There will be life on Mars: Mission to create first human colony by 2023 - and it will be filmed for reality TV show

  • Seven-month mission to be financed by reality show on Earth
  • By 2033, there will be 20 people living on Mars
  • Mission backed by co-creator of Big Brother and Nobel-winning physicists
  • Reality show on Earth will finance mission

By Rob Waugh

Published: | Updated:

An independent space launch company aims to put four people on Mars by April 2023 - and the team will not be coming back.

Mars One claims that a new crew of four will join every two years as the explorers build their settlement, and that by 2033 there will be 20 people living on Mars.

The company has been in talks with independent space suppliers such as Space X, which recently launched the first privately owned rocket to the Space Station.

Mars One claims that a new crew of four will join every two years as the explorers build their settlement, and that by 2033 there will be 20 people living on Mars

Mars One claims that a new crew of four will join every two years as the explorers build their settlement, and that by 2033 there will be 20 people living on Mars


The Dutch company is backed by a Nobel prize winning physicist, Gerard 't Hooft - and also by Paul Romer, co-creator of Big Brother

The Dutch company is backed by a Nobel prize winning physicist, Gerard 't Hooft (pictured) - and also by Paul Romer, co-creator of Big Brother

The Dutch company is backed by a Nobel prize winning physicist, Gerard 't Hooft - and also by Paul Romer, co-creator of Big Brother.

The company aims to start training astronauts next year - and will turn the selection and training programme into a 'media event' similar to a reality show.

'We see this as a journey that belongs to us all, and it is for this reason that we will make every step one that we take together,' says the company.

'This will also be our way to finance the mission: the mission to Mars will be the biggest media event ever!

'The entire world will be able to watch and help with decisions as the teams of settlers are selected, follow their extensive training and preparation for the mission and of course observe their settling on Mars once arrived. The emigrated astronauts will share their experiences with us as they build their new home, conduct experiments and explore Mars.'

Mars One's plan has been in development since 2011.

Mars One claims that a new crew of four will join every two years as the explorers build their settlement, and that by 2033 there will be 20 people living on Mars

The journey to Mars will take seven months, says the Dutch company, and the entire process will be televised in a Big Brother-style reality show

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Big Brother creator Römer says, 'When the Mars One founders first approached me, asking whether they could speak to me about a mission to Mars, my first response was 'these people are crazy. What can they do that NASA’s can’t?'

'That conversation made it clear to me, however. They think so creatively, and outside of the box and the concept of a ‘one-way’ mission is both outrageous and exciting. These aspects are what brought me to the idea of making the mission the biggest media event in the world. Reality meets talent show with no ending and the whole world watching. Now there’s a pitch!'

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