Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)
Some of these are questions I have been asked about me or the Mars One mission, and some are just questions I think people should be asking.
Is this thing really possible?
Absolutely. The mission has been developed by some very intelligent people, and has the support of many leaders in aerospace technology and other fields related to the mission. They have spent years working on this. What sets them apart is they have in-writing from various companies exactly what can be done, and how much it will cost. Based on that, the only question now is, will Mars One be able to come up with the 6 billion or more it will take to fund the mission. I believe they can.
You're not coming back?
Nope. Not only do we lack the technology to land on Mars then lift off again (not to mention the fuel costs would grow exponentially), but after spending so much time in zero gravity and in the reduced gravity environment on Mars, your body would no longer be able to support itself on Earth. After so long, it's not just your muscle and bones that become weakened, but your entire physiology adapts to less gravity, and not be able to function properly on Earth.
Why colonize Mars when we have so many problems on Earth?
This mission is about more than just going to Mars. This mission can only be a success if people from all over the world, of all nationalities and beliefs, work together. This can show the world a different way of doing things, and that when we start cooperating instead of fighting, we can accomplish amazing things that no one knew we could. In addition, although the mission only relies on existing technology, in order for the colony to actually grow and thrive, advancements will be necessary. They will need better solar panels, better water filtration methods, even terraforming technologies. These things can be utilized on Earth to create a better world here, as well.
How are the astronauts being chosen?
There are four rounds for applicants. First is the actual applications. For a small fee, anyone aged 18 or older can submit an application that includes personal information, several essay questions evaluating life experiences, and a short video answering three important questions. The second round includes a physical evaluation for health, and an interview for Mars One's selection committee to see what kind of person you are for themselves. The third round consists of challenges. Mars One hasn't said what these will be, but the assumption seems to be things testing people's physical and personal boundaries. In the last round, applicants will have to live in simulated Mars environments in small groups. This will show Mars One exactly who can cut it, and who can't. This event will also be televised, and people will be allowed to vote for their favourites.
People get to vote for who goes to Mars?
Yes and no. Mars One has not exactly been direct or clear about what the voting is for. My understanding is that the voting determines the order in which the colonists get to go, not who Mars One hires as the actual astronauts.
If you don't get voted in, why all the publicity and stuff?
I'm not trying to market myself and make people like me. Everything you see and read is pure, unadulterated me. I want people to get to know me, not convince them to like me. I think that will make it easier for Mars One to gain the viewership and attention they need to fund the mission. People are more invested when they can connect with people on a personal level, so I would encourage every applicant to make every effort to put themselves out there and get noticed, and tell people who you are and what you stand for.
How many people get to go?
It all depends. At the end of the selection rounds, Mars One will select at least 6 groups of four, that's 24 people out of an initial 200,000. Only four people get to go at a time, but Mars One would like to send another 4 every 2 years, until... well, they can't anymore. As long as the funding keeps coming in, Mars One will continue to send people, and re-open applications to recruit more people.
What's with the name?
It's kind of a play on words. Alexander can be shortened to Alex or Lex, so the hyphen implies the interchange between "Alex" and "A Lex."
What is this harmonic convergence thing? Is it important?
Not in the least. At least, not in the sense that astrology thinks it is. Between August 16th and 17th in the year 1987, the Earth, Moon, and Sun, along with the "major planets" (as arbitrarily decided by astrologists) aligned to create a triangular shape, or "triad." (Think Legend of Zelda.) This was supposed to seal the gates of hell, ushering in a new era of peace. Followers of the belief system came together, and tens of thousands of people initiated a collective meditation. Nothing happened of course, but it did bring a lot of people together. I like to talk about it because I was born several days earlier than expected, coming into this world during the event, and now I have applied to one of the greatest missions in human history that hopes to achieve essentially what the Harmonic Convergence was supposed to.
Is this thing really possible?
Absolutely. The mission has been developed by some very intelligent people, and has the support of many leaders in aerospace technology and other fields related to the mission. They have spent years working on this. What sets them apart is they have in-writing from various companies exactly what can be done, and how much it will cost. Based on that, the only question now is, will Mars One be able to come up with the 6 billion or more it will take to fund the mission. I believe they can.
You're not coming back?
Nope. Not only do we lack the technology to land on Mars then lift off again (not to mention the fuel costs would grow exponentially), but after spending so much time in zero gravity and in the reduced gravity environment on Mars, your body would no longer be able to support itself on Earth. After so long, it's not just your muscle and bones that become weakened, but your entire physiology adapts to less gravity, and not be able to function properly on Earth.
Why colonize Mars when we have so many problems on Earth?
This mission is about more than just going to Mars. This mission can only be a success if people from all over the world, of all nationalities and beliefs, work together. This can show the world a different way of doing things, and that when we start cooperating instead of fighting, we can accomplish amazing things that no one knew we could. In addition, although the mission only relies on existing technology, in order for the colony to actually grow and thrive, advancements will be necessary. They will need better solar panels, better water filtration methods, even terraforming technologies. These things can be utilized on Earth to create a better world here, as well.
How are the astronauts being chosen?
There are four rounds for applicants. First is the actual applications. For a small fee, anyone aged 18 or older can submit an application that includes personal information, several essay questions evaluating life experiences, and a short video answering three important questions. The second round includes a physical evaluation for health, and an interview for Mars One's selection committee to see what kind of person you are for themselves. The third round consists of challenges. Mars One hasn't said what these will be, but the assumption seems to be things testing people's physical and personal boundaries. In the last round, applicants will have to live in simulated Mars environments in small groups. This will show Mars One exactly who can cut it, and who can't. This event will also be televised, and people will be allowed to vote for their favourites.
People get to vote for who goes to Mars?
Yes and no. Mars One has not exactly been direct or clear about what the voting is for. My understanding is that the voting determines the order in which the colonists get to go, not who Mars One hires as the actual astronauts.
If you don't get voted in, why all the publicity and stuff?
I'm not trying to market myself and make people like me. Everything you see and read is pure, unadulterated me. I want people to get to know me, not convince them to like me. I think that will make it easier for Mars One to gain the viewership and attention they need to fund the mission. People are more invested when they can connect with people on a personal level, so I would encourage every applicant to make every effort to put themselves out there and get noticed, and tell people who you are and what you stand for.
How many people get to go?
It all depends. At the end of the selection rounds, Mars One will select at least 6 groups of four, that's 24 people out of an initial 200,000. Only four people get to go at a time, but Mars One would like to send another 4 every 2 years, until... well, they can't anymore. As long as the funding keeps coming in, Mars One will continue to send people, and re-open applications to recruit more people.
What's with the name?
It's kind of a play on words. Alexander can be shortened to Alex or Lex, so the hyphen implies the interchange between "Alex" and "A Lex."
What is this harmonic convergence thing? Is it important?
Not in the least. At least, not in the sense that astrology thinks it is. Between August 16th and 17th in the year 1987, the Earth, Moon, and Sun, along with the "major planets" (as arbitrarily decided by astrologists) aligned to create a triangular shape, or "triad." (Think Legend of Zelda.) This was supposed to seal the gates of hell, ushering in a new era of peace. Followers of the belief system came together, and tens of thousands of people initiated a collective meditation. Nothing happened of course, but it did bring a lot of people together. I like to talk about it because I was born several days earlier than expected, coming into this world during the event, and now I have applied to one of the greatest missions in human history that hopes to achieve essentially what the Harmonic Convergence was supposed to.
