View source for Organization:Mars One

{{Short description|Defunct organization and company that promoted Mars colonization}} 
{{Infobox organization
| logo                = Mars One logo.png
| founded             = {{start date and age|2011}}
| founder             = Bas Lansdorp
| type                = Private organization
| status              = Defunct
| purpose             = [[Astronomy:Human mission to Mars|Permanent Mars settlement]]
| location            = Netherlands
| products            = 
| leader_title        = [[Company:CEO|CEO]]
| leader_name         = Bas Lansdorp
| staff               = 4
| staff_year          = 2012
| website             = https://www.mars-one.com
}}

'''Mars One''' was a small private Dutch organization that received money from investors by claiming it would use it to [[Astronomy:Human mission to Mars|land the first humans on Mars]] and leave them there to [[Astronomy:Colonization of Mars|establish a permanent human colony]].<ref name="about">{{cite web|url=http://mars-one.com/en/about-mars-one/about-mars-one |title=About |publisher=Mars One |access-date=6 August 2013}}</ref><ref name="M1-20161207">{{cite news |author=Staff |title=Mars One presents an updated mission roadmap - Amersfoort, December 7, 2016 |url=http://www.mars-one.com/news/press-releases/mars-one-presents-an-updated-mission-roadmap |date=7 December 2016 |work=Mars-one.com |access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2015-02-25/one-way-mission-to-mars|title=One-way Mission to Mars|publisher=NPR: Science|last1=Nnamdi|first1=Kojo|access-date=25 February 2015}}</ref> From its announcement in 2012 to its bankruptcy in early 2019, it is estimated to have received tens of millions of dollars.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://bgr.com/2019/02/11/mars-one-mission-bankrupt-cancelled/|title=The worst Mars mission ever conceived is now dead|author=Mike Wehner|date=11 February 2019|website=BGR|quote="Mars One – which is broken into a confusing mishmash of a non-profit foundation and a for-profit company – gathered tens of millions of dollars from investors who saw promise in the company's goal of creating a permanent Mars settlement. Needless to say, things didn't work out."}}</ref> The organization was not an aerospace company and did not manufacture hardware.<ref name="TechMars"/>

Mars One consisted of two entities: the not-for-profit ''Mars One Foundation'', and the for-profit company ''Mars One Ventures'' which was the controlling stockholder of the for-profit Interplanetary Media Group that also managed the broadcasting rights. The Mars One Foundation, based in the Netherlands, managed the project. The small organization had four employees,<ref name=Fox>[http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2012/07/24/is-mars-one-serious-about-suicide-mission-to-red-planet.html Mars One plans suicide mission to Red Planet for 2023.] 24 June 2012. ''Fox News''. Quote: "Lansdorp says his four-person company will coordinate the launches, but it will work with suppliers for the ship and rockets."</ref> and intended to make profits by selling media (documentaries) about the personnel selection, training and colonization.<ref name=profit>[https://techcentral.co.za/mars-ones-plan-profit-red-planet/79819/ Mars One's plan to profit from the Red Planet]. Prinesha Naido, ''Tech Central''. 26 February 2018.</ref> The first mission was estimated by its CEO Bas Lansdorp to cost about $6 billion  as of the 2010s.<ref name=profit/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/mars-one-interview-with-bas-lansdorp-2013-5|title=78,000 People Have Already Applied for a One-Way Trip To Mars|website=Business Insider }}</ref>

The concept had been criticized by scientists, engineers, and those in the aerospace industry as glossing over logistics and medical concerns, and lacking critical concepts about hardware. The concept had been called a suicide mission by academia, the spaceflight industry, and international news.<ref name=Fox/> On 15 January 2019, a court decision was settled to liquidate the for-profit company, bankrupting it in the process.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://bs.chregister.ch/cr-portal/auszug/auszug.xhtml?uid=CHE-375.837.130 |title=Mars One Ventures AG in Liquidation |website=Handelsregisteramt des Kantons Basel-Stadt |access-date=2019-02-10 |quote=By decision of 15 January 2019, the Civil Court of the City of Basel declared the company bankrupt with effect from 15 January 2019, 3.37 p.m., thus dissolving it. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725151615/https://bs.chregister.ch/cr-portal/auszug/auszug.xhtml?uid=CHE-375.837.130 |archive-date=25 July 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/11/mars-one-is-dead/|title=Mars One is dead|website=Engadget|language=en|access-date=2019-02-11|quote=Speaking to Engadget, Bas Lansdorp said that the Foundation is still operating, but won't be able to act without further investment. Lansdorp declined to give further comment beyond saying that he was working with other parties "to find a solution."}}</ref>

==Origin==

Mars One's original concept included launching a robotic [[Astronomy:Mars landing|Mars lander]] and [[Astronomy:List of Mars orbiters|Mars orbiter]] as early as 2020, to be followed by a human crew of four in 2024, and one in 2026 which would not be returning to Earth. Although the announcement garnered much international publicity, the concept was criticized by scientists, engineers, and people in the aerospace industry.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/08/09/tech/innovation/mars-one-applications/index.html|title=More than 100,000 want to go to Mars and not return, project says |author1=Jennifer Juarez |author2=Elizabeth Landau|work=CNN|access-date=2018-03-18}}</ref> Mars One was said to be very short on funding, lacking critical concepts about hardware, life support, electrical power supply, and was criticized as glossing over logistics, medical concerns, and protection against space radiation.<ref name="iflscience_2015-08-21">[http://www.iflscience.com/space/mars-one-torn-shreds-mit-debate Mars One Torn To Shreds In MIT Debate]. 21 August 2015 by Jonathan O'Callaghan.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nasawatch.com/archives/2015/02/throwing-shade.html|title=Throwing Shade on Mars One|website=NASA Watch|last1=Cowing|first1=Keith|date=23 February 2015 |access-date=10 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/danvergano/mars-aint-never-gonna-happen|title=Mars Missions Are A Scam|website=BuzzFeed|last1=Vergano|first1=Dan|date=23 February 2015 |access-date=10 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/staff/2013/05/if-mars-one-makes-you-skeptical-you-might-be-dead-insidelike-me/|title=If Mars One makes you skeptical, you might be dead inside—like me|website=ars technica|last1=Hutchinson|first1=Lee|date=8 May 2013|access-date=10 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/strange-video-interviews-with-mars-one-finalists-2015-2|title=A new, strangely morbid video profiles 3 people vying to visit Mars – and they seem completely unprepared for the trip|website=Business Insider|last1=Orwig|first1=Jessica|access-date=10 March 2015}}</ref><ref name='MIT CHu'>{{cite web|url=http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2014/technical-feasibility-mars-one-1014|title=Mars One (and done?)|website=MIT News|last1=Chu|first1=Jennifer|date=14 October 2014 |access-date=20 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/astronaut-chris-hadfield-questions-feasibility-mars-one-mission-289160|title=Astronaut Chris Hadfield Questions Feasibility of Mars One Mission|website=Newsweek|last1=Draper|first1=Lucy|access-date=20 March 2015|date=4 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://qz.com/346639/sorry-but-those-mars-volunteers-are-never-getting-off-the-ground/|title=Sorry, but those Mars volunteers are never getting off the ground|website=Quartz|last1=Fernholz|first1=Tim|date=18 February 2015 |access-date=20 March 2015}}</ref><ref name="Day 20152">{{cite news|url=http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2809/1|title=Red planet rumble|last=Day|first=Dwayne|date=17 August 2015|work=The Space Review|access-date=21 August 2015}}</ref> The concept was called a suicide mission in academia, spaceflight, and international news.<ref name=Fox/><ref name='MIT CHu'/><ref name="iflscience_2015-08-21"/>  
 
