DHAKA: Over 8,000 Indians have so far signed up for the one-way trip to Mars and settle down on the red planet, as `Mars One` project plans to establish a colony there in the next 10 years.

`Mars One`, a not-for-profit foundation intends to establish a permanent human settlement on Mars in 2023 and is registering those interested to make it up there.

India stands fourth among other countries of the world with 8,107 applicants, as on August 27.

The top 10 countries to enrol are the USA (37,852), China (13,124), Brazil (8,686), India (8,107), Russia (7,138), Britain (6,999), Mexico (6,771), Canada (6,593), Spain (3,621) and Philippines (3,516) as on August 22, Aashima Dogra of `Mars One` told PTI.

With August 31 this year being the last date for registering, `Mars One` has already received interest from more than 1,65,000 people hoping to be the first humans on Mars.

"The Mars One Application Program is turning out to be the most desired job vacancy in the world. People from over 140 countries are looking towards the final frontier and envisioning their life on another planet," she said.

`Mars One` believes that human settlement on the red planet is possible with existing technologies and it plans to integrate components that are well tested and readily available from industry leaders worldwide.

"The first footprint on Mars and lives of the crew thereon will captivate and inspire generations; it is this public interest that will help finance this human mission to Mars," she said.

Source: NDTV
BDST: 0946 HRS, AUG 31, 2013
RS/MZR