NASA Seeking Mars Simulation Volunteers for 1 Year Mission

• NASA seeks bold volunteers for a yearlong Mars simulation mission, CHAPEA 2, starting in spring 2025.
• Selected crew members will inhabit a state-of-the-art 1,700-square-foot 3D-printed habitat in Houston, replicating Martian living conditions.
• Applicants must be US citizens aged 30-55, fluent in English, hold a STEM master’s degree, and have relevant professional experience or piloting hours.

NASA is on the hunt for intrepid volunteers willing to embark on an extraordinary journey: a yearlong simulation of life on Mars. Dubbed the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog 2 (CHAPEA 2), this mission promises unparalleled challenges and rewards for those daring enough to join. Set to commence in spring 2025, the selected crew of four will inhabit a cutting-edge, 1,700-square-foot 3D-printed habitat nestled in Houston.

Applications are now open on the CHAPEA website until April 2, welcoming candidates with a taste for adventure. While the compensation remains undisclosed, this opportunity offers not only a chance to contribute to space exploration but also a paid gig.

Nestled within NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the Mars Dune Alpha habitat serves as the stage for this daring experiment. Its purpose: to mimic the harsh conditions and limited resources future Martian settlers might encounter. Currently, a crew is already halfway through the first CHAPEA mission, undertaking tasks ranging from habitat maintenance to crop cultivation. Additionally, the habitat boasts a 1,200-square-foot sandbox for simulated spacewalks.

Eligible applicants must be US citizens aged 30-55, fluent in English, and possess a master’s degree in a STEM field. Furthermore, candidates must have a minimum of two years of professional experience or 1,000 hours of piloting an aircraft, or be actively pursuing a STEM doctoral program. Certain professional backgrounds may also qualify applicants without a master’s degree. CHAPEA 2 marks the second installment in NASA’s series of three planned missions, following the inaugural mission that commenced on June 25, 2023.