If you’re tired of hearing the news and making light of wanting to escape to outer space, Nasa may have a solution for you.

The space organization is in need of four individuals to reside on Mars for a year, or at least in a simulated 3D-printed version of the planet. Complete isolation is highly likely.

The activity, located at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, is a component of Nasa’s Chapea program (crew health and performance exploration analog). This program aims to aid in the development and assessment of the systems that will be utilized by the initial group of astronauts who will journey to Mars, with plans for expeditions scheduled for the 2030s.

The organization reports that the individuals who are offering their services will reside in a 1,700 square foot structure known as Mars Dune Alpha. This habitat is designed to imitate the obstacles faced during a mission to Mars, such as restricted resources, malfunctioning equipment, delayed communication, and other factors that cause stress in the environment.

The team will engage in simulated spacewalks, robotic tasks, maintenance of the living space, physical activity, and cultivation of crops in the computer-generated simulation of the surface of Mars.

The chosen individuals will receive payment for their time, however, the amount has not been specified by Nasa. The priority for mission managers is to find the appropriate balance of candidates, and they stress that all applicants must hold a university degree in engineering, mathematics, or fields related to biology, physics, or computer science, as well as have prior experience or 1,000 hours of flight time as a pilot.

Applicants must meet the following qualifications: they must be in good health, not smoke, and be either US citizens or permanent residents between the ages of 30 and 55.

According to the agency, individuals interested in joining NASA’s efforts to prepare for the first human mission to Mars should have a strong passion for one-of-a-kind and fulfilling experiences. The deadline for applications is April 2nd.

Following their training, the crew will be the next group to inhabit the habitat starting in early 2021. The four members of the Chapea 1 mission who are currently living there will depart in August, concluding their 378-day expedition that started last summer.

Source: theguardian.com