NASA seeks volunteers for year-long Moon and Mars simulation mission: Check eligibility and other details

NASA has opened applications for volunteers to participate in its next year-long simulated Moon and Mars mission, scheduled to begin no earlier than August 2027, as the US space agency continues preparations for future human missions beyond Earth. Selected participants will spend 12 months living and working in a specially designed habitat at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, where researchers will study how crews adapt to the challenges of long-duration spaceflight.

CHAPEA mission to simulate deep-space living

The mission is part of NASA's Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) programme, which recreates the isolation, confinement and operational conditions astronauts are expected to face during future missions to the Moon and Mars.

Although participants will remain on Earth, they will follow schedules and carry out tasks designed to closely mirror those undertaken during deep-space expeditions.

What participants will do

According to NASA, the simulated habitat includes living quarters, workstations and areas for growing food.

Crew members will conduct scientific experiments, perform maintenance tasks, complete simulated spacewalks and manage communication delays similar to those expected during missions to Mars, where signals can take several minutes to travel between Earth and a spacecraft.

NASA said the research will help improve astronaut health, performance and mission planning as it advances its Artemis programme.

Who can apply?

Applications are open to healthy, non-smoking US citizens or permanent residents between the ages of 30 and 55.

Applicants must hold a master's degree in a STEM discipline, including engineering, mathematics, biological sciences, physical sciences or computer science, or possess equivalent professional experience. They must also be proficient in English and meet the agency's medical and psychological screening requirements.

NASA said certain combinations of education, military service and professional flying experience may also satisfy the eligibility criteria.

Research to support future Moon and Mars missions

The CHAPEA programme has already completed its first year-long mission and is continuing with additional studies to better understand how isolation, confined living and limited resources affect crews during extended missions.

According to NASA, the findings will help improve spacecraft design, crew selection, daily operations and medical support for future exploration missions.

Supporting the Artemis programme

NASA said the CHAPEA research forms part of its Artemis campaign, which aims to return humans to the Moon, establish a sustained human presence on and around the lunar surface, and eventually send astronauts to Mars.

The agency said each CHAPEA mission contributes to preparing astronauts for long-duration spaceflight by improving habitat design, crew operations and health support, bringing future human exploration deeper into the Solar System closer to reality.