Coverstory Celebrities compete in simulated Mars mission in ‘Stars on Mars’

Ever since Amazon magnate Jeff Bezos’ trip into space last year, there has been plenty of speculation about the rise of space tourism and which celebrities would be among the first to achieve liftoff. Well, for those wondering what it might look like to take things a step further and host a star-studded reality show in space, Fox has got you covered. The new series, “Stars on Mars,” premieres Monday, June 5.

Equal parts Bravo and Star Trek, “Stars on Mars” is hosted by Capt. Kirk himself, William Shatner (“Star Trek: The Original Series”). While not actually filmed in outer space (give that a few more years yet), the unscripted series follows a group of celebrities who must spend an entire summer on a simulated, Mars-like planet together. Constantly assigned tasks by mission control (Shatner, of course), each famous person will need to compete in a series of challenges with the aim of “colonizing” their out-of-this-world surroundings.

There is a good mix of skills among the 12-person crew, including actors, athletes, public figures and philanthropists. Actors Ariel Winter (“Modern Family”), Tallulah Willis (“The Whole Ten Yards,” 2004) and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (“Superbad,” 2007), for example, will be joined by reality TV stars Porsha Williams Guobadia (“The Real Housewives of Atlanta”) and Tom Schwartz (“Vanderpump Rules”), as well as singer/songwriter Tinashe (known for “2 On,” featuring ScHoolboy Q). Meanwhile, rounding out the more athletic side are Tour de France multi-champion Lance Armstrong, UFC champion Ronda Rousey, former Seattle Seahawk Marshawn Lynch, former NFL cornerback Richard Sherman and Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon. Comedian Natasha Leggero (“Another Period”) joins from a category of her very own.

In a news release, Fox executives laid out their hopes for the celebs on their “Martian” mission: “During their stay, they will be faced with authentic conditions that simulate life on Mars, and they must use their brains and brawn — or maybe just their stellar social skills — to outlast the competition and claim the title of ‘brightest star in the galaxy.’”

This “analog mission,” as NASA typically refers to these types of simulations, is filmed in the South Australian town of Coober Pedy, a red-sanded desert town nearly 850 kilometres north of Adelaide that is famous for its opals. And while each celebronaut voted “off the planet” during the competition does still need to return to the United States, there remains the small consolation that the flight home isn’t quite as long as that from actual Mars.

Don’t miss the launch of Shatner and crew’s next mission as “Stars on Mars” begins Monday, June 5, on Fox.