Ukrainian marsonavt about money for flying in the USA and eating insects

Sergey Yakimov. Photos from your personal facebook page

Sergey Yakimov - one of the six Russian-language finalists of the Mars One project. In nine years, he plans to fly to Mars and establish a colony there. Forum spoke with a 28-year-old engineer who until recently worked at the Ukrainian Space Research Institute, and has now returned to his parents in Zhitomir. There, Sergei studies programming, prepares to travel to America for the third stage of selection and is looking for sponsors who would help him pay for his trip.

Sergey Yakimov at the finish of the half marathon. Photo facebook.com/sergii.iakymov.9

Many critics consider the Mars One project unviable. What do you think?

С report I am familiar with the students at MIT. I want to add that in this report the aspect that the colonists will produce oxygen for themselves is missed. Therefore, there is no need to ventilate it outside the module. All technical issues are handled by Paragon Space Development life support system suppliers.

Have you met the creators of Mars One?

More than a year ago, Bass Landdorp came to Kiev and met with all Ukrainian applicants for show “It concerns everyone” on the Inter TV channel. After the show, the participants were able to talk with Bass for a couple of hours.

You know that the creators of Mars One do not understand the technical side of the issue?

I am sure that in all large companies the owners do not understand the technical aspects. For this there are experts who trust these questions. In this case, the technical part is performed by serious companies, one of them is Space X.

Do you communicate with someone from other participants?

Yes, sure. A closed group has been created on Facebook for all project participants. In it we periodically correspond, exchange scientific information and simply interesting facts. The language of communication is English.

Sergey Yakimov in the Carpathians Photo: Facebook

You have selected a hundred applicants. Now what?

The third phase will be held in the fall or winter of this year [in the US state of Utah, based on the Mars Desert Research Station]. It is a test of teamwork. Will create an international group of 10-15 people and will observe the interaction [within the group].

Tell us about the financial side of the issue. Who pays a trip to the next stage of selection in America? What do the organizers and other participants say?

Nobody says anything for sure. I asked the question whether I need to pay for the flight and other expenses myself. Only one candidate answered me [in the Facebook group] that they should pay for us. I haven’t calculated how much the road will cost yet. I asked people who fly to the USA - it costs them about $5. I included the return flight, visa application, accommodation, food, and travel within the country. I'll return the change.

What did you do at the Space Research Institute?

Developed documentation for satellite projects. The experiment was supposed to be conducted on a Ukrainian satellite, but due to the situation in the country, this process stopped.

Do you consider yourself a celebrity?

Nothing made famous yet.

How do you like to eat insects and algae? Are you training?

I am fine with this perspective, I hope I’m getting used to it. But neither cook nor eat insects and algae did not try. But the plants eat every day.

Do you have a girlfriend or wife?

Not. If it were, I would not deal with the project at one end. That is why in the next 10 years I do not plan a serious relationship. I will remain a bachelor.

What do you think about life on Mars?

I do not expect to meet green men there. Life can be at the level of bacteria and amoebas, no more.