For those who thrive on extreme challenges, NASA is offering an ideal opportunity. The space agency announced on Friday its call for volunteers to join the second yearlong simulated Mars mission, known as the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA 2).
Commencing in spring 2025, the four chosen crew members will reside in a 1,700-square-foot 3D-printed habitat in Houston. Applications are being accepted on the CHAPEA website until April 2, and while it’s a paid opportunity, the exact compensation details have not been disclosed by NASA.
The Mars Dune Alpha habitat at NASA’s Johnson Space Center aims to replicate the conditions future explorers might encounter on the red planet, where the environment is challenging, and resources are limited. Currently, there is an ongoing crew living and working there as part of the first CHAPEA mission, which is over halfway through its 378-day assignment.
Volunteers during the mission will undertake various tasks, including habitat maintenance and crop cultivation. The habitat is equipped with a 1,200-square-foot sandbox for simulated spacewalks.
To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents aged 30-55, proficient in English, possess a master’s degree in a STEM field, have at least two years of professional experience, a minimum of one thousand hours piloting an aircraft, or two years of work toward a STEM doctoral program. Certain types of professional experience may also qualify applicants without a master’s degree.
CHAPEA 2 is the second of three missions planned by NASA for the program, with the first commencing on June 25, 2023.
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