(NewsNation) — NASA is looking for volunteers to take part in a yearlong Mars simulation, living in an environment designed to mimic the red planet.
Applicants will compete for a spot to live in Mars Dune Alpha, a 1,700-square-foot, 3D-printed habitat based at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. This will be the second group to go through a yearlong simulation, with the first group halfway through their experiment.
But life on Mars, even the simulated version, won’t be easy. Participants can expect to experience the type of environmental stressors that come with living on a planet so different from our own, including resource limitations, equipment failures and communication delays.
The crew will also be expected to complete tasks including simulated spacewalks, robotics operations, habitat maintenance as well as keeping up with exercise and growing crops.
The mission is part of NASA’s plan to put humans on Mars, potentially as soon as the 2030s. The simulations are designed to help work through the challenges that come with living on a distant planet where astronauts would not be able to rely on resupply missions or quick help in an emergency.
So, how do aspiring Martians qualify?
NASA is looking for U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are in good health, don’t smoke, are between 30 and 55 and speak English proficiently.
People will also need to meet NASA’s standard astronaut criteria, which include a master’s degree in a STEM field with at least two years of professional experience in STEM or a minimum of 1,000 hours piloting an aircraft.
Those who have two years of work toward a doctoral program in a STEM field or who have a medical degree or took part in a test pilot program also qualify. Applicants who have four years of professional experience plus a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or who have completed military officer training can also apply.
Participants will be compensated for their time spent in the habitat, but NASA has not revealed what amount candidates can expect.
Mars hopefuls have until April 2 to apply and can fill out an application online.