The European Space Agency (ESA), in concert with the Russian Institute of Biomedical Problems (IBMP), is planning a simulated mission to Mars, and is looking for volunteers. The simulation will involve a crew of six living in an isolated environment at the (IBMP) in Moscow for 520 days. Communication with the “outside” world will be only via radio link, with increasing time delays (as the simulated mission moves farther from Earth) extending up to 40 minutes. “The simulation follows the mission profile of a real Mars mission, including a exploration phase on the surface of Mars. Nutrition will be identical to that provided on board the International Space Station.” The mission will include a 250-day trip to Mars, 30 days of Mars surface exploration, and a 240-day trip back to Earth.
In addition to the 520-day mission, a “precursor 105-day study is scheduled to start by mid-2008, possibly followed by another 105-day study, before the full 520-day study begins in late 2008 or early 2009.”
ESA is looking for 12 volunteers who “are ready to participate in the simulations and thereby help to support the preparations of the real thing: a mission to Mars. Four volunteers will be needed for each of the three simulations. The selection procedure is similar to that of ESA astronauts, although there will be more emphasis on psychological factors and stress resistance than on physical fitness.”
The crew of six will live and work in a 200 square meter (2,100 square feet) facility which includes a medical module, individual living compartments (about 3 square meters [32 square feet] each), a Mars landing module (which will only be used during the 30 days “on Mars”), storage space, an experimental greenhouse, and gym facilities.
The people they’re looking for should be between 25 and 50 years old, in good health, highly motivated, not taller than 185cm (6 feet), with a scientific background, and with a working knowledge of both English and Russian. Candidates must be from one of the ESA member states. The nine-page application includes standard job application data and medical and psychological history, as well as questions about social habits (smoking, drinking, etc.) and interests and activities. Applications are due 30 September 2007.
To read more about the project, see this page. To access the application (and please tell SFScope if you’re going to apply), see this page (be warned, their site is a little wonky today, and may have trouble loading the page on the first try).