The nonprofit organization Mars One started recruiting potential Mars residents on Tuesday, news that thrilled sci-fi lovers around the world.

After a year of attracting donations and coping with technical problems, the organization kicked off its first recruiting process aimed at seeking potential Mars inhabitants.

“We are very excited about launching the selection program. This is an international mission and it is very important for the project that anyone anywhere can ask themselves: Do I want this? Am I ready for this? If the answer is yes, then we want to hear from you,” said Bas Lansdorp, cofounder of Mars One.

The number of applicants for the project will be trimmed down to some 24 to 40 after four rounds of a selection process. There will be an audition vote to pick the final four successful candidates.

The Europe-based organization was founded to establish a human settlement on Mars. According to the road map shown on its official website, Mars One is scheduled to launch a communication satellite, settlement rovers and other necessities for humans to survive on the foreign planet by 2022.

By Park Sui, Intern reporter
(suipark@heraldcorp.com)