Moncton professor one step closer to moving to Mars
Friday, May 2, 2014, 6:37 PM -
When the plans for Mars One were first announced, more than 200,000 people willingly signed up for the chance of take a one-way trip to colonize Mars.
Most of the volunteers have since had their dreams dashed by the rigorous selection process, but at least one fortunate Canadian is still in the running.
Claude Gauthier is Université de Moncton professor and has been selected for the next round of interviews. He is one of 700 that are one step closer to potentially being the first to walk on the Red Planet.
“I’m an adventurer, but also a scientist,” The 61-year-old professor says. “I want to explore new worlds and territories.”
The complicated mission involves launching communication satellites, about 2500 kilograms of food in a modified spacecraft, an exploration vehicle to pick a settlement location and finally six groups of four colonists each with specific, individualized skills and responsibilities. The first group should arrive by 2023, with another group arriving every two years after that.
RELATED: NASA photo captures mysterious light on Mars
The scope of the project is unlike anything done before. Gauthier admits that his life has changed since applying to the mission.
“I look differently at my family, I listen more attentively to Nature,” he says. “I realized what a wonderful world we have. Compared to this, Mars is so poor. I think it will be like Antartica appeared to its first explorers.”
Gauthier believes his experience as a university professor has given him a sensibility and an open mind toward anything he may encounter along the way.
“My experience as a scientist has given me the capability to manage unexpected situations,” Gauthier explains. “Also, I’m a good handyman. I have built houses [and] invented new instruments.”
After this round of interviews, only 50 will continue on to chase their dream of space exploration. The final crew won’t be announced till 2015.
While Gauthier is excited about the possibility, there are many dangers attached to such a mission.
“My major concern would be having a safe landing at the destination,” he says. “Next would be to be able to grow enough vegetables to sustain our group of people.”
If Gauthier were selected, it would mean leaving Earth forever. The Université de Moncton professor knows exactly what he would do before making that sacrifice.
“Before leaving Earth, I would embrace all my family,” he says. “And I would like to see one last time the trees along the St. Lawrence River.”
