More than 78,000 people from around the world have applied to be featured in the massive reality tv show Mars One, in which astronauts will embark in a mission to settle in Mars and never come back to Earth again.

The Mars One project plans to land 4 humans on Mars in 2023 and two years after that another group will join the settlement. The team plans to broadcast everything about the mission, from the selection of the astronauts, to the training and arrival on Mars.

This may sound exciting for many, and while the opportunity to bring them back to Earth is possible, it is most likely that they will live and work for for the remainder of their lives in the Red Planet.

Most applicants came from the United States with 17,324, followed by China (10,241), United Kingdom (3,581), Russia, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Argentina and India, Neatherlands-based organization Mars One said on its website.

"With seventy-eight thousand applications in two weeks, this is turning out to be the most desired job in history. These numbers put us right on track for our goal of half a million applicants," Mars One co-founder and CEO Bas Landsdorp said.

"Mars One is a mission representing all humanity and its true spirit will be justified only if people from the entire world are represented. I'm proud that this is exactly what we see happening."

"Applicants we have received come from a very wide range of personalities, professions and ages. This is significant because what we are looking for is not restricted to a particular background. From Round 1 we will take forward the most committed, creative, resilient and motivated applicants," said Dr. Norbert Kraft, Mars One Chief Medical Officer.

The deadline to apply is August 31st, 2013. Anyone 18-years-old or older are eligible for the mission.

Mars One estimates it will cost about $6 billion to land four people in Mars 10 years later.

Is it possible for Humans to Live in Mars?

According to the Mars One mission, the basic elements required for a viable living system such as water, are already present on Mars. Most of the challenges come with providing people safe living facilities, clean air and potable water, and the essentials for intellectual stimulation on a planet which is cold, desolate, and without many life giving qualities.

Tags: Mars One Mars Settlement