07/11/2026
NASA is looking for four volunteers to spend a year living like astronauts, without leaving Earth.
The mission will take place at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The crew will live in two isolated habitats designed to simulate traveling through deep space and life on the Moon or Mars. One of them is a 3D-printed planetary-surface habitat.
For 12 months, the volunteers will live with limited supplies, complete scientific experiments, maintain the habitats and perform simulated spacewalks and other astronaut-like tasks. They will not be able to leave the habitats whenever they choose freely.
NASA will study how isolation, stress and limited resources affect the crew’s physical health, mental well-being and ability to work together.
The research could help NASA prepare astronauts for future deep-space missions. A round trip to Mars could keep astronauts away from Earth for roughly two to three years.
Selected volunteers will be reimbursed for participating.
