Anyone can move to another city, but who else can say they’ve lived on Mars?
NASA is looking for four lucky people to spend a year living in a simulated version of Mars, enduring harsh conditions and limited resources, as part of a research project.
The crew will be the second of three planned ground missions within the 1,700-square-foot Mars simulation called CHAPEA. [Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog]follows the first team on their first journey.
The 3D-printed planet, called Mars Dune Alpha, is located at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, but is designed to make the world feel far away, NASA said in the call for titles. . “I wanted a Martian.”
The crew will be confined within the habitat for approximately 365 days and are expected to perform “mission activities” such as collecting geological samples, exercising, and managing personal hygiene and health.
The fake astronauts will each have their own bedroom, and will share a kitchen, two bathrooms, a medical station, a work space, and a recreation area.
However, this mission isn’t all fun and games. Crew members will be minimizing contact with family and loved ones, and will be dealing with limited resources, quarantine periods, and equipment failure.
“This habitat simulates the challenges of a Mars mission, including resource limitations, equipment failure, communication delays, and other environmental stressors.” NASA said.
“Crew duties will include simulated spacewalks, robotic operations, habitat maintenance, exercise, and crop growing.”
The only limitation that the habitat cannot simulate is Mars’ gravity, which is about 38% of Earth’s surface gravity.
The mission is scheduled to begin in spring 2025, and interested organizations must apply by April 2.
To qualify, applicants must be “healthy and motivated” U.S. citizens or permanent residents between the ages of 30 and 55 and have a master’s degree in a STEM field or have completed 1,000 hours of aircraft operation. need to be.
NASA hasn’t disclosed their salaries, but in addition to free rental fees, crew members will also be paid for their work.
“Applicants must have a strong desire for unique and challenging adventures and an interest in contributing to NASA’s efforts to prepare for humanity’s first trip to Mars,” NASA said in a statement.
Six months into the simulation mission, the first CHAPEA team has already provided NASA with essential information about life on Mars, including crew health and performance support.
Research scientist Kelly Haston, structural engineer Ross Brockwell, emergency physician Nathan Jones, and U.S. Navy microbiologist Anca Serariu were trapped on the virtual planet in June.
NASA is planning a similar mission called Artemis to learn about the moon ahead of plans to send the first women, people of color, and international partner astronauts on actual missions.
