Mars One receives first funding for 2023 manned mission to Mars

1st September 2012

Earlier this year, we reported on Mars One - a Dutch project with the ambitious goal of sending humans to Mars and establishing a base by 2023. In a press release this week, the company has announced the receipt of its first funding, through sponsorship deals with at least six companies.

These sponsors include Byte Internet (a Dutch Internet/webhosting provider); Dejan SEO (an Australia-based search engine optimisation firm); VBC Notarissen (a Dutch lawfirm); New-Energy.tv (an independent Dutch web station that focuses on energy and climate); and MeetIn (a Dutch consulting company).

Bas Lansdorp, founder and President of Mars-One: “Receipt of initial sponsorship marks the next step to humans setting foot on Mars. A little more than a year ago we embarked down this path, calling upon industry experts to share in our bold dream. Today, we have moved from a technical plan into the first stage of funding, giving our dream a foundation in reality.”

With conceptual and initial technical development already complete, the Mars One team now intends to enable growth of its technical and management staff. From mid-2013, funding will be generated through a "growing, global media event" built around the selection and training of astronauts for the manned mission. A replica of the settlement will be built on Earth for training purposes.

Mary Roach, author of Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void, states: “The Mars One concept takes [colonising Mars] to another level by adding an element of global audience participation. Yet at their core, the Mars One team are aerospace professionals with the background and contacts to pull together the technical aspects of the mission.”

Like many of our readers, we remain highly skeptical of this venture. We will, of course, keep you updated on its progress.

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