Martians Wanted: NASA has announced an open call for participants willing to embark on a yearlong simulated mission to inform future exploration of the Red Planet. Set to commence in spring 2025, the CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) mission is the second in a series of three ground-based missions.
Candidates will live and operate inside a 1,700-square-foot, 3D-printed habitat designed to resemble a Mars dwelling. Based at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, the habitat is named Mars Dune Alpha and is meticulously crafted to emulate the conditions astronauts will face during an actual Mars mission. Challenges within the simulation include limited resources, potential equipment malfunctions, communication delays, and environmental stressors encountered on Mars. Crew members will engage in a variety of activities including conducting simulated spacewalks, managing robotic operations, maintaining the habitat, exercising, and growing crops.
NASA is on the lookout for dedicated individuals who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, between the ages of 30 and 55, and non-smokers. Proficiency in English is critical to ensure clear communication amongst crew members and with mission control. Ideal applicants should possess a natural curiosity for exploring new frontiers and a deep interest in contributing to the advancement of space exploration efforts toward the first human voyage to Mars. The application window is open until April 2, and prospective participants can apply at chapea.nasa.gov.
Prospective volunteers must meet specific educational and professional prerequisites. Requirements include a master’s degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) discipline from an accredited institution, coupled with at least two years of related professional experience or a minimum of one thousand hours of aircraft piloting. Degrees in progress, such as being two years into a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics doctoral program, a completed medical degree, or test pilot school graduates will also be evaluated. Alternatively, individuals with a Bachelor of Science in a STEM field and four years of professional experience or those who have completed military officer training may also qualify. Selected participants will receive compensation, with additional details provided during the selection process.
The CHAPEA missions are critical to NASA’s efforts under the Artemis campaign, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence and scientific exploration on the Moon. Data and findings from these missions will be instrumental in reinforcing astronaut health and performance for future journeys to Mars. With the inaugural CHAPEA crew mission well underway, insights gained are actively shaping NASA’s approach to manned Martian expeditions.
NASA underlines the significance of the Artemis initiative, which will not only expand human scientific achievement on the Moon but also pave the way for the historic inclusion of the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon. This pivotal step will be a precursor to prospective human activities on Mars, driving exploration for the betterment of humanity.
