NASA Launches Recruitment for Yearlong Simulated Mars Mission
Volunteers will spend twelve months in Houston, living without sunlight or fresh air, to help NASA prepare for humanity’s next giant leap.
NASA has begun recruitment for the Moon and Mars Exploration Analog (MMEA) , a yearlong simulated deep space mission set to take place at the Johnson Space Center. The mission is scheduled to begin no earlier than August 2027.
Mission Details
The mission will house a four-person crew inside two habitats for 12 months, replicating conditions of a real deep space mission—except for the vacuum of space.
NASA is combining two existing analog programs for this effort:
- The HERA habitat will serve as the simulated spacecraft.
- The CHAPEA habitat will become the planetary surface base.
Volunteers will simulate traveling to a destination, conducting a surface stay, and returning—all within Houston. Activities will include mock Mars walks and rover excursions.
Purpose
NASA aims to collect critical data on:
- Crew isolation
- Limited resources
- Demanding work schedules
Researchers will monitor how volunteers handle isolation and stress. Findings will support NASA's Human Research Program (HRP) , which studies the medical and psychological aspects of long space missions and develops methods to protect astronaut health and performance.
Application Requirements
Candidates must meet strict physical and educational requirements, undergo a multi-day selection process, and pass rigorous physical and psychological screenings. NASA seeks individuals interested in lunar and Mars exploration who are willing to live without sunlight or fresh air for twelve months.