a project was launched Mars One. Its purpose is to create a human settlement on Mars. And, for the astronauts is no option to return to Earth.

This year, representatives of Mars One project began with the selection of candidates for a flight to Mars. Total organizers spent about 200 thousand applications, of which only 1,058 were selected persons. They represent 107 different countries. In the second round of selection included 297 people from the U.S., 62 – from India, 52 – from Russia. Among the candidates, men constitute 55% of women – 45%. Throughout 2014-2015, the selection will continue, and on the number of applicants will be only a few dozen people. But this selection of the best candidates will not end. In 2025, Mars is planned to send a small group of astronauts, consisting of 4 people. This will be preceded by several preliminary shipments transport ships with residential units and the necessary equipment.

Note Mars One project on private colonization of Mars is some skepticism. This is mainly due to the intention of organizing a television show of the conquest of the red planet. The whole process is planned to be televised. Currently, negotiations are underway with several studios.

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The Dutch team Mars One, who became famous thanks to his project to colonize Mars One Mars, now reported the conclusion of partnership agreements with companies Lockheed Martin and SSTL.

Joint efforts of the above companies are going in 2018 to send to Mars first private spaceship. Instead of running the team of astronauts, in accordance with the ultimate goal, this mission is presented as proof-of-concept, and probably as a way to draw attention to the project Mars One.

Lockheed Martin’s and SSTL in this collaboration will work with Mars One on different projects. The company Lockheed Martin will develop a modified lander Phoenix, which was sent to Mars in 2007. An updated version of Phoenix is ​​designed for in-depth study of the Martian soil, getting water from the Martian soil and test the deployment of solar panels. The spacecraft is also planning to install a camera that will broadcast streaming video in real time on Earth. Broadcast video will be assigned to the relay satellite, which is to create a company SSTL. Executive Director of Mars One Bas Lansdorp said that according to estimates satellite will last at least two years.

Before starting the lander Mars One intends to hold a competition among high school students in order to find ideas for the mission. Top of the ideas will be selected as the main tasks of the mission. Bas Lansdorp also promises to launch a campaign on Indiegogo, to allow people to vote in favor of the main tasks of the mission.

Joint project of Mars One Team, Lockheed Martin and SSTL signals big leap forward in the commercial spaceflight industry over the next few years, but it is difficult to say how good such ambitious long-term plans for Mars One Team.

Earlier, Mr. Lansdorp expected that the desire to get a one way ticket to Mars Mars One program will show more than 1 million people, and thanks to a small entrance fee of problems with financing the project will not arise. However, acceptance of applications ended on 31 August, and still want to be much less than expected – a little more than 200 thousand over the next two years, 200 thousand of these will be selected for training from 24 to 40 people. However, on Mars in 2025 will fly only a team of four. Earlier, it was planned that the flight will take place two years earlier.

By the way, plans for Mars One, Lockheed Martin and SSTL currently exist only on paper. Thus the cost of the project is $ 332 thousand if in the near future will be able to find investors, the company will begin the next stage – the development and launch of the satellite system and the comic.

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