London – Mars One and multi-award winning factual producer DSP (an Endemol company) announced on June 2 that they have entered an international partnership to screen the mission to send the world’s first one way astronauts to Mars.
DSP becomes the exclusive worldwide production partner for the Mars One astronaut selection and training programme, which will see people from all walks of life undergo one of the most extraordinary and challenging assessment processes ever seen.
705 highly motivated candidates, shortlisted from over 200,000 who applied to become future inhabitants of Mars, will be tested to the extreme as part of an elite training programme run by a panel comprised of pre-eminent scientists, adventurers and astronauts.
In order to qualify for the mission, each individual must demonstrate that they have acquired the intricate knowledge and skills as well as the high levels of psychological and physical performance needed for the most long distance voyage humankind has ever embarked upon.
DSP will document the aspiring pioneers’ astonishing journeys every step of the way in the lead up to the mission, which will see the winners become the first to make the 300 million-mile, one way trip to establish permanent human life on the red planet.
Human settlement on Mars is possible today with existing technologies and Mars One’s mission plan integrates components that are well tested and readily available from industry leaders worldwide. However, no return trip can be made. Instead Mars One will send additional crews every two years to further build the pioneering colony.
With the astronaut selection process already underway, the first instalments of DSP’s landmark production are expected to begin broadcasting around the world in early 2015. Further details and announcements are due to follow soon.
Bas Lansdorp, Co-founder & CEO of Mars One said, “Bringing the story of our incredibly brave aspiring Martians to the world now officially begins with what we feel is a perfect partnership. Our team felt all along that we needed a partner whose strength lies in factual storytelling to an international audience. DSP will provide that to Mars One, while allowing our selection committee to maintain control of the applicant selection process. This really is a perfect fit for both of us!”
Iain Riddick, DSP’s Head of Special Projects and Digital Media, comments: “It is a great privilege for DSP to be chosen to exclusively follow the incredible journeys of those who will make humankind’s first footprint on Mars. This has to be the world’s toughest job interview for what is without question a world-first opportunity and the human stories that emerge will captivate and inspire generations across the globe.”
DSP has a long established reputation for producing world class television programmes and theatrical documentaries for UK, U.S. and international broadcasters. The company has achieved global industry recognition for its ground breaking output and has received more than 40 industry awards, including accolades from BAFTA, The Peabody Awards, The Royal Television Society and the U.S. Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences.
Credits include: The Mill (Channel 4), Richard III: The King in the Car Park (Channel 4); How to Build a Bionic Man (Channel 4 and Smithsonian Channel); Earth From Space (NOVA and Discovery Canada), Hawking (PBS and Channel 4); Dead or Alive (National Geographic Channels International Wild); Nazi Megastructures (National Geographic Channel) and Neil Armstrong: First Man on the Moon (BBC Two).
DSP is part of Endemol, a content creator with a global network of operations in over 30 countries including the USA, the UK, Spain, Italy, France, Germany and the Netherlands, as well as Latin America, India, Israel, South Africa and Australia.
