NASA has been planning a manned mission to Mars for some time now, but it's not scheduled to put boots on the Martian surface until the mid-2030s. The non-profit organization Mars One is expecting to be there nearly a decade earlier in 2023.
To establish a human settlement, though, the company needs astronauts.
In what will undoubtedly go down as the coolest job posting of the year, Mars One on Tuesday announced that it is accepting applications from anyone willing to join the team as an astronaut.
Anyone in the world can apply, and there will be applications issued in multiple languages. The qualifications required are surprisingly general, and they can be viewed here.
"Applicants need to be at least 18 years of age, have a deep sense of purpose, willingness to build and maintain healthy relationships, the capacity for self-reflection and ability to trust," said the organization in a press release. "They must be resilient, adaptable, curious, creative and resourceful."
"Mars One is not seeking specific skill sets such as medical doctors, pilots or geologists. Rather, candidates will receive a minimum of eight years extensive training while employed by Mars One." The statement continued, "While any formal education or real-world experience can be an asset, all skills required on Mars will be learned while in training."
The organization also said that it won't be the only one responsible for selecting astronauts. During the first half of 2013, Mars One will air a "globally televised program" intended to let the audience, as well as a group of experts, vote to select who will win a trip to the red planet. Those chosen will then receive training in a number of simulated environments as well as scientific fields such as medicine, geology, and biology.
Is there a catch? That depends. Once the Martian landing is complete, there's no chance of coming back. Astronauts chosen must dedicate their life to the establishment of a permanent human colony.
To lay the foundation for their arrival, Mars One will initiate a series of cargo missions to the planet in 2016. Supplies, rovers, spare parts, and habitable environments will be launched to the planet, where they will wait for the astronauts to land in 2023.
