NASA Wants You for a Martian Mission

NASA wants you to participate in its simulated one-year Mars surface mission. The goal is to help develop NASA’s plans for human exploration of the Red Planet. The second of three planned ground-based missions called CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) is scheduled to kick off in spring 2025.

Each CHAPEA mission involves a four-person volunteer crew living and working inside a 1,700-square-foot, 3D-printed habitat. The mission is a long way from Mars, it all takes place at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The habitat, called the Mars Dune Alpha, simulates the challenges of a Mars mission, including resource limitations, equipment failures, communication delays, and other environmental stressors. The crew will spend the year doing tasks such as simulated spacewalks, robotic operations, habitat maintenance, exercise, and crop growth.

NASA is looking for healthy, motivated US citizens or permanent residents who are 30-55 years old and proficient in English for effective communication between crewmates and mission control. Applicants should have a strong desire for unique, rewarding adventures and interest in contributing to NASA’s work to prepare for the first human journey to Mars.

The deadline for applicants is Tuesday, April 2.