Free Republic

Mars One was split into two ventures, the non-profit Mars One Foundation and the for-profit Mars One Ventures. The Swiss-based Ventures AG was declared bankrupt by a Basel court on January 15th and was, at the time, valued at almost $100 million. Mars One Ventures PLC, the UK-registered branch, is listed as a dormant company with less than £20,000 in its accounts. There is no data available on the non-profit Mars One Foundation, which funded itself by charging its commercial partner licensing fees. Speaking to Engadget, Bas Lansdorp said that the Foundation is still operating, but won't be able to...

A Saudi sheikh has issued a fatwa against anyone wanting to travel to Mars. The Mars One Foundation, a private, nonprofit organisation seeking to establish a permanent, occupied settlement on Mars by 2023 has apparently not found favor with higher ups in the Religion of Peace. In fact Sheikh Ali al Hemki has issued a fatwa against the organization and its plan, claiming the proposed mission “does not conform to ‘responsible Muslim’ practices.” (1) With the exception of beheading infidels, abusing females and killing anyone who disagrees with them, does ANYTHING conform to “responsible Muslim practices?” More importantly, ARE there...