Moncton's Claude Gauthier loses Mars One bid
A Moncton man who hoped to be chosen for a one-way mission to Mars has been eliminated from the selection process.
Claude Gauthier, a science professor at the University of Moncton, was one of more than 200,000 people from 140 countries who applied to join Mars One — a $6-billion project that aims to establish a permanent human colony on Mars by 2025.
Gauthier, 61, made it to the top 660, but his name does not appear on a short list released on Monday of the 100 people who have made it to the third round.
Although he knew being accepted would have meant he would never return to Earth, he's still disappointed, he said.
"I’m a scientist and I always wanted to be an astronaut since I was very young. When I saw Americans walking on the moon, I [wanted] to be with them and now I’m 61 and I’m still a dreamer," he told CBC News.
"I [lived] with the idea of maybe leaving Earth for about two years. This process started in March 2013, and now I know that’s over for me. I feel a little bit bad about that."
The 100 hopefuls — 50 men and 50 women — were selected after participating in personal online interviews with Norbert Kraft, chief medical officer.
During the interviews, the candidates had a chance to show their understanding of the risks involved, team spirit and their motivation to be part of this life changing expedition.
Six Canadians are on the short-list.
The following selection rounds will focus on composing teams that can endure all the hardships of a permanent settlement on Mars, officials said.
Candidates like Gauthier, who were not selected to continue, will have an opportunity to reapply in a new application round this year to train candidates that can replace eliminated teams and join the crews of settlers that will leave Earth to live on Mars.
Gauthier says he's still thinking about whether to reapply.
Mars One is planning to send its first crew off to the Red Planet in 2024. Crews of four will follow every two years.