By February 2015, two conceptual studies were done by contractors.<ref name="roboticworkends">{{cite news| last1=Foust |first1=Jeff| title=Mars One Suspends Work on Robotic Missions| url=http://spacenews.com/mars-one-suspends-work-on-robotic-missions/| work=Space News}}</ref> Despite the criticism and lack of funding, about 2,700 people applied to become one of the 24 finalists "to settle Mars".<ref name=profit/>

==Initial mission concept==
In December 2013, Mars One announced its concept of a robotic precursor mission. Originally scheduled for launch in 2020, the roadmap called for the launch to occur in 2022.<ref>[http://www.mars-one.com/news/press-releases/mars-one-presents-an-updated-mission-roadmap Mars One-  updated mission roadmap].</ref> If funded, the robotic [[Engineering:Lander (spacecraft)|lander]] would be "built by [[Company:Lockheed Martin|Lockheed Martin]] based on the design used for NASA's [[Engineering:Phoenix (spacecraft)|''Phoenix'']] and ''[[Astronomy:InSight|InSight]]'' landers, as well as a communications orbiter built by [[Company:Surrey Satellite Technology|Surrey Satellite Technology]] Ltd."<ref name=nsj20140101>{{cite news| last=Foust| title=Year in Preview: going to the Red Planet requires a lot of green| url=http://www.newspacejournal.com/2014/01/01/year-in-preview-going-to-the-red-planet-requires-a-lot-of-green/| access-date=7 January 2014| newspaper=NewSpace Journal| date=1 January 2014}}</ref> In February 2015, Lockheed Martin and Surrey Satellite Technology confirmed that contracts on the initial study phase begun in late 2013 had run out and additional contracts had not been received for further progress on the robotic missions. Plans were set in motion to raise the {{USD|200 million}} needed to support the initial robotic mission,<ref name=roboticworkends/><ref name=nsj20140101/> but some critics{{who|date=October 2020}} did not find the economic plans to raise money from private investors and exclusive broadcasting rights to be sufficient to support the initial, or follow-on, mission(s).

Mars One selected a second-round pool of astronaut candidates in 2013. Mars One received interest from over 200,000 applicants for the first round. However, as candidate Joseph Roche asserted, the number of initial applicants who completed the application process was only 2,761,<ref name=Elmo/> which Mars One later confirmed via [[Company:YouTube|YouTube]] video.<ref name="youtube.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pVBUKQ2sT0|title=How Were Mars One Candidates Selected?|last=Martian Colonist|date=20 March 2015|access-date=8 June 2016|via=YouTube}}</ref> The second-round pool was whittled down to 705 candidates (418 men and 287 women) in the beginning of May 2014. 353 were removed due to personal considerations.<ref name="second rd">{{cite web |title=705 potential Mars settlers remain in Mars One's astronaut selection process |publisher=Mars-One |url=http://www.mars-one.com/news/press-releases/705-potential-mars-settlers-remain-in-mars-ones-astronaut-selection-process |date=5 May 2014}}</ref> After the medical physical requirement, 660 candidates remained.<ref name="youtube.com"/> The third round of candidate selection concluded in 2015. The remaining 100 candidates, known as The Mars 100, consisted of 50 men and 50 women who were slated to move forward to the next round, where 40 individuals would have been chosen through an interview process.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mars-one.com/news/press-releases/the-mars-100-mars-one-announces-round-three-astronaut-candidates|title=The Mars 100: Mars One Announces Round Three Astronaut Candidates - Press Releases - News - Mars One|website=Mars One|access-date=2018-05-19}}</ref>

On 30 June 2014, it was made public that Mars One was seeking financial investment through a bidding process to send company experiments to Mars. The experiment slots would go to the highest bidder and would include company-related ads, and the opportunity to have the company name on the robotic lander that was proposed to carry the experiments to Mars in 2018.<ref name="NBC20140630">[http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/mars-one-puts-out-call-red-planet-experiments-ads-n143956 ''Mars One Puts Out the Call for Red Planet Experiments (and Ads)''] Alan Boyle, NBC News, 30 June 2014.</ref>
 
In a video posted on 19 March 2015, Lansdorp said that because of delays in funding the robotic precursor mission, the first crew would not set down on Mars until 2027.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/mars-one-colony-project-delays-manned-red-planet-153657202.html|title=Mars One Colony Project Delays Manned Red Planet Mission to 2026|date=21 March 2015 |access-date=8 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="iflscience_2015-08-21"/> Following the criticism reported in ''The Space Review'' in October 2016 about funding mechanisms,<ref name=tsr20161010carberry>{{cite news |last1=Carberry|first1=Chris |last2=Zucker|first2=Rick |url=http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3080/1 |title=Is there a business case for Mars? |work=The Space Review |date=10 October 2016 |access-date=11 October 2016 }}</ref> Mars One created Mars One Ventures.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mars-one.com/investor-relations/investor-news| title=News - Investor relations - Mars One|website=Mars One|access-date=2017-11-13}}</ref> In late 2016 Mars One had changed its first crewed mission date to 2032.<ref>[http://www.geekwire.com/2016/mars-one-says-first-crew-wont-land-red-planet-2032-will-ever/ Dec. 7, 2016 ''Geek Wire'' entry on Mars One]</ref>

===2014 robotic lander===
[[File:Phoenix landing.jpg|thumb|Artist's impression of the NASA ''Phoenix'' spacecraft as it lands on Mars]]
In December 2013, mission concept studies for a robotic Mars lander were contracted with [[Company:Lockheed Martin|Lockheed Martin]] for a demonstration mission concept. It would be based on the design of the successful 2007 [[Organization:National Aeronautics and Space Administration|NASA]] ''[[Engineering:Phoenix (spacecraft)|Phoenix]]'' lander,<ref name=nsj20140101/><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.mars-one.com/images/uploads/MarsOne_PIP.pdf|title=Proposal Information Package|publisher=Mars One|access-date=11 June 2018}}</ref> and provide proof of concept for a subset of the key technologies for a later human settlement on Mars.<ref name=pw20131210>{{cite news|last=Messier|first=Doug|title=Mars One Contracts Lockheed Martin, Surrey Satellite for Mission Concept Studies|url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/12/10/mars-contracts-lockheed-martin-surrey-satellite-lander-concept-studies/|access-date=10 December 2013|newspaper=Parabolic Arc|date=10 December 2013}}</ref> Upon submission of Lockheed Martin's Proposal Information Package,<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Mars One released a Request for Proposals<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|url=http://www.mars-one.com/images/uploads/RFP_Mars-One.pdf|title=Request for Proposals for Payloads for the Mars One 2018 Lander|publisher=Mars One|access-date=8 June 2016}}</ref> for the various payloads on the lander. The total payload mass of 44&nbsp;kg was divided among the seven payloads as follows:<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
# Water extraction (10&nbsp;kg)
# Soil acquisition (15&nbsp;kg) 
# Thin film solar power demonstrator (6&nbsp;kg)
# Camera system (5&nbsp;kg)
# Open for random proposals from the highest bidder (4&nbsp;kg)
# Educational payload (2&nbsp;kg)
# Winning university experiment (2&nbsp;kg)

