Current funding is coming from donations and sponsors from around the world. There is also the concept of using media publicity to gain funding to support the 6 billion US dollar project through a reality TV setup, recording the experience of life on Mars for the first colonists. So far the project has almost received $60,000 in funding from donations alone and it is labeled as a non-profit organization.
The colony would consist of different lander units that would be sent out in advance followed by a final lander unit containing the colonists in 2023. These landers would be linked to connect stations for cargo, life support, communications, inflatable living quarters, and martian rovers. The suits used for this as well will be more flexible than current models focusing more on maneuverability as the contrasting pressure between the inside and outside of the suit will not be as high as compared to the ones used in Earth's orbit.
These suits currently cost about $100,000 a piece.
http://www.spacehabs.com/424528/mars-one/
Here is a link to a slideshow of the concepts for the Mars One colony.
Personally, I am for the idea of human colonization on other planets. My main concern though is the reliance on media to gain funding for the project, the last thing we would need is a reality show on Mars. Who gets voted off the planet this week? I figure that the media group that would be used for this though would be professional enough to not have to sell this endeavor of humanity as a game of survivor. The people in this will be facing troubles as bad as if not worse than some of the most difficult terrains on our planet and the last thing they would need is a producer telling them that they aren't being edgy enough.
Hopefully as well, more countries will become genuinely interested in this as well and would sign on to join. With government support working alongside private support, there may be stronger chances for this to become a reality. They stated that some of the first parts of the project will begin launching in 2016. This time schedule is a little rushed for a space endeavor and hopefully they will be able to meet it.
Resources
http://mars-one.com/en/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_One
This really interesting. I would like to be one of those people who gets to go to Mars. I agree about the media thing - why do they have to ruin something so interesting and important with reality t.v. of all things? That is just what we need is another Survivor or Real Housewives. But I guess it will be better on Mars.
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