The preferred rocket, Falcon Heavy, has to yet to be tested by its makers, SpaceX, even though the Mars One plan calls for the first demonstration flight to land on Mars in 2016.

BBC: Prospect of one-way Mars trip captures the imagination

The Mars One plan has incredibly tight timings - possibly unrealistically tight.

BBC: Prospect of one-way Mars trip captures the imagination

With other students from across the world, they helped plan a Mars mission.

BBC: Isle of Man students plan Nasa Mars mission

"Without the Mars rock, we might not have Curiosity today, " said Hubbard, whose job as the "first Mars czar" was to plan the next decade of exploration.

CNN: What we've done on Mars, and what's next

Suppose I presented you with a plan to land an astronaut on Mars.

CNN: Both parties abandon the jobless

Recent setbacks in Nasa's exploration of the Red Planet have failed to dim the enthusiasm of a group of scientists who plan to build the world's first simulated Mars base.

BBC: Destination Mars on Earth