Stoneham Man Competes For One-Way Trip To Mars
STONEHAM (CBS) – Peter Degen-Portnoy of Stoneham is among the semifinalists competing for a one-way trip to Mars. If he wins, the first flight to the red planet could take off in 2024.
The Dutch non-profit Mars One plans to create a human settlement on Mars.
According to Mars One, there were a total of 202,586 applicants and only 100 have been selected to proceed to the next round. "I'm thrilled," Degen-Portnoy says. "A little scared."
He is hoping to be one of 24 people selected this fall to be trained for seven years before the mission.
The prospect of the one-way trip is not something his five children are thrilled about.
"That's the hardest part of the entire mission. I feel Mars One is incredibly important for humanity," Degen-Portney says, "and the assurance that we will be in constant communication with Earth and that I will be able to share experiences with my children is the aspect that makes it possible for me to consider being part of Mars One."
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports