NASA has started accepting applications for its next Mars analog mission that will have participants live in a simulated atmosphere that is similar to that of the red planet, helping study the physical, emotional, and mental effects of such a habitat. Now, the space agency is no stranger to the concept of an analog test, and actually runs a wide range of long-term simulation tests for diverse habitats. The key objective is to prepare for near-term as well as future exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and asteroids. However, it is not feasible to conduct all tests in space due to multiple reasons such as time constraints, availability of resources, and manpower to name a few.
This is where analog missions come to the rescue, as they allow scientists to conduct ground-based tests at a quicker pace and with fewer resources spent, while also preparing countermeasures that are fit to be executed in space. NASA has been conducting analog tests for years that have involved preparing man for space flight as well as journies to the moon. Moreover, the missions can be of varied types such as Isolation and Confinement, Bedrest, and Radiation Analog to name a few. One of the well-known examples is the HERA analog mission, a three-story habitat that has been designed with isolation, confinement, and remote living scenarios that mirror what space travelers might encounter.
The latest addition to NASA’s analog mission portfolio is called Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog, and it is targeted at the human exploration of Mars. The space agency is currently accepting applications for its first one-year analog mission that simulates a Martian habitat on Earth to study its adverse effects on the human mind and body. Currently, the plan is to run three one-year Mars surface simulation tests at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. However, compared to an actual space mission, an analog mission has a few key differences. An analog mission is conducted with gravity intact, the participants can be everyday folks, the radiation levels are normal, and unlike space, there’s an immediate emergency exit protocol in place. Oh, and the toilets in an analog mission are “somewhat normal.”
The four crew members selected for each mission will spend their time in a 3D-printed 1,700-square-foot module that goes by the name Mars Dune Alpha. The key areas of research for the analog mission will be Martian surface scenarios such as equipment failure, communication hurdles, surviving with limited resources at hand, and stress-inducing environmental factors. NASA says the analog mission will help develop the technology for solving potential obstacles to manned spaceflight missions destined for Mars as well as the Moon. The four crew members, as part of the test routine, might have to perform tasks such as simulated spacewalks, trying out robotic and VR controls, analyzing communication, and carrying out the desired scientific research.
For folks without an astronaut’s resume, these analog missions are the best chance to experience how life in space or another planet’s atmosphere might look and feel, while also helping develop the systems that will be critical for survival in such scenarios. NASA will accept applications for participating as a crew member in its Mars analog mission through 5:00 pm (CST) on September 17, 2021, while the one-year program kicks off in the fall season of 2022. In addition to meeting the desired qualification criteria, the candidates will also have to go through medical tests, psychological assessments, and psychiatric evaluations to test their suitability for the mission. Complete qualification details, mission requirements, and the application are available on NASA’s website.
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