Mars One will conduct a global search to find the best candidates for the first human mission to Mars. The combined skill set of each astronaut team member must cover a very wide range of disciplines. The astronauts must be intelligent, creative, psychologically stable and physically healthy. On this page, Mars One offers a brief introduction to the basics of our astronaut selection process.
In spaceflight missions, the primary personal attributes of a successful astronaut are emotional and psychological stability, supported by personal drive and motivation. This is the foundation upon a mission must be built, where human lives are at risk with each flight.
Once on Mars, there are no means to return to Earth. Mars is home. A grounded, deep sense of purpose will help each astronaut maintain his or her psychological stability and focus as they work together toward a shared and better future.
Mars One cannot stress enough the importance of an applicant’s capacity for self-reflection. Without this essential foundation, the five key characteristics listed below cannot be utilized to the fullest potential.
Characteristic | Practical Applications |
Resiliency |
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Adaptability |
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Curiosity |
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Ability to Trust |
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Creativity / Resourcefulness |
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The astronaut selection program will be open for applicants who are 18 years or older. This is the age by which children become legal adults in most countries in the world. Mars One believes it is important that applicants who enter the astronaut selection program are capable of entering into a legal contract without the supervision of others.
There is not an upper age limit to apply for the astronaut selection program. If the applicant enjoys good health and he or she has all the other characteristics needed for the mission he or she has what it takes to apply.
In general, normal medical and physiological health standards will be used. These standards are derived from evidence-based medicine, verified from clinical studies.
Mars One accepts applicants from any country in the world.
The official language, will be English. It is possible however, to enter the selection program without an extensive knowledge of English. Applicants can apply in one of the 11 most used languages on Internet: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Russian, Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, Korean, Indonesian, Japanese. As applicants progress through the selection procedure, requirements on their English skills will increase. For the second round of the selection program, selected applicants will meet a Mars One selection committee for an interview. For this interview, A2 English level (elementary) will be essential. Please check CEFR to get a good sense of what language abilities are expected.
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