WASHINGTON — Six local would-be Mars explorers are among the 100 finalists chosen to live — and die — on the Red Planet.

Of more than 200,000 people who have applied to be part of the Dutch nonprofit Mars One project, the group has whittled the number to 100 who are still in the running for the flight, which is expected to leave Earth in 2024.

With its bold goal, and an initial projected cost of $6 billion, Mars One has received criticism, as being medically, technically, and financially implausible.

The 100 were chosen after interviews with Norbert Kraft, Mars One’s chief medical officer, based on the candidate’s devotion to the cause, and willingness to leave everything behind,  according to The Washington Post.

“The astronauts will live together in a group for the rest of their lives,” Kraft said.

Of the 50 men and 50 women remaining, 38 live in the United States.

Ten would-be participants from Washington, Virginia, and Maryland were eliminated earlier.[related_gallery align=”right”]