The vision for life on Mars.
Image Credit: Mars One
May 09, 2014 - 8:24 AM
KAMLOOPS – Only 705 people in the world can say they’re in the running for a trip to Mars – Raine Light is one of them.
The 30-year-old Kamloops paramedic applied for the Mars One project last year because it peaked her interest.
“Whenever I see something really interesting I want to learn more; I want to participate. So I sent in my application, not really expecting it to go this far.” Light said.
Mars One is a company with a mandate to colonize the red planet. Last year, the project advertised four spots open to members of the public to train as astronauts and eventually live on Mars. The company received over 200,000 applications.
To pare candidates down, the selection process included a personality test and an extensive medical application, which Light says involved “poking and proding" every part of her body.
Light currently waits on an email from Mars One outlining her next assessment — a panel interview with the selection committee. Once a network deal is secured, the company will broadcast the interviews.
In the meantime, Light’s attitude is to keep living and working as if she may not be going on the trip at all, although she has made some changes to her routine.
“I’m working out more; I’m taking care of myself” she said.
“I still have a lot of life left to live. If this project doesn’t happen for me then I don’t want to have wasted my time holding out.”
Time is a valuable currency Light would donate if she were selected; the trip to Mars is one-way.
She says there is only one thing that would change her mind from going — a family of her own.
Light’s friends and extended family have been supportive of her endeavour, but the possibility of saying goodbye forever leaves a different impression on Light’s mother.
“My mother says ‘you can go with this as far as you can until you have to climb into a shuttle and then you’re not climbing into that shuttle,’” Light said with a laugh.
Once the crew is selected, a ten year training period will commence. The departure is set for 2024.
PACKING FOR MARS
Here is a list of Light’s top things she would pack on her trip:
- A Kindle
- Chocolate
- Movies
- A good pillow
- A sense of humour
What would you pack? What are your thoughts of Light’s trip to Mars?
To contact a reporter for this story, email gbrothen@infotelnews.ca, or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014