===Further plans===
A robotic rover was proposed to be launched to Mars in 2022, in order to scout a landing site for the 2027 lander and a site for the Mars One colony. At the same time, a communication satellite would be launched, enabling continuous communication with the future landed assets. For 2024, six cargo missions were proposed, in close succession, consisting of two living units, two life-support units, and two supply units; a spacecraft transporting four astronauts was proposed to meet a transit vehicle bound for Mars. For 2025, the landing module transporting four astronauts was proposed to land on Mars. They envisioned the crew to be met by the rover, and taken to the Mars One colony.<ref name="Mars One 2014">"Roadmap - Mission - Mars One." Mars One. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 December 2014.</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ TABLE 1: Mission elements road-map
! Initial concept 
! Last concept<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mars-one.com/news/press-releases/mars-ones-ceo-bas-lansdorp-answers-questions-about-mission-feasibility | title=Mars One's CEO Bas Lansdorp answers questions about mission feasibility. | publisher=Mars One | date=19 March 2015 | access-date=20 March 2015}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|title=Mission Roadmap|url=http://www.mars-one.com/mission/roadmap|publisher=MarsOne|access-date = 20 March 2015}}</ref>{{Ref|plan|a}}
! Desired milestone 
! Situation at end of Program
|-
| 2015 
| 2018 
| Candidate pool would be reduced to 40 contestants,<ref name=rs20120605>{{cite web| url=http://www.realscience.us/2012/06/05/reality-tv-sets-sights-on-mars-for-new-show| author=Michael Bradbury| title=Reality TV Sets Sights on Mars for New Show| work=Real Science| date=5 June 2012| access-date=17 June 2012}}</ref> possible building of the settlement for training purposes.<ref name=Sen>{{cite web| last=Black| first=Charles| title=Mars One plans human settlement on the Red Planet by 2023| url=http://www.sen.com/feature/mars-one-plans-for-human-settlement-on-mars.html| publisher=SEN TV LIMITED| date=18 October 2012}}</ref> 
| The candidate pool was reduced to 100<ref>{{cite web| title=Meet the 100 Candidates for a One Way Trip to Mars| date=19 February 2015| url=http://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/02/18/erin-dnt-carroll-mars-one-100-candidates.cnn| publisher=CNN}}</ref>
|-
| 2016 
| 2024 
| The first communication satellite (ComSat), and a lander to demonstrate certain key technologies.  
| One initial concept study by Lockheed Martin (lander) and Surrey Satellite Technology (orbiter);<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mars-one.com/news/press-releases/lockheed-martin-and-sstl-selected-for-mars-ones-first-unmanned-mission-to-m|title=Lockheed Martin and SSTL selected for Mars One's first Unmanned Mission to Mars - Press Releases - News - Mars One|website=Mars One|access-date=2016-07-06}}</ref> Not funded nor designed.
|-
| 2018 
| 2026 
| A [[Astronomy:Rover (space exploration)|rover]] (yet to be designed) would be launched to help select the location of the settlement. A second ComSat would launch to L5 to enable near-24/7 communication.<ref name=Sen /> 
| Not contracted{{ref|robots|b}} 
|-
| 2020 
| 2029 
| A second rover and six notional modified Dragon capsules and another rover would launch with two living units, two life-support units and two supply units. 
| Not contracted{{ref|robots|b}}{{ref|SpaceX|c}}
|-
| 2021 
| 2030 
| The autonomous rovers would begin settlement assembly.  The Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) would produce a breathable atmosphere of 0.7 bar pressure, 3000 liters of water, 240&nbsp;kg of oxygen, which would be stored in the habitat for later use. 
| Not contracted
|-
| 2022 
| 2031 
| A notional [[Engineering:Falcon Heavy|Falcon Heavy]] would launch with the first group of four colonists.<ref name=Sen />
| Not contracted{{ref|SpaceX|c}}
|-
| 2023 
| 2032 
| The first colonists arrive on Mars in a notional lander. 
| Not contracted{{ref|SpaceX|c}}
|-
| 2024 
| 2033 
| Second crew of four colonists would be launched.<ref name=Sen /> 
|Not planned
|-
| 2025 
| 2034 
| Second crew would arrive on Mars. 
|Not planned
|-
| 2031 
| 2040 
| The colony would reach 20 settlers.<ref name=dj20120601>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/325858 |author=Anne Sewell| title=Mars One: Human settlement on Mars in 2023| work=Digital Journal |date=1 June 2012 |access-date=6 June 2012}}</ref> 
|Not planned
|}
Notes:<br/>
{{Note|plan|a}}The initial concept timeline slipped 2 times, with a 2-year delay each time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/28877-mars-one-colony-launch-delay.html|title=Mars One Colony Project Delays Manned Red Planet Mission to 2026|website=Space.com |date=20 March 2015|access-date=8 June 2016}}</ref><br/>
{{note|robots|b}}Work on robotic missions was suspended pending further review and future contract direction in February 2015.<ref name=roboticworkends /><br/>
{{note|SpaceX|c}}SpaceX had no contracts with MarsOne and the project did not appear on their launch manifest.<ref name="SpaceX has no Mars One launches planned">{{cite news| title=Will the Mars One reality TV mission ever take off? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/11228040/Is-the-Mars-One-mission-just-a-scam.html| issue=The Telegraph}}</ref>

== Team and advisers ==
The Mars One team consisted of Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Bas Lansdorp, Chief Technical Officer and co-founder Arnold Wielders, Chief Medical Officer Norbert Kraft, Mission Concept Artist Bryan Versteeg, Senior Marketing Strategist KC Frank, and Chief Information Officer Tom Van Braeckel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mars-one.com/about-mars-one/team|title=Team - About Mars One|access-date=19 May 2018}}</ref>

Mars One's team of advisers consisted of over 30 industry and scientific experts,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mars-one.com/about-mars-one/advisers|title=Advisers - About Mars One|access-date=19 May 2018}}</ref> including [[Biography:Mason Peck|Mason Peck]], [[Biography:Peter Smith (physicist)|Peter Smith]], James R. Kass, K.R. Sridhara Murthi, Esther Dyson, and [[Biography:Robert Zubrin|Robert Zubrin]].

==Desired technology==

Mars One was not an aerospace company and would not have manufactured hardware.<ref name="TechMars">[https://www.mars-one.com/technology Mars One - Technology]. Mars One.</ref> Lansdorp assumed all major components would be available in the aerospace market,<ref name=mars1tech>{{cite web|url=http://mars-one.com/en/mission/technology |title=Technology |publisher=Mars One |access-date=6 August 2013}}</ref> and said Mars One had identified at least one potential supplier for each component of the mission.<ref name=kwai20120603-2>
{{cite web| url=http://www.kurzweilai.net/mars-one-plans-to-establish-human-settlement-on-mars-in-2023|author=Staff |title=Mars One plans to establish human settlement on Mars in 2023| work=Kurzweil| date=3 June 2012|access-date=6 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://mars-one.com/en/about-mars-one/suppliers |title=About the suppliers |publisher=Mars One |access-date=17 July 2012}}</ref>

