In a fascinating endeavor, four volunteers have embarked on a mission to a simulated Mars habitat at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The purpose of this mission is to simulate the challenges and conditions that astronauts would face on a real mission to Mars. CBS News reports that the 3D-printed, 1,700-square-foot habitat will expose the volunteers to problems such as equipment failure and communication delays. They will engage in activities including simulated spacewalks, robotic operations, habitat maintenance, and crop growth. However, their meals will mostly consist of ready-to-eat “space food.”
To enhance the simulation experience, the habitat also includes a 1,200-square-foot “sandbox” with red dirt, mimicking outdoor missions. According to Gizmodo, the four volunteers—research scientist Kelly Haston, structural engineer Ross Brockwell, emergency medicine physician Nathan Jones, and Navy microbiologist Anca Selariu—were carefully selected from a large pool of applicants. NASA specifically sought US citizens aged between 30 and 55 with either flying experience or a master’s degree in a science, engineering, or mathematics field. The simulation conducted with these volunteers will provide crucial information that will aid NASA in designing and planning a successful human mission to Mars.
The Houston Chronicle reveals that the volunteers will receive compensation of $10 per waking hour, with a maximum of 16 hours a day. Mission commander Haston, known for building models of human diseases, expresses her enthusiasm for rugged endeavors. Jones, an emergency medicine physician, admits his concerns about being away from his children for a year but considers this simulation a unique and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Brockwell, who previously aspired to be an astronaut, sees this mission as an exciting chance to contribute to the space program and the Mars mission specifically. Selariu, initially a backup volunteer, became part of the primary crew when another participant withdrew shortly before entering the habitat on Sunday. (Read more NASA stories.)
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