Look at possible future of Mars, (Mars One)

No longer limited to the imaginations of astronauts and moviemakers, Mars may become a space colony for some of these lucky applicants in the not-too-distant future. 

"We're extremely appreciative and impressed with the sheer number of people who submitted their applications," said co-founder Bas Lansdorp. 

Last summer over 200,000 applicants created videos explaining why they wanted to go to Mars. Sponsored by the Netherlands-based non-profit, Mars One, the contest is looking for people physically, mentally, and emotionally equipped to become human ambassadors to the Red Planet.  

Starting in 2024, Mars One plans to send groups of four people to Mars every other year in hopes of creating a permanent human settlement. The organization claims that its goal is to “captivate and inspire generations” based on a plan arrived at through the integration of “technical, financial, social-psychological and ethical components.”

The Los Angeles Times reported that “the pool of selected applicants includes 472 women and 586 men. More than half of them are under the age of 35, but 26 are over the age of 56. The oldest applicant to move on to the next round is 81.”

107 countries http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/mars-picks-1058-potential-astronauts-mi... " target="_blank">are represented among the continuing applicants—with the most applicants (297) hailing from the United States, followed by Canada (75) and then India (62). 

The founders of Mars One plan to fund the project—with an estimated $6 billion price tag—by creating a reality TV show about the future astronauts. How could rich housewives or spray tanned 20-somethings from the Jersey Shore compete with the first people to colonize another planet?

"I respect their interest and wish them well, but I really just don't take them seriously," John Spencer, the founder of the Space Tourism Society told ABC News. "I have a bet with a friend of mine whether it's two or three years before Mars One fades away."

Contact Executive Producer Sara Newman here. Follow her on Twitter.