Bas Lansdorp, M.Sc., Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer (Netherlands)

Bas Lansdorp has never been one to let bold ventures intimidate him. A born entrepreneur, he sees potential and opportunity where others shy away. Gifted with an articulate vision and genuine enthusiasm, he moves people with his passion for science and the human mission to Mars.

Lansdorp received his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Twente University in 2003. For five years Lansdorp worked at Delft University of Technology and in 2008 founded Ampyx Power in order to develop a new, viable method of generating wind energy. Lansdorp sold his majority interest in Ampyx in 2011 in order to launch Mars One, Lansdorp's dream for many years.

“Since we started Mars One in March 2011, we received support from scientists, engineers, businessmen and –women and aeropace companies from all over the world. The announcement of our plan in May 2012 resulted in the engagement of the general public, and the support from sponsors and investors. To see our mission evolve this way feels like my dream is becoming a reality."

Arno A. Wielders, M.Sc., Co-Founder & Chief Technical Officer (Netherlands)

Arno Wielders received his Master of Science in Physics from the Free University of Amsterdam in 1997. He was soon hired by the Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, to work at Dutch Space in the Very Large Telescope Interferometer Delay Line project. In 2002 he received his TWAIO (two years, advanced graduate research) certificate and started as a research scientist at the Space Department of TNO TPD in Delft. At TNO TPD he was involved in the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) project launched by NASA. In 2005 he founded Space Horizon and investigated the concept of a suborbital spaceport on the Dutch island of Curacao. 

In his work with the European Space Agency (ESA), Arno performed in the following capacities:

• BepiColombo (mission to the planet Mercury) science team as instrument scientist (2005-2007).
• Payload study manager for the mission studies Cross Scale, a constellation of satellites orbiting the Earth for magnetosphere research (2007-2009).
• Payload study manager for the mission study JUICE, mission to Jupiter (2009-2011).

In addition, Wielders participated in the Human Exploration Architecture review of ESA and in 1998 co-founded the Mars Society Nederland (part of the international Mars Society) with the intent of promoting and supporting a human mission to the Red planet. Currently he is a volunteer for the Planetary Society and organises, together with the Netherlands Association for Spaceflight many space related events.

He currently divides his time between Mars One and working at the European Space Technology and Research Centre (ESTEC) of the European Space Agency as a payload study manager for new planetary mission studies and as a payload systems engineer for the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer mission.

"I believe mankind is destined to be a multi-planet species, to move beyond the confines of our home planet. To work with Mars One is to be a living part of this incredible undertaking."

Bryan Versteeg, Mission Concept Artist (Canada)

Bryan Versteeg has worked for over 20 years in the graphics industry, specifically 15 years as a conceptual artist in the architectural and engineering fields.

For the past six years, Versteeg has worked as an independent artist and in 2011 founded Spacehabs.com in order to focus on the conceptual visualization for space exploration. Versteeg is responsible for all the beautiful animations and illustrations on the Mars One website.

"I'm extremely excited about this project. I have always worked in the architectural field, but my passion is with design for space missions. Mars One struck me as technically feasible and financially sound. I am proud to be a part of this exciting company."

Suzanne Flinkenflögel, M.A., Director of Communications (Netherlands)

Flinkenflögel graduated in 2005 in International Business Communications and Spanish at the University of Nijmegen. Flinkenflögel brings to Mars One her working knowledge and experience in online marketing, social media and web analytics.

Before Mars One Flinkenflögel worked as a Marketing Manager for Dutch hosting provider Byte Internet. In her spare time, she works as a voluntary coach at the 1%Club, a crowd-sourcing platform that connects smart development projects third world countries with people, funds, and knowledge around the world.

"I realized this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I just decided to go for it! I mean, seriously, could you say no if you got the chance to become involved in organizing a manned mission to Mars?! I'm looking forward to each and every step on the way to the first human arrival on Mars--would love for you to get involved and share this adventure!"

Norbert Kraft, M.D., Chief Medical Officer (USA)

Norbert Kraft, M.D., USA. Dr. Kraft received the 2010 Award for “Outstanding Accomplishments in the Psychological and Psychiatric Aspects of Aerospace Medicine”. He has over 17 years of experience in aviation and aerospace research and development. His primary area of expertise is developing physiological and psychological countermeasures to combat the negative effects of long-duration spaceflight. Dr. Kraft’s experiences span Europe, Asia, and the United States, where he has worked for several international space agencies, including the Russian Space Agency and the Japanese Space Agency.

Dr. Kraft completed a 110 day isolation chamber project as commander of an international mixed gender crew and a spaceflight simulation experiment in Moscow, Russia. Since 2002, Dr. Kraft’s research at NASA has been developing new approaches to enhance team performance for exploration missions, to enable distributed crews to respond to unanticipated problems and to collaborate effectively under task stressors associated with space missions. Dr. Kraft is an author of over 40 papers in the field of aerospace medicine, including a seminal paper on intercultural crew issues in long-duration spaceflight. He has an M.D. from University of Vienna, Austria, and is a Fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association.

