Dr. Joseph Roche, one of the finalists in the Mars One
project, recently had this to say about the vetting process he underwent to be
considered for the trip to Mars:
...all the info they have collected on me is a crap video I made, an application form that I filled out with mostly one-word answers… and then a 10-minute Skype interview...That is just not enough info to make a judgment on someone about anything.
After reading his
story in Matter, titled Mars One Finalist Explains Exactly How It‘s Ripping Off Supporters, about the finances and priorities of Mars One, you can only ask
yourself if this is an honest venture or a publicity stunt with no hope of
going anywhere. Even the number of applicants is now in doubt, though this is
extreme interest has been part of the Mars One story from day one.
The project's recent loss of its television contract anddelays in robotic orders seemed to indicate some significant underlying
problems. And this new interview is
further unveiling some clear shortfalls.
I doubt NASA is selecting astronauts based on a 10 minute video
interview, and I cannot believe Mars One is doing so with any intent to take
these applicants anywhere other than a local television studio.
This is now time for Mars One to become transparent about
its program. If it is not a serious venture,
I think we should all here that now and move on to more viable projects.