=== Launcher ===

[[Company:SpaceX|SpaceX]] mentioned in 2014 that they had been contacted by Mars One, but that accommodating Mars One requirements would require some additional work and that such action was not a part of the current focus of SpaceX.<ref name=tss20140321>{{cite AV media|people=Gwynne Shotwell |date=21 March 2014 |title=Broadcast 2212: Special Edition, interview with Gwynne Shotwell |medium=audio file |url=http://archived.thespaceshow.com/shows/2212-BWB-2014-03-21.mp3 |access-date=22 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322013556/http://archived.thespaceshow.com/shows/2212-BWB-2014-03-21.mp3 |archive-date=22 March 2014 |format=mp3 |time=11:20–12:10 |publisher=The Space Show |id=2212 |quote=Mark: 10:15 min into the interview |url-status=dead }}</ref> SpaceX had no contracts with Mars One.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/11228040/Is-the-Mars-One-mission-just-a-scam.html|title=Will the Mars One reality TV mission ever take off?|work=telegraph.co.uk|access-date=13 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://archived.thespaceshow.com/shows/2212-BWB-2014-03-21.mp3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322013556/http://archived.thespaceshow.com/shows/2212-BWB-2014-03-21.mp3|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 March 2014|title=Broadcast 2266 (Special Edition)|work=The Space Show|access-date=22 March 2014}}</ref> The first Mars One cargo mission to Mars was proposed to launch by 2022, followed by a crewed mission in 2024,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mars-one.com/mission/roadmap|title=Road Map - Mars One|work=mars-one.com}}</ref> but without funds, hardware, and without a launcher it did not happen.<ref>[http://www.businessinsider.com/mars-one-trip-wont-work-2015-2 The Mars One plan is totally delusional]. Kelly Dickerson, ''Business insider''. 3 March 2015. Qiote: "Mars One doesn't own any of its own space travel technology and has no existing contracts with companies that do."</ref>

===Mars Transit Vehicle===

A hypothetical crewed interplanetary spacecraft, for which there were no concept design studies, was to have been assembled in low Earth orbit and comprise two propellant modules: a Transit Living Module (discarded just before arrival at Mars) and a lander (see "Human Lander" below).<ref name=mars1tech /><ref name=MTV>{{cite web|title=Mars Transit Vehicle|url=http://mars-one.com/en/mars-transit-vehicle|publisher=Mars One|access-date=11 November 2012}}</ref> In 2012, Mars One speculated that the Transit Living Module might potentially be designed and built by [[Company:Thales Alenia Space|Thales Alenia Space]].<ref name=Suppliers>{{cite web|title=Suppliers|url=http://www.mars-one.com/partners/suppliers|publisher=Mars One|access-date=12 November 2012}}</ref>

=== Demo lander ===
A concept study was produced by [[Company:Lockheed Martin|Lockheed Martin]] for a demonstration lander based on the 2008 [[Engineering:Phoenix (spacecraft)|''Phoenix'']] lander.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=nsj20140101/><ref name="ReferenceA"/>

===Communications system===
In December 2013 Mars One awarded a contract to [[Company:Surrey Satellite Technology|Surrey Satellite Technology]] for a study of the satellite technology required to provide 24/7 communication between Earth and the Mars base.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lockheed Martin and SSTL selected for Mars One's first unmanned mission to Mars|url=http://www.mars-one.com/en/11-news/516-countdown|publisher=Mars One|access-date=9 December 2013}}</ref><ref name=ViaSatellite>{{cite web|last=Henry|first=Caleb|title=Mars One Plans Two, Possibly Three Communications Satellites for the Red Planet|url=http://www.satellitetoday.com/telecom/2014/01/07/mars-one-plans-two-possibly-three-communications-satellites-for-the-red-planet/|work=Via Satellite|publisher=Access Intelligence Satellite Group |access-date=11 January 2014|date=7 January 2014}}</ref> Mars One proposed at least two satellites, one in [[Astronomy:Areostationary orbit|areostationary orbit]] above Mars and a second at the [[Astronomy:Lagrangian point|Earth – Sun L4 or L5 point]] to relay the signal when Mars blocks the areosynchronous satellite from line of sight to Earth.<ref name=ViaSatellite /> It is possible that a third satellite would be required to relay the signal on the rare occasions when the Sun blocks the first relay satellite from line of sight with Earth.<ref name=ViaSatellite />

===Lander===
An early notional crewed lander was shown in concept art{{when|date=February 2019}} as a {{convert|5|m|ft|sp=us|adj=on}}-diameter variant of [[Astronomy:SpaceX Red Dragon|SpaceX Red Dragon]], but SpaceX declined to collaborate with Mars One.<ref name="SpaceX has no Mars One launches planne

===Rover===
The [[Astronomy:Crewed Mars rover|crewed Mars rover]] was to have been unpressurized and claimed to be designed to be capable of supporting travel distances of 80&nbsp;km (50 miles).<ref name="mars1poss">{{cite web|url=http://mars-one.com/mission/is-this-really-possible |title=Is this really possible? |publisher=Mars One |access-date=6 August 2013}}</ref> One mentioned supplier for the rover in 2012 was [[Company:Astrobotic Technology|Astrobotic Technology]].<ref name=Suppliers/>{{primary source inline|date=January 2014}}

===Mars suit===
On 12 March 2013, Paragon Space Development Corporation was contracted to develop concepts for life support and the Mars Surface Exploration Spacesuit System, and it included the pressure suit and the Portable Life Support System (PLSS) that could have permitted survival outside the habitat. The suggested supplier of the suits was [[Company:ILC Dover|ILC Dover]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mars-one.com/partners/suppliers/ilc-dover|title=ILC Dover|work=Mars One|access-date=14 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115122610/http://www.mars-one.com/partners/suppliers/ilc-dover|archive-date=15 January 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The study was stated to be finished late summer 2013; Mars One released the results of this (ECLSS portion only) study to the public in June 2015,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mars-one.com/en/mars-one-news/press-releases/11-news/380-mars-one-contracts-paragon-for-mars-life-support-systems|title=Mars One Contracts Paragon for Mars Life Support Systems|work=Mars One}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://community.mars-one.com/blog/abstract-mars-one-surface-habitat-eclss-conceptual-design-assessment|title=How to keep humans alive on Mars-Abstract Surface Habitat ECLSS Conceptual Design|work=Mars One}}</ref><ref>[https://www.mars-one.com/images/uploads/807300008B_Mars_One_SES_Conceptual_Design_-_Public_Release.pdf Mars One Surface Exploration Suit]. (PDF). Norman Hahn and Barry W. Finger, from Paragon Space Development Corporation. Published by Mars One,</ref> but did not fund its research and development.

===Life support systems ===

In 2013, Mars One signed a contract with Paragon Space Development Corporation, for a preliminary [[Engineering:Life support system|life support system]] concept study based on the International Space Station.<ref name="wiredUK">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-05/13/mars-one|title=Mars One will take you to the Red Planet, if it can raise the cash| last=Shubber|first=Kadhim|magazine=Wired UK| date=13 May 2013|publisher=Wired.co.uk|access-date=4 June 2013}}</ref> The idea was criticized because that system, as modern as it is, requires significant maintenance and supplies not available while on Mars.<ref>[https://gizmodo.com/mars-one-is-still-completely-full-of-shit-1724032400 Mars One Is Still Completely Full of Shit]. Maddie Stone, ''Gizmodo''. 14 August 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=40295 Mars One Contracts Paragon for Mars Life Support Systems]. ''The Fun Star''. 11 March 2013.</ref>

