NASA are looking to recruit people to pretend to live on Mars for one year in order to prepare for when humans move to the red planet.
The space agency opened up applications which will allow four people to live on 'Mars Dune Alpha' with the aim of beginning the mission in autumn 2022.
In a post on their website, the space agency said: "As NASA ventures farther into the cosmos, the astronaut experience will change. In preparation for the real-life challenges of future missions to Mars, NASA will study how highly motivated individuals respond under the rigor of a long-duration, ground-based simulation.
“Simulations on Earth will help us understand and counter the physical and mental challenges astronauts will face before they go.”
"Each mission will consist of four crew members living and working in a 1,700-square-foot module 3D-printed by ICON, called Mars Dune Alpha. The habitat will simulate the challenges of a mission on Mars, including resource limitations, equipment failure, communication delays, and other environmental stressors".
Successful applicants, who will be paid, will eat the ready-made space food - often seen in videos from the International Space Station.
During the one year stay, NASA say that crew tasks could include "simulated spacewalks, scientific research, use of virtual reality and robotic controls, and exchanging communications."
The results are set to provide important scientific data to validate systems and develop solutions.
If you're keen, they say they're looking for people who meet the standard NASA inclusion and exclusion criteria for astronaut candidate applicants.
This means in order to apply you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Be within the ages of 30-55
- Possess a master's degree* in a STEM field, including engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science or mathematics, from an accredited institution.
- Have at least two years of related professional experience in a STEM field or at least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time on jet aircraft.
- Be able to pass the NASA long-duration flight astronaut physical.
*The master's degree requirement can also be met by
- Two years (36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours) of work toward a doctoral program in a related science, technology, engineering or math field.
- A completed Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.
- Completion (or current enrolment that will result in completion by June 2021) of a nationally recognized test pilot school program.
*Participants with a Bachelor’s degree and other specific qualifications (e.g., relevant additional education, military, or at least 4 years of professional experience in a STEM field) may also be considered.
Closing date: September 17, 2021.
If you tick all the boxes and want to apply, you can do so here.
