NASA is putting the feelers out to any “highly motivated” individuals to begin virtual reality simulations of life on Mars, as the US space administration prepares for interplanetary travel unlike anything ever seen before.
NASA’s bold new scheme begins with a hi-tech 3D printed module, dubbed Mars Dune Alpha, for applicants to live and adapt to habitats they will encounter on the Red Planet. The project requires applicants to undertake three one-year surface simulations at NASA’s Johnson Space Centre in Houston.
“The habitat will simulate the challenges of a mission on Mars, including resource limitations, equipment failure, communication delays, and other environmental stressors,” NASA shared in an official announcement today.
“Crew tasks may include simulated spacewalks, scientific research, use of virtual reality and robotic controls, and exchanging communications. The results will provide important scientific data to validate systems and develop solutions.”
Lead scientist Grace Douglas said researchers wanted to understand how humans would perform in “Mars realistic situations”.
There are some heavy asterisks on NASA’s application form, however. Those wishing to participate in the simulations will need a master’s degree in a STEM field such as engineering, mathematics, or biological, physical or computer science, with two years of professional STEM experience or a minimum of 1000 hours piloting an aircraft.
The program seeks “healthy, motivated US citizens or permanent residents who are nonsmokers, aged 30 to 55 years old, and proficient in English for effective communication between crew and mission control”.
Smokers are discouraged from applying, and likely anybody who is having a rough time locked in their own home, let alone a 530m square enclosure designed to mimic harsh conditions.
Applications are open from today until September 17.
The thought of building life beyond Earth has clearly already flashed through the minds of the world’s richest men, with billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Tesla magnate Elon Musk and Virgin supremo Richard Branson all launching private rockets in recent months.
Under NASA’s plan, individuals will be able to take part in the futuristic program to potentially build a colony on the neighbouring planet.
NASA’s test will aim to find solutions to a wide range of complications space travellers could encounter, including relying on technology for survival and dealing with the mental challenges that come with inter-planet travel.
“The analog is critical for testing solutions to meet the complex needs of living on the Martian surface,” Ms Douglas said.
“Simulations on Earth will help us understand and counter the physical and mental challenges astronauts will face before they go.”
Former Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, who once spent five months in orbit inside the International Space Station, said a specific type of person would be needed to endure the gruelling process.
Meanwhile, NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover has been busy posting daily updates from the surface after landing in February.
The revolutionary rover landing marked a significant step forward in the ongoing space race, with experts now using the robot to find scientific clues about the mystery planet by drilling into the surface.
NASA landed the rover in the Jezero Crater, which spans a 45 kilometre diameter and scientists believe was once home to an ancient river delta, that may have played host to ancient microbial life.
Previous missions revealed the crater contains clay, which requires water to form.
The rocks in the Jezero Crater could be as old as 3.6 billion years, and it’s hoped they’ll answer questions about the history Mars.
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