NASA is conducting a new experiment to determine how ready humans are to live on another planet. The U.S. space agency is looking for four participants as part of its Moon and Mars exploration program.
This year-long project is not an actual space flight, but participants will live in conditions similar to those of astronauts. They will be in a closed environment, growing crops, monitoring health, and performing tasks similar to spacewalk exercises.
The experiment is planned to start in August 2027. The project will be conducted at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, USA.
NASA says the research will help study and mitigate risks that may arise during future long-duration space missions, including the journey to Mars.
Participants will also test the process of adapting to Mars time. One day on Mars is about 40 minutes longer than on Earth, which could affect human sleep and health.
To participate in the program, candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, be between 30 and 55 years old, have good English skills, and hold a higher education degree in a specific field. Preference will be given to specialists in engineering, biology, physics, and mathematics.
Participants will undergo a 14-month training and experiment process. Of that, 12 months will be spent in a closed environment, while the remaining two months are allocated for mission preparation and completion activities.
During the experiment, volunteers will live in two different environments. First, they will experience a "flight" condition in a 60-square-meter space resembling a spacecraft. Then, they will test life on a "planetary surface" in a special 84-square-meter facility — growing crops and performing spacewalk exercises on a sandy field.
Through this experiment, NASA aims to assess human readiness for long-duration space journeys.