== Astronaut selection ==
===Sign up period ===
The application was available from 22 April 2013 to 31 August 2013.<ref name=selection>{{cite web |url = http://www.mars-one.com/en/faq-en/21-faq-selection/204-how-will-the-astronauts-be-chosen |title = How will the astronaut selection proceed? |access-date = 4 December 2013 |work = Mars One}}</ref><ref name=":2">[http://www.mars-one.com/en/faq-en/21-faq-selection/241-can-i-apply-to-become-an-astronaut "Can I Apply to Become an Astronaut?"] Mars One. Retrieved on 2 Sept. 2013.</ref> This first application consisted of applicant's general information, a motivational letter, a résumé and a video. More than 200,000 people expressed interest.  By 9 September 2013, 4,227 applicants<ref>{{cite web |url=https://community.mars-one.com/blog/the-science-of-screening-astronauts |title=The Science of Screening Astronauts|first=Norbert|last=Kraft|date=27 May 2015|access-date=11 June 2018}}</ref> had paid their registration fee and submitted public videos in which they made their case for going to Mars.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nbcnews.com/science/more-2-700-pay-chance-take-one-way-trip-mars-8C11115364 |title = More than 2,700 pay up for a chance to take a one-way trip to Mars|last=Boyle |first=Alan |newspaper=NBC News |date = 9 September 2013 |access-date = 4 December 2013}}</ref> The application fee varies from US$5 to US$75 (the amount depending on the relative wealth of the applicant's country).<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/21005-mars-one-colony-applications.html|title=78,000 Apply for Private Mars Colony Project in 2 Weeks|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=7 May 2013|publisher=Space.com|access-date=4 June 2013}}</ref>

===Round 1: First selection ===
The applicants selected in this round were declared on 30 December 2013. A total of 1,058 applicants from 107 countries were selected.<ref name=nsj20140101/> The gender split was 586 males (55.4%) and 472 females (44.6%). Among the people that were selected to move on to round two, 159 have a master's degree, 347 have bachelor's degrees and 29 have Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degrees. The majority of the applicants are under 36 and well educated.<ref name="theverge.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/12/30/5249354/mars-one-narrows-applicant-pool-to-1058-in-first-cut-for-2025|title=Mars One narrows applicant pool to 1,058 in first cut for 2025 colonization mission|date=30 December 2013|work=The Verge}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/mars-picks-1058-potential-astronauts-mission/story?id=21382119|title=Mars One Picks 1,058 Potential Astronauts for One-Way Mission|work=ABC News}}</ref>

===Round 2: The Mars 100===
{{Pie chart
 | caption = Distribution of the 1,058 applicants selected for Round 2 according to their academic degree<ref name="Aspiring Martians Round 2">{{cite web|url=http://aspiringmartians.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Round2Infographic22_zps1dd31954.png
 |title= Aspiring Martians by country|access-date=8 June 2016|url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610065712/http://aspiringmartians.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Round2Infographic22_zps1dd31954.png|archive-date=10 June 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
 | other = yes
 | label1 = Bachelor's degree
 | value1 = 33
 | label2 = Master's degree
 | value2 = 15
 | label3 = [[Social:Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]]
 | value3 = 8
 | label4 = [[Social:Associate degree|Associate degree]]
 | value4 = 3
 | label5 = [[Medicine:Doctor of Medicine|Doctor of Medicine]]
 | value5 = 3
 | label6 = Doctor of law
 | value6 = 1
}}
Medically cleared candidates were interviewed, and 50 men and 50 women from the total pool of 660 from around the world were selected to move on to the third round of the astronaut selection process:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mars-one.com/news/press-releases/the-mars-100-mars-one-announces-round-three-astronaut-candidates|title=The Mars 100: Mars One Announces Round Three Astronaut Candidates|work=Mars One}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://community.mars-one.com/ambassador_points/ALL/18/82/ALL/ALL/5/3|title=Mars One Community Platform}}</ref>

*Applicants by country:
**36 from: United States
**7 from: Australia
**4 from: Germany, {{wipe|South Africa}}, Canada, United Kingdom, Russia, India
**3 from: {{wipe|Poland}}
**2 from: [[Religion:Iran|Iran]], China, Japan, {{wipe|Philippines}}, Spain
**1 from: Belgium, France, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, [[Place:Czech Republic|Czech Republic]], {{wipe|Brazil}}, Ireland, Romania, Croatia, Serbia, {{wipe|Ukraine}}, Vietnam, {{wipe|Pakistan}}, [[Place:Egypt|Egypt]], Bolivia, Uruguay, New Zealand, Nigeria
*the youngest: 20-year-old
*the oldest: 61-year-old

Applicants were remotely interviewed and recorded by Mars One over a relatively short [[Software:Skype|Skype]]/SparkHire call regarding Martian-related orbital, temp/pressure, geological and historical parameters and the specific elements of the Mars One one-way mission.<ref name=Elmo/><ref name=JoeGuard/><ref name=WashPostMar/> Joseph Roche, one of the finalists, has accused the selection process of being based on a point system that is primarily dependent on how much money each individual generated or gave to the Mars One organization, despite many of the round three selectees having not spent any money in the process, apart from the application fee, which varied as a function of each applicant's country [[Finance:GDP|GDP]].<ref name=Elmo>{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/matter/mars-one-insider-quits-dangerously-flawed-project-2dfef95217d3|title=Mars One Finalist Explains Exactly How It's Ripping Off Supporters|last=Keep|first=Elmo|date=16 March 2015|publisher=Medium|access-date=16 March 2015}}</ref><ref name=JoeGuard>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/18/mars-one-astronaut-joseph-roche-space-missions|title=I'm on list to be a Mars One astronaut – but I won't see the red planet| last=Roche| first=Joseph| date=18 March 2015|newspaper=Guardian| access-date=19 March 2015}}</ref><ref name=WashPostMar/> Lansdorp acknowledges a "[[Gamification|gamification]]" point system but denies that selection is based on money earned.<ref name=WashPostMar/> Roche also stated that if paid for interviews, they are asked to donate 75% of the payment to Mars One.<ref name=Elmo/><ref name="WashPostMar">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/03/19/that-one-way-flight-to-mars-could-keep-you-waiting-for-decades/ |title=That one way flight to Mars is losing its sheen| last=Kaplan |first=Sarah|date=19 March 2015| newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=19 March 2015}}</ref> This was confirmed by Lansdorp.<ref name=Elmo/><ref name="WashPostMar"/>

=== Round 3: Group challenges ===
The company had intended that the regional selection may be broadcast as a reality television show documenting group challenges, but no deal was reached with TV producers. The audience was to select one winner per region, and the experts could select additional participants, if needed, to continue to the international level.<ref name=selection/> Of the 100 candidates, 40 individuals were to be chosen through an interview process.<ref name='Status MarsOne'>[https://www.mars-one.com/about-mars-one/current-mission-status Mars One -Current Mission Status]. Accessed 16 March 2018.</ref> Round 3 would take place after enough funding is secured for an "Earth-based simulation outpost."<ref name='Status MarsOne'/>

=== Round 4: Isolation ===
The remaining 40 candidates would be spending nine days in an isolation unit. The candidates are observed closely to examine how they act in situations of prolonged close contact with one another. It takes a specific team dynamic to be able to handle this, and the goal of this selection round is to find those that are best suited for this challenge. After the isolation round, 30 candidates would be chosen to undergo in a Mars Settler Suitability Interview.<ref name="mars-one.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.mars-one.com/news/press-releases/mars-one-presents-more-details-on-next-astronaut-selection-rounds|title=Mars One presents more details on next astronaut selection rounds - Press Releases - News - Mars One|access-date=8 June 2016}}</ref>

=== Round 5: Mars Settler Suitability Interview ===
The Mars Settler Suitability Interview would have measured suitability for long-duration space missions and Mars settlement, and would last approximately 4 hours. 24 candidates would be selected after the interview and would be offered full-time employment with Mars One.<ref name="mars-one.com"/>

