NASA's Search for Martian Explorers: A Year in a Simulated Habitat

The Call for Martian Pioneers

Dreaming of life on Mars? NASA is looking for 'Martians' to join a simulated mission to the red planet. The agency is inviting applicants for its upcoming CHAPEA mission, set to kick off in spring 2025.

NASA astronaut and Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Josh Cassada is pictured bundled up in his crew quarters aboard the International Space Station.

Volunteers will spend a year inside Mars Dune Alpha, a 3D-printed habitat at Johnson Space Center that mirrors the living conditions expected for future Martian astronauts. This mission aims to study how a crew adapts to the challenges of deep space exploration, crucial for planning future Mars expeditions.

Inside the habitat, the CHAPEA 1 crew conducts "Marswalks" (left) and grows crops using a system with appropriate lighting, water and nutrients for growing plants indoors.

Qualifications and Selection Process

To qualify, applicants must be nonsmoking, healthy US citizens aged 30-55 with proficiency in English. They should possess a strong desire for unique adventures and contribute to NASA's Mars exploration efforts.

Candidates need a master's degree in a STEM field or a medical degree, along with professional experience in their field. The selection process involves rigorous medical, psychological, and psychiatric tests to ensure the crew's suitability for the mission.

Mission Progress and Future Endeavors

The inaugural CHAPEA mission, ongoing since June 2023, focuses on monitoring the health and performance of the crew in a Mars-like environment. Crew members have conducted 'Marswalks,' harvested crops, and carried out experiments to simulate life on Mars.

The CHAPEA Mission 1 crew, including Nathan Jones, Ross Brockwell, Kelly Haston, Anca Selariu (from left to right), is pictured on June 26, 2023, before entering the habitat.

Lessons from this mission will inform future CHAPEA expeditions, with a total of three planned. Each mission aims to gather data on crew health, sustainability, and support mechanisms for long-duration space travel.

IN SPACE - DECEMBER 21: In this handout photo provided by NASA, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly is seen floating during a spacewalk on December 21, 2015 in space. NASA astronauts Scott Kelly and Tim Kopra released brake handles on crew equipment carts on either side of the space stations mobile transporter rail car so it could be latched in place ahead of Wednesdays docking of a Russian cargo resupply spacecraft. Kelly and Kopra also tackled several get-ahead tasks during their three hour, 16 minute spacewalk. (Photo by NASA via Getty Images)