Keasbey resident is finalist for trip to red planet

For years, scientists have considered whether humans can survive on other planets. But for Cassandra Morphy of the Keasbey section of Woodbridge, the chance to find out might become a reality.

Morphy, along with reportedly 200,000 other people from across the world, filled out an online application to become a finalist for a one-way trip to Mars in 2025.

The trip is being planned by Mars One, a Dutch organization that aims to begin colonization on the planet with an unmanned mission scheduled for 2022, according to its website. Mars One plans to send the first crew in 2025 and release more crews every two years.

Morphy is one of 100 finalists 50 men and 50 women selected for the mission. The data analyst said this has been something she has dreamed about since she was young.

I have been wanting to go to Mars since I was 14 and read a novel about a group of people colonizing the planet, the 32-year-old said. I always found it to be particularly exciting.

Knowing that Morphy had a great interest in things that are rather out of this world, a colleague of Morphys informed her about the Mars One mission.

The online application phase for the mission began two years ago, and I applied immediately, she said.

Morphy said her family and friends have given her a lot of support.

My family and friends are mostly excited for me. After all, my sister already thinks Im an alien, she quipped.

The 100 finalists will be shortened to 24 finalists this fall. Those finalists will undergo rigorous training to mentally and physically prepare for the mission, according to Morphy.

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Keasbey resident is finalist for trip to red planet