South Africans part of Mars 100

It seems like the plot of a science fiction novel, or perhaps a Star Trek origin story: A small group of humans selected from across the world, to begin a settlement on Mars.

Check the date. It’s not April 1st, and the Mars One project has just released its shortlist of 100 candidates, narrowed down from a pool of more than 200 000 applicants, who are willing to get on a one-way mission off the planet.

The Netherlands-based Mars One foundation was founded in 2011 as a private, non-governmental foundation. According to its statement, Mars One aims to establish “permanent human life on Mars”.

Mars One put out the call for volunteers to apply in 2013 and released the shortlist early this week. The would-be ‘astronauts’ are set to begin training this year, with the aim of sending a manned mission to Mars in 2024. Here’s the mission roadmap.

.@PaulSalopek reaches Milestone 17, in Wadi Rum, #Jordan: http://t.co/63qzRja6CY#EdenWalkpic.twitter.com/6D2fP7z2z9

— Out of Eden (@outofedenwalk) 11 January 2014

Mars One has also thrown down the gauntlet to universities to help develop the technologies that will be taken to the red planet on an unmanned mission in 2018.

Here is what Mars One believes life will be like for the would-be Martians.

If you love planet-gazing (though not enough to take a one-way trip to Mars), make a booking for one of Maropeng’s amazing star gazing evenings.