==Astronaut training ==

From the previous selection series, six groups of four were to become full-time employees of the Mars One, after which they were to train for the mission. An MIT team noted that since the company is not developing the technology needed, it is unclear what the astronauts would be training for.<ref name='MIT CHu'/><ref name="Day 20152"/> Mars One has stated that the teams selected were going to undergo a battery of training, ranging from psycho-social skills to engineering and scientific observation.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Mars One, humanity's next great adventure : inside the first human settlement on Mars|author1=Kraft, Norbert| author2=Kass, James R.|author3=Kass, Raye|isbn=9781940363837|location=Dallas, Texas|oclc=925426569|date = 23 February 2016}}</ref>

==Revenues and investment==
{{Pie chart
 | caption = Mars One's investment of revenues<ref name="http://www.mars-one.com/en/donate">{{cite web|url=http://www.mars-one.com/en/donate|title=Donate|work=Mars One|access-date=11 February 2015}}</ref>
 | other =
 | label1 = Concept design studies
 | value1 = 78.3
 | label2 = Travel expenses
 | value2 = 11.6
 | label3 = Legal expenses
 | value3 = 3.3
 | label4 = Website maintenance
 | value4 = 2.4
 | label5 = Communications
 | value5 = 2.3
 | label6 = Office and other
 | value6 = 2.1
}}
Mars One funding came from astronaut application fees, donations, undisclosed private investment, intellectual property (IP) rights, and mostly, the potential sale of future broadcasting rights.<ref name=profit/><ref name="auto"/> Over three-quarters of the funds reportedly went to concept design studies. Mars One states that "income from donations and merchandise have not been used to pay salaries".  To date, no financial records have been released for public viewing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mars-one.com/en/donate|title=Donate|work=Mars One}}</ref> Mars One initially estimated a one-way trip, excluding the cost of maintaining four astronauts on Mars until they die, at US$6 billion.<ref name="Space-20120831" /> Lansdorp has declined questions regarding the cost estimate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cosmiclog.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/22/17865202-thousands-want-to-take-one-way-trip-to-mars-but-will-you-pay-their-way|title=Thousands want to take one-way trip to Mars, but will you pay their way?|last=Boyle|first=Alan|date=22 April 2013|publisher=NBC News|access-date=4 June 2013}}</ref>

===Reality TV===
A proposed global reality-TV show was intended to provide funds to finance the expedition, however, no such television show emerged and no contracts were signed. The astronaut selection process (with some public participation) was to be televised and continue on through the first years of living on Mars.<ref name="Reality">{{cite web|url=http://www.gizmag.com/mars-one-human-settlement-2023/22799/|author=Dario Borghino|title=Mission to Mars meets reality TV|work=Gizmag|date=4 June 2012|access-date=8 June 2012}}</ref>

Discussions between Endemol started in June 2014,<ref name="DSP20140602">{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2014/06/one-way-mission-to-mars-reality-series-to-be-produced-by-endemols-dsp-738856/|title=Endemol To Produce Reality Series On Mars One's Mission To Colonize The Red Planet|website=deadline.com|author=Nancy Tartaglione|date=June 2, 2014|access-date=June 4, 2023}}</ref> producers of the ''Big Brother'' series, and Mars One ended with Endemol subsidiary Darlow Smithson Productions issuing a statement in February 2015 that they "were unable to reach agreement on the details of the contract" and that the company was "no longer involved in the project."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://spacenews.com/mars-one-loses-television-deal/|title=Mars One Loses Television Deal|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=24 February 2015|magazine=SpaceNews|access-date=28 February 2015}}</ref> Lansdorp updated plans to no longer include live broadcasts, but instead would rely on documentary-style short films produced by the company Stateless Media.<ref>[https://mashable.com/2015/02/09/mars-one-documentary/#vR_lKibZ4aqO Short film tells the stories of three people who want to die on Mars]. Patrick Kulp, ''Mashable''. 9 February 2015.</ref><ref>[https://www.marketscreener.com/MARS-ONE-VENTURES-AG-22376803/news/Mars-One-Ventures-First-Mars-residents-to-be-there-by-2032-says-Mars-One-founder-25934564/ Mars One Ventures: First Mars residents to be there by 2032, says Mars One founder]. 5 February 2018. Quote: "they make money from application fees, merchandising sales, their website and through an upcoming documentary series."</ref>

===Sponsors===
On 31 August 2012, the company announced that funding from its first sponsors were received,<ref name="Space-20120831">{{cite web |author=Staff |title=Private Manned Mars Mission Gets First Sponsors |url=http://www.space.com/17360-private-mars-one-mission-sponsors.html |date=31 August 2012 |publisher=Space.com |access-date=3 September 2012 }}</ref> and that the funds were used mostly to pay for two conceptual design studies performed by aerospace suppliers Lockheed Martin (lander) and Surrey Satellite Systems (orbiter).<ref name="Space-20120831"/>

On 3 March 2014 Mars One announced a working agreement with [[Organization:Uwingu|Uwingu]], stating that the program would use Uwingu's map of Mars in all of their missions.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.mars-one.com/news/press-releases/mars-one-partners-with-uwingu-mars-crater-naming-project/| title=Mars One partners with Uwingu Mars Crater Naming Project| work=Mars One}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last=Wall| first=Mike| title=New 'People's Map of Mars' To Be Used By Mars One Project| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/03/peoples-map-of-mars_n_4892362.html| work=Huffington Post}}</ref>

===Donations and merchandise===
{{Bar chart
| title = Revenues that Mars One had received from merchandise sale, donations and the Indiegogo crowd funding campaign until 4 July 2016.<ref name="http://www.mars-one.com/en/donate"/>
| label_type = Country of buyer/donor
| data_type = Revenue amount (in US $)
| data_max = 380,000
| float = right
| label1   = {{Flag|United States}}
| data1    = 371,102
| label2   = {{Flag|Canada}}
| data2    = 94,580
| label3   = {{Flag|United Kingdom}}
| data3    = 73,289
| label4   = {{Flag|Australia}}
| data4    = 65,799
| label5   = {{Flag|Netherlands}}
| data5    = 42,579
| label6   = {{Flag|Germany}}
| data6    = 39,396
| label7   = {{Flag|Russia}}
| data7    = 20,935
| label8   = {{Flag|Sweden}}
| data8    = 20,568
| label9  = {{Flag|Norway}}
| data9   = 18,726
| label10   = {{Flag|France}}
| data10    = 18,590
| label11  = {{Flag|Denmark}}
| data11   = 15,892
| label12  = {{Flag|Switzerland}}
| data12   = 11,782
| label13  = {{Flag|Belgium}}
| data13   = 11,066
| label14  = {{Flag|Spain}}
| data14   = 9,683
| label15  = {{Flag|Brazil}}
| data15   = 8,992
| label16  = {{Flag|Finland}}
| data16   = 8,927
| label17  = {{Flag|Poland}}
| data17   = 7,825
| label18  = {{Flag|Austria}}
| data18   = 7,342
| label19  = {{Flag|New Zealand}}
| data19   = 6,087
| label20  = {{Flag|Italy}}
| data20   = 5,428
| label21  = Others (93 countries)
| data21   = 70,300 
| caption = '''Total (from 113 countries)''': $928,888	
}}
Since the official announcement of their conversion to a ''Stichting'' foundation, Mars One began accepting donations through their website. As of 4 July 2016, Mars One had received $928,888 in donations and [[Finance:Merchandising|merchandise sales]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mars-one.com/en/donate |title=Donate |publisher=Mars One |date=31 January 2014 |access-date=16 February 2014}}</ref> The 2016 donation update adds the Indiegogo campaign ($313,744) to the private donation and merchandise total.

