A 19-Year-Old Kerala Girl Might Go To Mars - And Never Come Back

Kerala girl Shradha Prasad's dream of settling down on Mars is inching towards reality, with the 19-year-old from Palakkad qualifying for the final round of selection for the "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity".

Her parents' only child, this mechanical engineering student is also the lone candidate based in India to be selected by Netherland-based Mars-One for the fourth round of the astronaut selection process, the organization announced on Monday.

Three other Indians have been selected, of which two are based in the US and one in Dubai. Speaking to TOI, Shradha, a student of Coimbatore's Amrita University said, "I am keen on settling down on Mars as I have a passion for space sciences and technology. This apart, I also enjoy taking risks and doing something adventurous. The one-way trip to Mars combines the two.

"Asked if she was confident of making it into the 24-member crew that will be selected to go to Mars, she replied: "After my success in the third round, my confidence has strengthened. I came to know on February 13 that I had passed. I was ecstatic. But we were not allowed to disclose it. "It will be tough leaving my family, friends and all my near and dear ones. Yes, I agree it will not be that easy. But, let me not forget that it will be an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Asked how her parents view the possibility of their only child permanently settling down on Mars, she said: "They think I am crazy. But, I am known for doing eccentric stuff. So, they are not surprised." Out of 202,586 applicants, 100 qualified for the third round. Of these, 24 will be chosen by Mars-One for the mission. Among the organization's advisors are two Indians — K R Sridhara Murthi, former head of Antrix Corporation, Isro's commercial arm, and aerospace expert Gautam Hariharan.

Mars-One is a non-profit organization based in the Netherlands. It aims to establish a permanent human settlement on Mars by offering a one-way trip to those selected. The current plan envisages crews of four departing every two years beginning 2024. The first unmanned flight is slated for lift-off in 2018. According to Mars-One, 50 men and 50 women passed the second round. The candidates came from across the world — 39 from the Americas, 31 from Europe, 16 from Asia, seven from Africa and seven from Oceania.