So here's the deal, apparently there is a dutch non-profit company that is looking to send people to mars by 2022 and landing on mars 7 months later in the year 2023. leaving close to a decade for any space craft advancements to get there sooner. The first launch will take place either late this year (Time is running out) or early next year based on their "road map to mars," that will include building materials for the Mars Rover (A.K.A Curiosity) to build a suitable habitat for humans. There will be an estimated 3 launches of this kind leading up to the launch and transport of Humans to Mars. The current estimated cost is right around the ball park of 6 billion US dollars, for a total of 13 launches over the course of the next few decades, I assume this estimate to grow over the course of time as technology advances.
Now as for the "Marsnautes," they will be selected volunteers, 2 male and 2 female passengers per flight with 10 total flights. In other words that 40 Humans to touch down on Mars. You might be thinking about how they will be getting home by now, right? Here's the hitch, they aren't coming home. In fact they will be going home, yes those 40 people will be inhabitants to Mars. As per reasons to the flight and colonization, reasons are currently unknown but one can only assume (from media outlets anyway) that it is just another leap for mankind.
If in fact this all falls into place, this could very well be the biggest turning point in Mankind's history, right along the lines of the industrial revolution or nuclear fusion. At least I think so, looking at it from a strictly scientific aspect of course. Not only will we have successfully placed a small colony on another planet, but the technological advancements could prove to be the biggest leap in space exploration and space travel. Not including the off chance we have of actually terraforming a planet.
Please feel free to discuss!
Source: http://www.mars-one.com/en/