The sole Italian to make the
final cut from 200,000 applicants for a one-way trip to Mars
says his motivation is to make history.
"I want to be the first, because only the first astronaut
on Mars will live in eternal memory," Pietro Aliprandi, 25, from
Conegliano Veneto in northeastern Italy, told La Repubblica
newspaper.
He is among the 100 finalists for the 'Mars One' mission
that will reportedly settle on 24 candidates who will comprise
six teams of four astronauts to be sent to the red planet.
On its website, Mars One explains it will use existing
technology and estimates costs at about $6 billion, which it is
attempting to raise through donations.
The next step for the 100 applicants are various
team-building exercises and later, tests to see if they can cope
with isolation.
A Dutch non-profit organization, Mars One has said it hopes
to establish a colony on Mars and plans to send a team every two
years beginning in 2024.
It estimates the trip there would take about seven months
and life expectancy on Mars would be about 68 days.
Aliprandi is undeterred.
"Every space mission is risky," said Aliprandi who, on the
Mars One website, said he is finishing medical school in Trieste
and enjoys martial arts, theatre and opera.
But he said he was confident that unmanned test missions
will help to ensure the safety of Mars-bound crews once they
begin.
"I see my trip more as the stellar 'ark' like in the film
Pandorum," said Aliprandi.
The work of Mars One will resemble a science-based reality
television program that will improve understanding, he added.
"Mars One is not Big Brother," he said, refering to a
popular TV reality show.
"There will be morbidity," said Aliprandi.
"If anything, it's a reality show where the audience will
learn something scientific.
He said that he was not afraid even though the plan is for
one-way trips only.
"I do not have a plan B. I will go to Mars. I send you a
postcard from there," said Aliprandi.
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