NASA Seeking Four Volunteers to Live in Simulated Martian Conditions for One Year
NASA is opening a unique opportunity for four volunteers to experience life under simulated Martian conditions for an entire year.
Applications are invited from anyone meeting NASA's requirements and ready to undertake serious scientific work.
For those interested in how astronauts on future Mars missions will live, NASA is now accepting volunteers for the task, with four spots available. The simulation will take place on Earth, so there will be no opportunity to wave at a faulty Ingenuity helicopter nor any need to worry about cosmic stowaways.
The program, named CHAPEA, is heading into its second iteration and will begin its one-year simulation in the spring of 2025, reports Gizmodo.
The chosen participants will inhabit a 1700 square-foot habitat printed using 3D technology, which is designed to accurately represent what humans can expect on Mars. The habitat will be located at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston and includes a kitchen, two bathrooms, a private bedroom, a work area, and a recreational space within its modest square footage.
Of course, there are criteria to be met before anyone just walks in: NASA is looking for healthy American residents (or those with the right to remain in the country) aged between 30 and 55 who have a master's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) field – and at least two years of relevant experience.
Those anticipating a laid-back reality TV experience might be in for a surprise: the simulation will encompass nearly every aspect of what actual astronauts on Mars will face, including simulated spacewalks, habitat maintenance, personal hygiene, physical exercise, and growing plants. Even though NASA's engineers at the Houston center will be meters away, a 22-minute communication delay the same as would be experienced from Mars is integrated into the experiment for authenticity. (This means in case of an emergency, the ground control would receive a distress signal 22 minutes later and responses would take an additional 22 minutes, not accounting for thinking time.)
The primary goal of the simulation is to assess the physical and mental impacts of long-duration stays on Mars on humans. NASA plans to carry out a total of three such simulations, so there will be future opportunities. Applications for the current recruitment are open until April 2nd, and interested individuals can apply through the specified website.
For those interested in how astronauts on future Mars missions will live, NASA is now accepting volunteers for the task, with four spots available. The simulation will take place on Earth, so there will be no opportunity to wave at a faulty Ingenuity helicopter nor any need to worry about cosmic stowaways.
The program, named CHAPEA, is heading into its second iteration and will begin its one-year simulation in the spring of 2025, reports Gizmodo.
The chosen participants will inhabit a 1700 square-foot habitat printed using 3D technology, which is designed to accurately represent what humans can expect on Mars. The habitat will be located at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston and includes a kitchen, two bathrooms, a private bedroom, a work area, and a recreational space within its modest square footage.
Of course, there are criteria to be met before anyone just walks in: NASA is looking for healthy American residents (or those with the right to remain in the country) aged between 30 and 55 who have a master's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) field – and at least two years of relevant experience.
Those anticipating a laid-back reality TV experience might be in for a surprise: the simulation will encompass nearly every aspect of what actual astronauts on Mars will face, including simulated spacewalks, habitat maintenance, personal hygiene, physical exercise, and growing plants. Even though NASA's engineers at the Houston center will be meters away, a 22-minute communication delay the same as would be experienced from Mars is integrated into the experiment for authenticity. (This means in case of an emergency, the ground control would receive a distress signal 22 minutes later and responses would take an additional 22 minutes, not accounting for thinking time.)
The primary goal of the simulation is to assess the physical and mental impacts of long-duration stays on Mars on humans. NASA plans to carry out a total of three such simulations, so there will be future opportunities. Applications for the current recruitment are open until April 2nd, and interested individuals can apply through the specified website.
