Virginia man says wife’s one-way trip to Mars is ‘bigger than me’

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A Virginia man spoke out about his wife’s decision to join a one-way mission to Mars in 2016.

Jason Stanford’s wife, Sonia Van Meter, was chosen to join 100 other explorers on a mission to colonize the planet, according to the New York Daily News.

Sanford wrote in a 4,000-word essay, published in Texas Monthly, that the quest is “bigger than me.”

“If it succeeds in its mission — establishing a sustainable colony on another planet — it would change the history of humanity by expanding our boundaries beyond this planet,” Stanford wrote.

Jason Stanford’s wife, Sonia Van Meter, was chosen to join 100 other explorers on a mission to colonize the planet.

Since the news about the mission was revealed, the couple has faced harsh public criticism. Many are asking how a mother of two could leave her family behind.

“She’s been asked how she could abandon me more times than most people have been asked if they want fries with that,” Sanford wrote.

Van Meter has not confirmed with 100 percent certainty that she will go.

A Virginia man is speaking out about his wife’s controversial decision to join a one-way mission to Mars in 2016.

The couple said they are just taking things one step at a time.

“We’re just an ordinary married couple in an extraordinary situation, and we’re taking it one small step for man at a time,” Stanford wrote.

When my wife, Sonia Van Meter, was chosen as one of the Mars One finalists, at first all I could see was my loss. Then I realized it’s humanity’s gain. So now I’m just taking it one small step for man at a time.

Read his full essay here.