Life on Mars Julie Shilling p.4

Potentially life-giving water still flows across the ancient surface of Mars from time to time, NASA scientists said Monday in revealing a potential breakthrough in both the search for life beyond Earth and human hopes to one day travel there. NASA researchers using an imager aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter confirmed the water flows by looking at light waves returned from seasonal dark streaks on the surface, long suspected to be associated with liquid water. It is the first potential clue that Mars could have once -- or may still -- host life.

I think this discovery is amazing, and how the space race has already began. A group has been established with 100 applicants in training to embark on a one way trip to Mars, leaving earth forever to try to establish life on mars. Out of the 100 in training only 24 will be chosen for this mission. The organization perusing this journey is called Mars One. Mars One has the goal of establishing a permanent human settlement on Mars. To prepare for this settlement the first unmanned mission is scheduled to depart in 2020. Crews will depart for their one way journey in 2026; subsequent crews will depart every 26 months after the initial crew has left for Mars. I think it is incredible just to know that there will be human life thriving on another planet in just a few decades.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/29/science/space/mars-life-liquid-water.html