===Crowdfunding===
On 10 December 2013, Mars One set up a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to help fund a 2018 demonstration robotic mission that was not built. The alleged 2018 mission would have included a lander and a communications satellite to prove technologies in addition to launch and landing. The campaign goal was to raise US$400,000 by 25 January 2014. Since the ending date was drawing near, they decided to extend the ending date to 9 February 2014. By the end of the campaign, they had received $313,744. Indiegogo received 9% ($28,237).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/mars-one-first-private-mars-mission-in-2018|title=Mars One - First Private Mars Mission in 2018|work=Indiegogo}}</ref>

==Bankruptcy==

Trading of the shares of Mars One Ventures AG, listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, was suspended on 5 February 2019 for non-compliance with the FSE regulations when the number of shares was increased in 2017.<ref name=bankruptcy>[https://www.mars-one.com/news/press-releases/mars-one-ventures-ag-in-administration Mars One Ventures AG in administration]</ref> In February 2019, it was reported that Mars One had declared [[Finance:Bankruptcy|bankruptcy]] in a {{wipe|Switzerland}} court on 15 January 2019, and was permanently dissolved as a company.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mars One is dead|last=Cooper|first=Daniel|date=11 February 2019|publisher=Engadget|url=https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/11/mars-one-is-dead/}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Mars One Is Now Officially Dead. But It Always Was.|last=Moseman|first=Andrew|date=11 February 2019|magazine=Popular Mechanics|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/moon-mars/a26286368/mars-one-is-dead/}}</ref> The total debt is approximately €1 million.<ref name=bankruptcy/>

==Criticism==
Mars One received a variety of criticism, mostly relating to medical,<ref name="WIRED-20140212">{{cite magazine |last=Fong, MD |first=Kevin |title=The Strange, Deadly Effects Mars Would Have on Your Body |url=https://www.wired.com/opinion/2014/02/happens-body-mars/ |date=12 February 2014 |magazine=Wired |access-date=12 February 2014 }}</ref> technical and financial feasibility. There were also unverified claims that Mars One was a scam designed to take as much money as possible from donors, including reality show contestants.<ref name="techspot.com">{{cite web| url=http://www.techspot.com/news/60071-mars-one-finalist-breaks-silence-claims-organization-total.html |title='Mars One' finalist breaks silence, claims organization is a total scam |date=16 March 2015 |author=Shawn Knight |website=Techspot}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite web|last1=Roche|first1=Joseph| title=I'm on list to be a Mars One astronaut – but I won't see the red planet| url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/18/mars-one-astronaut-joseph-roche-space-missions|website=The Guardian|date=18 March 2015|access-date=8 April 2015}}</ref> Many criticized the project's US$6 billion budget as being too low to successfully transport humans to Mars, to the point of being delusional.<ref name="Day 20152"/><ref name='delusional'>{{cite web| last1=Dickerson| first1=Kelly| title=The Mars One plan is totally delusional| url=https://news.yahoo.com/mars-ones-plan-colonize-red-155056558.html| website=Yahoo! News| date=3 March 2015| access-date=8 April 2015}}</ref> A similar project study by NASA estimated the cost of such a feat at US$100 billion, although that included transporting the astronauts back to Earth. Objections had also been raised regarding the reality TV project associated with the expedition. Given the transient nature of most reality TV ventures, many believed that as viewership declined, funding could significantly decrease, thereby harming the entire expedition. Further, contestants reported that they were ranked based on their donations and funds raised.<ref name="techspot.com"/><ref>{{cite web| last=West| first=Kesha| title=Ethical questions over one-way Mars trip| website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation| date=15 May 2013| url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-15/an-ethical-questions-over-one-way-mars-mission/4690824| access-date=11 January 2014}}</ref>

=== Academia ===
John Logsdon, a space policy expert at George Washington University, criticized the program, saying it appeared to be a scam<ref name='delusional'/> and not "a credible proposition".<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.npr.org/2015/03/17/390995619/are-humans-really-headed-to-mars-anytime-soon| title=Are Humans Really Headed To Mars Anytime Soon?|last=Greenfieldboyce| first=Nell| date=17 March 2015| publisher=NPR| access-date=19 March 2015}}</ref>

Chris Welch, director of the Masters Programs at the International Space University, said "Even ignoring the potential mismatch between the project income and its costs and questions about its longer-term viability, the Mars One proposal does not demonstrate a sufficiently deep understanding of the problems to give real confidence that the project would be able to meet its very ambitious schedule."<ref name=BBC>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18506033| title=Can the Dutch do reality TV in space?| last=Holligan| first=Anna| date=19 June 2012| publisher=BBC| access-date=26 November 2012}}</ref>

[[Biography:Gerard 't Hooft|Gerard 't Hooft]], theoretical physicist and ambassador<ref name=GerardAmbassador>{{cite web| url=http://www.mars-one.com/about-mars-one/ambassadors| title=Mars One Ambassadors| access-date=20 April 2016}}</ref> to Mars One, has stated that he thought both their proposed schedule and budget were off by a factor of ten.<ref name=Elmo/><ref name=GuardUnreal/> He said he still supported the project's overall goals.<ref name=GuardUnreal>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/feb/23/mars-one-plan-colonise-red-planet-unrealistic-leading-supporter |title= Mars One plan to colonise red planet unrealistic, says leading supporter |last=Devlin| first=Hannah| date=23 February 2015| newspaper=The Guardian| access-date=28 February 2015}}</ref>

A space logistics analysis conducted by PhD candidates at the [[Organization:Massachusetts Institute of Technology|Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] revealed that the most optimistic of scenarios would require 15 [[Engineering:Falcon Heavy|Falcon Heavy]] launches that would cost approximately $4.5 billion.<ref name='MIT CHu'/> They concluded that the reliability of Environmental Control and Life Support systems (ECLS), the Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), and in situ resource utilization ([[Astronomy:In situ resource utilization|ISRU]]) would have to be improved. Additionally, they determined that if the costs of launch were also lowered dramatically, together this would help to reduce the mass and cost of Mars settlement architecture.<ref name='MIT CHu'/> The environmental system would result in failure to be able to support human life in 68 days if fire safety standards on over-oxygenation were followed, due to excessive use of nitrogen supplies that would not then be able to be used to compensate leakage of air out of the habitat, leading to a resultant loss in pressurization, ending with pressures too low to support human life.<ref name='MIT CHu'/> Lansdorp replied that although he has not read all the research, supplier Lockheed Martin said that the technologies were viable.<ref name="Rafi Letzler">{{cite magazine |author= Rafi Letzler |magazine= Popular Mechanics |url= http://www.popsci.com/article/technology/mit-students-claim-astronauts-will-starve-mars-one-mission |title= MIT Students Claim Astronauts Will Starve On 'Mars One' Mission |date= 11 October 2014 }}</ref>

Another serious concern uncovered in the research conducted by MIT was replacement parts. The PhD candidates estimated the need for spare parts in a Mars colony based on the failure rates of parts on the ISS. They determined that a resupply mission every two years would be necessary unless a large space in the initial launch were to be reserved for extra materials. Lansdorp commented on this saying, "They are correct. The major challenge of Mars One is keeping everything up and running. We don't believe what we have designed is the best solution. It's a good solution."<ref name="Rafi Letzler"/>

