NASA is looking for four volunteers to expose them to living conditions on Mars for practice. It hopes to launch a mission to Mars in the 2030s. This series of missions are called crew health and performance exploration simulations and will be carried out at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

In a year’s time, volunteers will have to live in a 1,700-square-foot 3D printed module, which is smaller than a tennis court and is called Mars Dune Alpha. Volunteers will face different scenarios and challenges during the stimulation. They may encounter communication delays, limited resources, isolation, confinement, and equipment failures on this planet. They will learn about stimulated spacewalks, the use of virtual reality, robot control, communication and scientific research.

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Grace Douglas, Chief Scientist of Advanced Food Technology Research at NASA’s Houston Center, said: “The excitement on Earth will help us understand and respond to the physical and mental challenges that astronauts will face before departure.”

NASA is looking for healthy, non-smoker American citizens and permanent residents between 30 and 55 years of age. Candidates need to have strong motivation, proficiency in English and effective communication between the crew and mission control. Obtaining a master’s degree in STEM fields such as engineering, mathematics or biology, physics, and computer science from an accredited institution is also a requirement.

The International Space Station has its own model of human behavior and performance (ISS HBP model), which trains astronauts to establish interdependent crew relationships to ensure self-care and self-management. Mindfulness and meditation as well as other techniques are taught as key skills to survive in space and maintain mental health.

NASA encourages space enthusiasts to apply for and participate in mankind’s first trip to Mars. Individuals can join the program starting in the fall of 2022 by filling out an online application and undergoing a physical examination, psychological test, and psychiatric screening.