For Mars One, Dr. Kraft will be instrumental in shaping a world wide selection procedure that will result in the best candidates for the settlement on Mars.

"Through Mars One, the world will be given the chance to fulfill it’s space exploration dreams and to do something that has not been done since humans set foot on the moon. Mars One is going to provide an opportunity for scientists worldwide to work together and to achieve what previously has seemed impossible: to travel to Mars and to settle there. It is a privilege to join the Mars One team and I look forward to help this outstanding endeavor forward."

Marieke Wagensveld, M.A., Communications Specialist (Netherlands)

Marieke Wagensveld graduated from Utrecht University. In addition to a major in American Studies, she has studied journalism for two years, and completed minors in world history, history of science and several languages.

Wagensveld provides Mars One with extensive writing experience, a critical eye and a good dose of enthusiasm. In addition to her work at Mars One, Wagensveld is citizen councilor at the city council of her municipality.

"Sometimes, the actions of a small number of people can change our world. If you and I want to achieve something, we have to start by looking at what we can do ourselves. This is the foundation Mars One is grounded on. The technology to travel to Mars and build a base are already available. We should not wait for politicians to decide if we want to go to Mars, we should look at ourselves and see what we can do to make it possible. Or, in the words of Einstein: “You never fail unless you stop trying.""

Eiso Vaandrager, MSc, MBA, Chief Financial Officer (Netherlands)

Eiso Vaandrager has 12 years of tech & finance experience, including 6 years of entrepreneurial experience and 4 years of venture capital experience. Vaandrager is a principal at the cleantech fund of Wermuth Asset Management, he has worked as an investment director of e2 Cleantech1 since April 2008, sourcing deals, conducting due diligence, providing finical and strategic support to portfolio companies and supporting additional fundraising rounds.
While joining e2 Cleantech1, Vaandrager was finalizing his MBA at the Rotterdam School of Management with an exchange to Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley. Prior to that, Vaandrager was a shareholder and a commercial director of Formula Zero, a start-up company focussed on developing the first fuel cell powered go-kart competition.
He studied Industrial Design Engineering at Delft University of Technology and graduated at Shell Global Solutions. During his studies Vaandrager was a part of the core team that built the first Dutch solar car, which won the World Solar Challenge in 2001. Vaandrager has been a team member of TEDxAmsterdam since 2009, and was one of the acton leaders at TEDxSummit in Doha. In his spare time Vaandrager builds rockets at the Tripoli High Power Rocket association.

"I believe that we can only solve the challenges on our earth by dreaming big. While the previous generation had the moon landing as a defining moment, we only have a new iphone to look out to. Mars One has the potential to bring together the whole human race and make us rise to the challenges ahead with curiosity, creativity and mutual respect."

Beatrice Casagrande, M.Sc., Marketing Manager (Italy)

Beatrice Casagrande achieved a Master's Degree in Marketing and Communication at Alma Graduate School in Bologna, Italy.

She’s a creative professional always looking for new ways to innovate. Casagrande is an online media enthusiast and she believes in co-creation and co-working with users.

Before joining Mars One she worked on several international projects like Drive Me, a competition among TNT Express drivers worldwide about customer service, eco and safe driving. She's experienced in strategic planning, community building and content management.

In her free time Casagrande voluntarily helps small entrepreneurs to improve their marketing and communication strategies.

"If we truly believe in something and we work hard to make things happen there’s nothing we can’t achieve. Mars One is the living proof of that. It all started with a dream, which is now shared by many people and we believe that this dream can actually become reality."

Aashima Dogra, M.Sc., M.Tech, Editorial Manager (India)

Aashima Dogra is a science writer with experience as a foreign correspondent in London covering developments in the international scientific community for an Indian newspaper. Besides space missions she has reported on astronomy, psychology, climate change, physics, health and world affairs. She studied Scientific Research and Communication at the University of Warwick in England and has a background in Biotechnology.

"The earth is not flat and neither is it the center of the universe. Humans realized this some time ago but our tendency to be fearful has distracted us from our more real desire to explore. Mars One rises to the occasion. This mission is not just the team’s vision but also everybody else’s. The best part of working on the project is that everyday starts and ends with a lot of motivation."

Nina Aziz, M.A., LLB, Chief Commercial Officer (Malaysia)

Nina Aziz is a seasoned International business builder and serial-entrepreneur. She is enthusiastic about breaking new grounds and building new ventures from scratch. She possesses over 10 years of International licensing and business development experience (in over 30 countries) especially in the area of technology, internet, media and entertainment. 

Nina holds an M.A. in Publishing from The University of the Arts, London and Law LLB (hons) from University of London. She also completed her Barrister exams in the United Kingdom (Gray's Inn). Nina is a global-citizen with a Malaysian passport.

At Interplanetary Media Group, Nina is responsible for the raising of finance through licensing of the Mars One intellectual property assets (brand and media content) as well as sponsorship and strategic partnerships.

"I feel privileged to be part of the "dream very big, act even bigger", eclectic and passionate team at Mars One. We are paving the next giant leap for mankind, to continue to inspire and broaden the human spirit! I am in accord with the surrealists, searching for the marvellous!"

 

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