Life On Mars

I have always been a nerd for space, from a lifelong obsession with space sci-fi movies, to taking astrophysics classes in college, a voracious appetite for all space-related news articles, and a fascination with initiatives to send humans out of Earth’s atmosphere. In our lifetime, the focus of the scientific community is centered around sending humans to the Red Planet. When I heard about the Mars One initiative in the early 2010’s, I was enthralled. They announced plans to send a team of four civilians on a one-way trip to build a Mars colony, and opened up a global search for volunteers. What kind of person would offer themselves up for such a journey? I had long conversations with friends about whether we would accept the opportunity if given the chance. I tracked down Leila Zucker, one of the remaining finalists in the search, to hear her story.

Unfortunately the Mars One initiative went bankrupt and dissolved in 2019. The would-be astronauts never got their chance. However I still continue to be inspired by people like Leila, who would literally risk it all for a chance to help push humankind closer toward a space-faring society.

This is episode one of a three-part documentary series chronicling mankind’s various efforts to put humans on Mars.