NASA is looking for four participants for its Moon and Mars Exploration Analog (MMEA), a yearlong simulation program designed to replicate traveling and living on the Moon and Mars. The program will be based at the Johnson Space Center in Houston and will begin no earlier than August 2027.
Simulation Details
Volunteers will live in spacelike conditions, carrying out tasks such as growing crops, looking after their health, and replicating spacewalks. The 12-month program will be split into three segments, involving two different habitats. The first segment will take place inside a mock 650-square-foot spacecraft, while the second segment will involve living on the surface of another planet in a one-story, 900-square-foot facility.
The program aims to reduce the risks astronauts may face when flying to space and landing on Mars. NASA spokesperson Kelsey Spivey said, “Volunteer research participants contribute greatly to the knowledge base by helping NASA characterize the risks and test countermeasures to enhance human performance during long duration space exploration missions.”
Applicant Requirements
Applicants must be US citizens or green card holders, aged between 30 and 55, and no taller than 6 feet 2 inches. They must also be fluent in English and have “astronaut-like qualifications,” such as bachelor’s degrees in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics.
Prospective participants must be willing to commit to the 14-month program, which includes 12 months inside the confined habitats and two months for pre- and post-mission training. They must also pass physical and psychological assessments, have no dietary restrictions, and cannot have a history of sleepwalking or taking sleeping aids.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
