The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) revealed this week that it is recruiting eligible persons to participate in a year-long expedition on a simulated version of the Red Planet.
The volunteers will live and work at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston, within Mars Dune Alpha, a 1,700-square-foot 3D-printed habitat.
"For the explorers, adventurers, and people who love science, this is a really unique and incredible opportunity to be able to contribute to science," said Suzanne Bell, NASA's Behavioural Health and Performance Laboratory lead at Johnson Space Centre.
The mission, the second of three planned programmes for the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analogue (CHAPEA), will last 378 days and commence in Spring 2025.
"We mimic what we expect for a Mars habitat surface mission," Bell went on to say. "We collect all sorts of data so we can learn how humans can survive and thrive in that circumstance."
The replicated Mars habitat will imitate the obstacles of a space journey. According to NASA, "resource limitations, equipment failures, communication delays, and other environmental stressors" will be part of the mission.
The four-person crew may expect "simulated spacewalks, robotic operations, habitat maintenance, exercise, and crop growth," according to the agency.
"Applicants should have a strong desire for unique, rewarding adventures and an interest in contributing to NASA's work to prepare for the first human journey to Mars," the agency stated in a press release on Friday.
To be eligible for the mission, you must be a healthy, non smoking United States citizen or permanent resident aged 30 to 55 who is fluent in English.
According to the organisation, applicants must have a master's degree in STEM with relevant expertise, or a minimum of 1,000 hours of aircraft piloting or military experience. The agency stated that a bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline may also be considered.
"What we are looking for in this call is everyday civilians who are very astronaut-like to be research participants for us," Bell said in a statement.
NASA offers compensation for mission participation, however specific remuneration details will be supplied during the candidate screening process.
The application form can be found on NASA’s CHAPEA website and the deadline is until 2 April 2024.
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