Apply here now for NASA’s one-year simulated Mars mission

NASA is seeking candidates to participate in its upcoming year-long simulated mission to the surface of Mars to help inform the agency’s plans for human exploration of the Red Planet. The second of three planned ground missions, called CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog), is expected to begin in spring 2025.

Each CHAPEA mission involves a crew of four volunteers living and working in a 1,700-square-foot 3D-printed habitat based at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The habitat, called Mars Dune Alpha, simulates the challenges of a mission to Mars, including resource limitations, equipment failures, communications delays and other environmental stressors. Crew tasks include simulated spacewalks, robotic operations, habitat maintenance, exercise and crop growth.

NASA is seeking healthy, motivated, non-smoking, U.S. citizens or permanent residents between the ages of 30 and 55 who are proficient in English for effective communication between crewmates and mission control. Applicants must have a strong desire for unique and rewarding adventures and be interested in contributing to NASA’s work to prepare for the first human trip to Mars.

The deadline to apply is Tuesday, April 2.

Crew selection will follow additional standard NASA criteria for astronaut candidates. A master’s degree in a STEM field such as engineering, mathematics, or biological, physical, or computer sciences from an accredited institution with at least two years of professional STEM experience or a minimum of one thousand hours flying an aircraft is required.

Applicants who have completed two years of work toward a doctoral program in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, earned a medical degree, or completed a trial pilot program will also be considered. With four years of professional experience, applicants with military officer training or a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM field may be considered.

Compensation for participation in the mission is available. Further information will be provided during the candidate selection process.

As NASA works to establish a long-term presence for scientific discovery and exploration on the Moon through the Artemis campaign, CHAPEA missions provide important scientific data to validate systems and develop solutions for future missions to the red planet. As the first CHAPEA crew is more than halfway through its year-long mission, NASA is using research gained from simulated missions to help inform crew health and performance support during Mars expeditions .

As part of NASA’s Artemis campaign, the agency will lay the foundation for long-term scientific exploration on the Moon, land the first woman, first person of color and its first international partner astronaut on the lunar surface , and will prepare human expeditions to Mars for the benefit of all.