As the SpaceX Dragon mission to the International Space Station comes to a successful close, the future of space travel comes a bit closer. That's good news for NASA and America's refocused space program. But they better not get too comfortable with their accomplishments so far, another company already has plans for a human settlement on Mars by 2023.

Mars One plans to send the first crew of four astronauts on a seven-month journey to Mars by April 2023 to establish the first human settlement. Sending a new team to the settlement every two years, the plan calls for over 20 humans to live and work on the red planet by 2033.

"A manned mission to Mars is one of the most exciting, inspiring and ambitious adventures that mankind can take on," says Mars One on its website. "We see this as a journey that belongs to us all, and it is for this reason that we will make every tread a step we take together."

To finance the operation, Mars One plans on bringing all of us along on the ride, watching and helping decide as the teams of settlers are selected, trained and prepared for the mission.
Secretly working out the plan since early 2011, the Mars One team has met with international aerospace companies who can design and deliver the essential hardware components for the Mars mission.

[Flickr photo by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center]

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