How could a mission send 20 people to Mars and create a permanent colony there within the next ten year? And all this for $6 billion? Many laypeople are asking this question, which most scientists consider a big scam or pipe dream. Bas Lansdorp, Mars One’s CEO has tried to respond to criticisms in media outlets and on TV about Mars One and its $6 billion budget. He insists that Mars One can be done. It is an honorable and feasible project. He claims he has the ability to send 20 people and establish a permanent colony on Mars for $6 billion. Critics claim the entire idea is absurd and point out NASA’s estimates of as much as $100 trillion to finish such a project. This will not happen in the next ten year. The criticisms of the press over the last week have been sourced solely from one Elmo Stay article, Mr. Landsdorp explained. Her article is described as “sensational” and lacking actual facts by Landsdorp. Elmo Keep of Medium’s Matter blog spoke to Dr. Joseph Roche (an ex-NASA researcher) who was a former NASA researcher. There were several flaws in his mission, he said. Dr. Roche explained that candidates can earn points in order to move up the ladder of ‘likelihood to be selected’. You can earn more points if you purchase lots of Mars One merchandise. The same applies if all or part of your interview fee is donated to the mission planners. Although he welcomes constructive criticism as part of his mission improvement efforts, Mr. Lansdorp stated in an interview that Ms. Keep’s last week report contained many things that are simply ‘not true’. Bas Lansdorp claims recent criticisms were based on incorrect data. Lansdorp says the selection process has been rigorous. Some journalists have commented that it was becoming a “cult” to raise money from the gullible. Lansdorp emphasizes that some candidates were not selected for the 20, shortlist, while others gave nothing at all. All of this information can be found on Mars One’s website. Candidates are encouraged to give interview money, and their own money, if desired. He insisted, however that they had the final say. Mars One stated that 200,000 candidates applied to be sent to Mars. However, Ms. Keeps claimed that there were 2 ,700.. According to Mr. Lansdorp, she obtained the information via an incorrect NBC News article. This has been removed. Concerning the applicants, Mr. Lansdorp stated that Elmo was the first journalist to be granted access to the 200,000 application list. It was not something she was interested in. Critics from all walks of the globe said that the selection process was far too difficult. They were similar to NASA’s medical screenings used in selecting astronauts. The cost of Mars One estimates that the costs for transporting 20 humans from Earth to Mars and building a colony on Mars will be $6 billion. He pointed out that NASA estimates are $30 trillion and includes the return of astronauts to Earth. This is why Mars One is more affordable – no return-voyage cost. It is however a mystery how the $6 billion cost of setting up infrastructure to support a permanent colony in hostile environments of Mars One could be possible. This includes both the Mars One spacecraft that will take them there and the scouting probe which should launch from Earth in 2018.. It is still unknown what the 2018 robotic-scouting mission will look like. This mission is still three years away and there have been no indications that the organisation has spoken with suppliers or aerospace companies about it. Q&A with Mars One Mission. Video
