For three Singaporeans, the term ‘out of this world’ might become a reality sooner than expected.
Choo Peng Hong, Roy Chan, and Robinson are three of the 1,058 shortlisted out of 200,000 online applications to travel to Mars as part of Mars One.
As part of the application process, each potential participant had to submit their general information, a motivational letter, resume and one-minute video to justify their selection.
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Mars One’s vision is to establish a permanent human settlement on Mars. Crews of four will depart every two years, starting in 2024. Its first unmanned mission will be launched in 2018. Out of the 1,058 currently shortlisted, only six groups of four astronauts will be selected to undergo eight years of intensive and extensive training, which will also be their full paid job. Throughout the training sessions, those who are unable to prove themselves may be booted out. The trainings consist of three aspects: group, personal and technical.
According to Mars One, training will continue until the launch in 2024. The group’s ability to deal with prolonged periods of time in a remote location is the most important part of their training. They learn to repair components of the habitat and rover, train in medical procedures and learn to grow their own food in the habitat.
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After the training, the global community will get to vote on which of the first group of four to be shuttled to Mars. The highlights of the project will also be broadcast around the world.
Choo, Pao and Robinson are some of the few people in the world who has a real chance of living on Mars. If they manage to get through the program, they will be staying in an astronaut’s cabin on Mars. The cabin contains a bedroom, a working area, a living room and a plant production unit.
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According to his application, Choo Peng Hong is currently an Adventure Course Centre Manager. Choo is 39 years old and enjoys playing computer games, with a preference in City and Civilisation building games. Roy Chan on the other hand, is currently working as a lecturer at a local Polytechnic in Singapore, teaching Game Design. 53-year-old Robinson is the eldest among them and has three kids.
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The United States has the higher number of candidates shortlisted in the second round with 297 applicants. 282 selected applicants are from Europe, 218 from Asia, 52 from Russia and 62 from India. A total of 107 countries have candidates in the second round, with a gender split of around 55 percent male and 45 percent female.
So will they manage to go through the subsequent rounds of the selection process and carry the Singapore flag to Mars? We certainly hope so!
Oh and one more thing, this is a one way trip. At least for now.
Original story by: Vulcan Post
