Mars Dune Alpha, a 3D-printed chalet where astronauts will train to travel to Mars

Mars is one of NASA’s goals to begin interplanetary travel. To achieve this goal, the US space agency is looking for volunteers to simulate them A one-year mission to the red planet.

The initiative, known as Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA), will bring together Four people must live together In a space that simulates the conditions that the housing complex would experience on Mars.

Preparation for the mission is done in the form of training with the astronauts who will live in a replica of that base, called Mar Dune Alpha, in Tierra.

This venue will support research to develop methods and techniques to prevent and Solve potential problems in future missions for manned spaceflights to the Moon and Mars.

“The module is critical to testing solutions that meet the complex needs of living on the surface of a hostile world like Mars,” said Grace Douglas, chief scientist for NASA’s Advanced Food Technology Research Effort at the Space Center. Houston.

“Simulations on the ground will help us understand and address the physical and mental challenges astronauts will face before they leave,” he said.

Habitat must think Important disadvantages to Mars, including resource constraints, equipment failures, communication delays, and other environmental stresses.

Crew duties may include spacewalk simulation, scientific research, Use virtual reality and robotic controls and exchange contacts.

The results will provide important scientific data to validate the systems and Develop solutions.

formulations

This chalet is developed on a rectangular area of ​​about 158 ​​square meters. Designed by ICON Corporation, this unit was created using a 3D printer and Simulates all conditions Which astronauts will have to face when they have to build their home on Mars.

Unlike common spaces that contain habitable environments such as the International Space Station (ISS), the unit will provide a room for each astronaut.

In turn, this residential complex will be equipped with two bathrooms, a dispensary, a gym and several working areas.

The interior of this unit will be decorated by architecture firm BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group with distribution Seeks to provide privacy for every member of the population. In this way, this formation attempts to reduce the physical and mental impact of living in a unit of this kind on Mars.

The setup will contain sound and lighting systems that adapts to the daily rhythms of the populationVariable ceiling heights to avoid space fatigue and monotony.

All of these functions will be evaluated by volunteers and created based on experiences reported by residents. Spaces such as the International Space Station, submarines and science stations in Antarctica.

the invitation

Located at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the invitation to this Martian chalet will be available to non-smoking U.S. citizens or permanent residents, ages 30 to 55, who meet the criteria required by NASA’s criteria for selecting astronaut candidates.

To apply, it is required Master’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Such as engineering, mathematics, biology, physical or computer science from an accredited institution with at least two years of experience in STEM or at least 1,000 hours piloting an aircraft.

Candidates who have completed two years of work will also be considered PhD program in STEM, or hold a medical degree or beta test program.

SL