American space agency
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has invited applications for participating in its next simulated one-year Mars surface mission that will help inform its plans for human exploration of the Red Planet. Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog, also called
CHAPEA, which is the second of three planned ground-based missions, is scheduled to kick off in spring 2025,
NASA said in a statement.
Sharing further details, the space agency said that each
CHAPEA mission will involve a four-person volunteer crew that will live and work inside a 1,700-square-foot, 3D-printed habitat based at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The habitat, which is called the Mars Dune Alpha, simulates the challenges of a
mission on Mars, including the limitation of resources, and failures of equipment, among other environmental stressors.
As part of the mission, the crew will perform certain tasks, including simulated spacewalks, habitat maintenance, robotic operations, exercise, and crop growth.
Eligibility criteria
The space agency is searching for healthy and motivated persons, who are non-smokers, between the 30 and 55 age group. Those who wish to apply should be US citizens or permanent residents and proficient in English for effective communication between crewmates and mission control,
NASA stated.
The applicants must have a strong desire for unique, rewarding adventures and an interest in contributing to the work of the space agency to prepare for the first human journey to Mars.
The last date to apply for this mission is Tuesday, April 2.
“Crew selection will follow additional standard NASA criteria for astronaut candidate applicants,” it stated.
The crew selection further includes additional standard criteria for astronaut candidate applicants like a master’s degree in a STEM field such as engineering, mathematics, or biological, physical, or computer science from an accredited institution along with at least two years of professional experience or a minimum of 1,000 hours piloting an aircraft.
“Candidates who have completed two years of work toward a doctoral program in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, completed a medical degree, or a test pilot program will also be considered. With four years of professional experience, applicants who have completed military officer training or a bachelor of science degree in a STEM field may be considered,” the space agency stated.
NASA further stated that the CHAPEA missions provide relevant scientific data to validate systems and develop solutions for the upcoming future missions to Mars.
The first CHAPEA crew is more than halfway through their yearlong mission, it added.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
