Want to live on Mars for a year? Nasa is looking for you

SpaceX, the company led by Elon Musk is building the Starship Super Heavy rocket to send people to Mars and Nasa is looking for candidates for a mission to live on Mars.Â

Mars remains the biggest candidate for space agencies across the world after the Moon to establish colonies and Nasa is prepping for it with a year-long simulation that will give candidates first-hand experience of how life on Mars would look like and help the space agency sharpen its strategy and technologies before they are deployed on the Red Planet.Â

The 12-month-long Mars Simulations in the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) will see candidates living in a 3D-printed Mars surface habitat analog known as Mars Dune Alpha.Â

The first CHAPEA crew is more than halfway through their yearlong mission. (Photo: Nasa)

The mission will simulate a Mars habitat to support long-duration, exploration-class space missions and life in Mars Dune Alpha will resemble the expected experience for those living in a future Mars surface habitat. The 3D-printed habitat has been designed to provide separate areas within it for living and working.

“Three different crews will be selected to live in Mars Dune Alpha for a one-year mission. Each crew will include four individuals and two alternates. The analog missions will provide valuable insights and information to assess NASA’s space food system as well as physical and behavioural health and performance outcomes for future space missions,” Nasa said in a statement.Â

This is the second CHAPEA mission that is being conducted by the American Space Agency.Â

The simulation will give candidates first-hand experience of how life on Mars would look like. (Photo: Reuters)

The 1,700 square feet habitat includes four private crew quarters, dedicated workstations, dedicated medical stations, common lounge areas, and galley and food growing stations.Â

“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,” Nasa said, adding that the last day for applying is April 2, 2024.Â

“With the first CHAPEA crew more than halfway through their yearlong mission, the team is using research gained through the simulated missions to help inform crew health and performance support during Mars expeditions,” Nasa added.Â

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