In March 2015, one of the Mars One finalists, Joseph Roche,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tcd.ie/Physics/Astrophysics/roche.php |title=Dr. Joseph Roche |website=Astrophysics Research Group |access-date=3 September 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208021449/http://www.tcd.ie/Physics/Astrophysics/roche.php |archive-date=8 December 2015 |df=dmy-all |publisher=Trinity College Dublin }}</ref> stated to media outlets that he believed the mission to be a scam. Roche holds doctorate degrees in [[Physics:Physics|physics]] and [[Physics:Astrophysics|astrophysics]], and shared many of his concerns and criticisms of the mission. These claims include that the organization lied about the number of applicants, stating that 200,000 individuals applied versus Roche's claim of 2,761, and that many of the applicants had paid to be put on the list. Furthermore, Roche claimed that Mars One was asking finalists for donations from any money earned from guest appearances (which would amount to a minimal portion of the estimated $6 billion required for the mission). Finally, despite being one of 100 finalists, Roche himself never spoke to any Mars One employee or representative in person, and instead of psychological or psychometric testing as is normal for astronaut candidates (especially for a lengthy, one-way mission), his interview process consisted of a 10-minute [[Software:Skype|Skype]] conversation.<ref name="techspot.com"/><ref>{{cite web| last1=Roche| first1=Joseph| title=I'm on list to be a Mars One astronaut – but I won't see the red planet| url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/18/mars-one-astronaut-joseph-roche-space-missions| website=The Guardian| date=18 March 2015| access-date=8 April 2015}}</ref>

=== Space advocacy and policy ===
[[Biography:Robert Zubrin|Robert Zubrin]], advocate for crewed Martian exploration, said "I don't think the business plan closes it. We're going to go to Mars, we need a billion dollars, and we're going to make up the revenue with advertising and media rights and so on. You might be able to make up some of the money that way, but I don't think that anyone who is interested in making money is going to invest on that basis – invest in this really risky proposition, and if you're lucky you'll break even? That doesn't fly."<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.businessinsider.com/mars-one-hoax-bas-landorp-2023-2012-6| title=This Incredible Plan For A Mission To Mars In 2023 Is No Hoax |last=Taylor| first=Adam| date=8 June 2012| website=Business Insider| access-date=26 November 2012}}</ref> Despite his criticisms, Zubrin became an adviser to Mars One on 10 October 2013.<ref name="Zubrin joins the Advisory Board">{{cite web| url=http://www.mars-one.com/en/about-mars-one/advisers/2-mars-mission/506-dr-robert-zubrin| title=Zubrin joins the Advisory Board| work=Mars One}}</ref>

=== Astronauts ===
Canadian former astronaut Julie Payette said during the opening speech for an International Civil Aviation Organization conference that she did not think Mars One "is sending anybody anywhere".<ref name=WashPostMar/>

In January 2014, German former astronaut Ulrich Walter strongly criticized the project for ethical reasons. Speaking with Tagesspiegel, he estimated the probability of reaching Mars alive at only 30%, and that of surviving there more than three months at less than 20%. He said, "They don't care what happens to those people in space... If my tax money were used for such a mission, I would organize a protest."<ref>[http://www.tagesspiegel.de/weltspiegel/marsone-raumfahrt-experte-geht-mit-mars-projekt-hart-ins-gericht/9290182.html Tagesspiegel: Raumfahrtexperte geht mit Mars-Projekt hart ins Gericht], 6 January 2014, last seen 11 January 2014.</ref>

Space tourist Richard Garriott stated in response to Mars One, "Many have interesting viable starting plans. Few raise the money to be able to pull it off."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/02/mars-one-colonize-red-planet-video_n_1564745.html| title=Mars One: Dutch Startup Aims To Colonize Red Planet In 2023| last=Howard |first=Jacqueline| date=5 June 2012| work=Huffington Post| access-date=26 November 2012}}</ref>

Former astronaut [[Biography:Buzz Aldrin|Buzz Aldrin]] said in an interview that he wants to see humans on Mars by 2035, but he does not think Mars One will be the first to achieve it.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/29/buzz-aldrin-mars-one_n_3838736.html |website=HuffPost |author=HuffPost Live |title=Buzz Aldrin Remains Unconvinced of Mars One's Ability To Build Human Colony on Red Planet |date=29 August 2013}}</ref>

===Publications ===
''Wired'' magazine gave it a plausibility score of 2 out of 10 as part of their 2012 Most Audacious Private Space Exploration Plans.<ref>{{cite magazine| url=https://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/12/audacious-space-companies-2012/?pid=5747| title=The Year's Most Audacious Private Space Exploration Plans| last=Mann| first=Adam| date=27 December 2012| magazine=Wired| access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref>

The project lacked current funding as well as sources for future funding.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/7/13869856/mars-one-revised-mission-timeline-again-launch-plan-2031 |title=Mars One just delayed its (highly unlikely) Mars mission — again |author=Loren Grush |website=The Verge |date=7 December 2016}}</ref> The organization had no spacecraft or rocket in development or any contracts in place with companies that could provide a spacecraft or rocket.  While plans point to [[Company:SpaceX|SpaceX]] for both resources, the company had no contracts with Mars One in an industry that typically plans contracts decades in advance.<ref name="SpaceX has no Mars One launches planned"/>

==See also==
{{div col|colwidth=40em}}
* {{annotated link|Astronomy:Colonization of Mars}}
* {{annotated link|Astronomy:Effect of spaceflight on the human body}}
* {{annotated link|Astronomy:Health threat from cosmic rays}}
* {{annotated link|Astronomy:Human spaceflight}}
* {{annotated link|Astronomy:Human mission to Mars}}
* {{annotated link|Organization:Inspiration Mars Foundation}}
* {{annotated link|Astronomy:SpaceX Mars transportation infrastructure}}
* {{annotated link|Astronomy:MARS-500}}
* {{annotated link|Astronomy:Mars to Stay}}
* {{annotated link|Company:NewSpace}}
* {{annotated link|Engineering:Private spaceflight}}
* {{annotated link|Medicine:Space medicine}}
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{citation |title= An Independent Assessment of the Technical Feasibility of the Mars One Mission Plan |journal= 65th International Astronautical Congress |id= IAC-14-A5.2.7 |author1= Sydney Do |author2= Koki Ho |author3= Samuel Schreiner |author4= Andrew Owens |author5= Olivier de Weck |url= http://web.mit.edu/sydneydo/Public/Mars%20One%20Feasibility%20Analysis%20IAC14.pdf |date= 2014 |access-date= 10 October 2014 |archive-date= 30 June 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160630193725/http://web.mit.edu/sydneydo/Public/Mars%20One%20Feasibility%20Analysis%20IAC14.pdf |url-status= dead }}
*Book: {{cite book |last1=Kraft |first1= Norbert |title=Mars One: Humanity's Next Great Adventure: Inside the First Human Settlement on Mars |publisher=BenBella Books |date=23 February 2016 |isbn=978-1940363837 }}

{{Human missions to Mars}}
{{Mars spacecraft}}

[[Category:Human missions to Mars]]
[[Category:Colonization of Mars]]
[[Category:Cancelled space probes]]
[[Category:Organizations (Engineering)]]
[[Category:Organizations|Engineering]]

{{Sourceattribution|Mars One}}