NASA is looking for 4 people to live together in an environment like Mars, with a salary

In preparation for sending astronauts to Mars, NASA has begun accepting applications to live for a year at Mars Dune Alpha, with the number of 4 people. Mars Dune Alpha is a simulated Mars-like habitat, measuring nearly 160 square meters, created by 3D printing technology and located inside a building at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Design concept photo of Mars Dune Alpha

Paid volunteers will undertake a simulated Mars exploration mission, with “spacewalks” with limited communications with family, and limited food and resources. and must react to equipment failures.

NASA is planning three of these experiments with the first to begin next fall. The food for the volunteers will be space-based fast food and currently the lab has no plans to equip any windows. Some plants will be grown, but not potatoes like in the movie “The Martian” starring Matt Damon as an astronaut stranded on Mars.

“We wanted to understand how humans function in that environment,” said lead scientist Grace Douglas . We’re looking at real-life situations on Mars.”

Illustration of humans living on Mars

The registration process opens on Friday, August 6, and of course not everyone can apply. They must meet very strict requirements, including a master’s degree in a science, engineering or math field or pilot experience. Only US citizens or US green card holders are eligible. Applicants must be between 30 and 55 years old, in good physical health, with no dietary problems and no motion sickness.

This shows that NASA is looking for people who are likely to be close to astronauts, said former Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield. That’s a good thing because in the end the real people who will go to Mars are the astronauts.

Reference: BusinessInsider