Tired of the earth? NASA invites applications to live in a Mars-like habitat for a year

NASA invites applications to live on Mars. Know more…

Monday, 9th August 2021

In order to send astronauts to Mars, NASA has invited four people to apply to live in a simulated Mars exploration habitat so they can prepare for the real challenges of future missions to Mars. On Friday, NASA began accepting applications for participants to live on Mars Dune Alpha for a year, a 1,700-square-foot Martian habitat created by a 3D printer located in the Johnson Space Center building in Houston.

"In response to the real challenges of future missions to Mars, NASA will study how highly active individuals react under the rigors of long-term ground simulations," NASA said in a statement. The Habitat will simulate the challenges of a mission to Mars, including resource limitations, equipment failures, communication delays, and other environmental pressures. The crew's tasks may include simulating a spacewalk, scientific research, using virtual reality and robot control, and exchanging communications. The NASA statement stated that the results will provide important scientific data for verifying the system and developing solutions.

NASA is planning three of these missions, called crew health and performance exploration simulations, and the first mission will begin next fall (September 1 and November 30).

"Simulation is essential for testing solutions that meet the needs of complex life on the surface of Mars," said Grace Douglas, chief scientist of the Advanced Food Technology Research Program at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

"Simulations on Earth will help us understand and offset the physical and mental challenges that astronauts will face before they leave," he added.

This application is only available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents in the 3055 age group. Other selection criteria include English proficiency, good health, and non-smoking habits.

In education, a master's degree is required in STEM fields such as engineering, math or biology, physics, or computer science from an accredited institution. In addition, candidates who have completed two years of work in the STEM doctoral program or have completed a medical degree or flight test program will also be considered.

NASA's statement states that applicants with four years of professional experience may consider completing officer training in the STEM field or earning a Bachelor of Science degree.

Former Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield told the Associated Press that it is good that NASA is looking for someone close to the astronaut. Hadfield told the Associated Press that in the past, Russia's Mars mission "Mars 500" did not end well, partly because people were too ordinary people.

The News Talkie Bureau

Source:

Indiatoday