Bas Lansdorp

Bas Lansdorp is a Dutch entrepreneur who is best known as the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mars One, a private not-for-profit spaceflight foundation. His goal is to put humans on Mars in 2023 using current available technology funded by a world-wide media event of the process.

Education & Early Career
Lansdorp received his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Twente University in 2003. For five years Lansdorp worked at Delft University of Technology and in 2008 founded Ampyx Power in order to develop a new, viable method of generating wind energy. Lansdorp sold his majority interest in Ampyx in 2011 in order to launch Mars One, Lansdorp's dream for many years.

Mars One
Bas Lansdorp came up with the idea of establishing the first permanent human colony on Mars during his studies at the University of Twente. His primary focus was not on overcoming the technological challenges as he has stated that the technology to make it to Mars already exists. His idea for funding the mission and supplying well-qualified candidates is centered on an initial Astronaut Selection Process followed by a world-wide televised event in which everyone will be able to vote for which members and teams they think should go to Mars.

Until 2013, he financed almost the entire project himself. Currently, Mars One has at least one supplier for every component that the mission will need.

Quotes
“''Since we started Mars One in March 2011, we received support from scientists, engineers, businessmen and –women and aerospace companies from all over the world. The announcement of our plan in May 2012 resulted in the engagement of the general public, and the support from sponsors and investors. To see our mission evolve this way feels like my dream is becoming a reality.''"

''“This will be one of the biggest events in human history. We are talking about creating a major media spectacle, much bigger than the moon landings or the Olympics."''