NASA has a new Mars mission: Seeking volunteers to spend an entire year living in a simulated version of the Red Planet.
Why it matters: The surface mission on a 3D-printed habitat, called the Mars Dune Alpha, will help inform the agency's plans for human exploration of the planet, per a statement from NASA.
Photo: NASA/X
The big picture: The second of three planned ground-based missions, known as "CHAPEA," (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) is due to start in spring next year. Those participating will be compensated, with more information provided during the candidate screening process.
could you do it? would you do it?
one small step for man, one giant leap for coli kind
Why it matters: The surface mission on a 3D-printed habitat, called the Mars Dune Alpha, will help inform the agency's plans for human exploration of the planet, per a statement from NASA.
The big picture: The second of three planned ground-based missions, known as "CHAPEA," (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) is due to start in spring next year. Those participating will be compensated, with more information provided during the candidate screening process.
- To qualify, you must be a healthy, nonsmoking U.S. citizen or permanent residents between 30-55 years old and proficient in English.
- Applicants must have the required STEM qualifications and experience in the field, or a minimum of 1,000 hours piloting an aircraft or the requisite military experience.
- The habitat simulates the challenges of a mission on Mars. These include "resource limitations, equipment failures, communication delays, and other environmental stressors," according to NASA.
- "Crew tasks include simulated spacewalks, robotic operations, habitat maintenance, exercise, and crop growth."
could you do it? would you do it?
one small step for man, one giant leap for coli kind