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Applications are open for next year’s NASA Mars simulated mission, which simulates the challenges crews may face during future expeditions to the Red Planet.
The terrestrial mission, called CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog), consists of four volunteer crew members who live and work within a 1,700-square-foot (158-square-meter) 3D-printed isolated habitat. Located at NASA Johnson Space Center In Houston, the Mars Dune Alpha habitat includes an adjacent 1,200-square-foot (111-square-meter) enclosure used for simulations. space walks.
“As NASA works to establish a long-term presence for scientific discovery and exploration on the Moon through the Sagebrush campaign, the CHAPEA missions provide important scientific data to validate systems and develop solutions for future missions to the Red Planet,” NASA officials said in a declaration.
Related: Tour the simulated Mars habitat where 4 analog NASA astronauts will spend next year (video)
He CHAPEA first team is more than halfway through its year-long mission, which began June 25, 2023, and will end July 6, 2024. Now, NASA is seeking applicants for its CHAPEA 2 mission, which is expected to begin in spring 2025. Applications will be open to the public until April 2, 2024.
“NASA is seeking healthy, motivated non-smoking U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are between 30 and 55 years old and fluent in English for effective communication between crewmates and mission control,” officials said in the statement. statement from the space agency. “Applicants must have a strong desire for unique and rewarding adventures and an interest in contributing to NASA’s work to prepare for the first human voyage to Mars“.
In the course of one year mission, the four-person crew will perform tasks ranging from robotic operations to habitat maintenance, crop growth, simulated spacewalks and exercises. The Mars Dune Alpha habitat is designed to replicate what future missions to Mars could look like, including challenges such as resource limitations, equipment failures, communications delays, and other environmental stressors.
The walk through Mars Dune Alpha reveals the row of crew quarters in a hallway across from a bathroom and shower area. That room pivots at the end into an area configured for small-scale product production, which is adjacent to an open kitchen and recreation area with a table and lounge furniture.
A door across the common space leads to the work area with a desk and shelving for equipment. Rooms on either side house fitness and laundry machinery, as well as robotic control stations and a 3D printer. Another door in the open work area features a small medical bay, which is located in front of the habitat’s main airlock.
Applicants must have a degree in a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) field or medicine, as well as professional experience in STEM, military training or test piloting. Full details of the application process and applicant requirements can be found. online.
CHAPEA 2 is the second of three planned missions within the Mars Dune Alpha habitat. The research obtained through these simulated missions will help NASA support crew health and performance while living on Mars during future long-duration exploration missions.