The first round of applications will be open until Aug. 31, 2013. In order to apply, prospective astronauts must:
- Pay a registration fee that depends on the per capita GDP of their home country. For Canada, the fee is $33 US.
- Provide some general information about themselves.
- Write a letter about why they are applying.
- Submit a one-minute video answering some standard questions and explaining why he or she should be among the first humans to set foot on Mars.
As of Tuesday at noon, dozens of videos were already viewable online, including at least one from Canada.
Mars One "experts" will decide which applications will pass on to Round 2, when candidates will have to pass a health evaluation and an interview.
Rounds 3 and 4 will be reality-type shows broadcast on TV and the internet.
In Round 3, 20 to 40 candidates from each country will participate in "challenges" to demonstrate their suitability for the mission and the audience will choose a winner. Mars One will decide who else proceeds to the next round.
In Round 4, candidates will be split into international groups and will begin their training in a mock Mars outpost. Depending on their performance, some will be removed from the program individually or in groups until six groups of four remain.