Folsom Woman One Of 100 People With A Chance At One-Way Trip To Mars
FOLSOM (CBS13) — A Folsom woman made the cut to become one of the first people who could go on a mission to Mars forever.
While there are still a few more rounds to go, Kristin Richmond is now just one of 100 people and one of just 50 women who could be picked to take a one-way trip out of this world.
The process started with more than 200,000 applicants from around the world hoping to be part of a mission to colonize Mars.
"I'm shocked that I made it this far," she said. "It's more real now than it's ever been."
The 32-year-old got the good news via email last week after she had to endure a grueling face-to-face interview.
"I think I did really good on the questions explaining why I was interested in going, how my experiences and my life are going to better qualify me for the trip," she said.
The mission to Mars will carry a carefully selected team of four people to move and colonize the planet.
"They are looking for people who are team players, who are committed and who are willing to learn new things," she said.
Richmond says the project appeals to her because the goal is to use what they learn on Mars to make things better on Earth. She currently works as a civil engineer for the state, but says she always wanted to do something bigger with her life.
"This, when I saw it, gave direction and purpose to my energy. But I think if it doesn't work out, I'll probably just keep looking," she said.
Richmond would leave behind her husband and family who she says have been supportive so far.
"Leaving all of this behind would be really hard, but as far as everything goes right now, I think I'll be able to do it," she said.
She's excited for the next step in her space journey, but for now she'll keep her eye on a destination from afar.
REPORTER: There's the potential you could die out there.
RICHMOND: But what a cool way to go, right?
She says six teams of four people will be selected by next year. They will all go through eight years of physical and mental training before one of the teams will be chosen to leave for Mars in 2024.