• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Living

Want to pretend to live on Mars? This may be the mission for you

2:44
Billionaires race into space
NASA/ESA/Hubble Heritage Team/Space Science Institute via AP
ByRebecca Anderson
August 19, 2021, 3:28 PM

Could you live on Mars for an entire year? Or, could you at least pretend?

NASA is on the search for four people to live in a 1,700-square-foot habitat, created by a 3D-printer, at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, to simulate a year-long stay on Mars.

Applications to participate as part of the crew are being accepted through Sept. 17, 2021 for the one-year mission that starts in late 2022.

Editor’s Picks

NASA is looking for good Martians

  • Aug 14, 2021

Spectacular images sent from Perseverance rover on Mars

  • Feb 20, 2021

NASA and National Geographic partner for new Mars augmented reality experience

  • Feb 23, 2021

According to NASA’s website, finalists will undergo medical evaluations, psychological testing and psychiatric screening to determine suitability for the physically and mentally demanding isolation mission.

“The CHAPEA missions are designed to collect critical health and performance data to characterize risks associated with going to Mars,” said Shaneequa Vereen, public affairs officer for the Human Health and Performance Directorate at the NASA Johnson Space Center. “These analog missions will entail a good number of the challenges associated with a Mars mission, such as a Mars-realistic spaceflight food system, time-delayed communication, crew isolation and confinement, and resource restrictions.”

But NASA isn’t looking for just anyone to join this mission. The qualifications are intense and applicants must have a Master’s degree in a science, engineering or math field or pilot experience.

Additionally, only U.S. residents between the ages of 30 and 55 with no dietary or physical health issues will be eligible. Motion sickness? Sorry, but no can do.

A proposal for the Mars Dune Alpha habitat on Mars.
ICON/NASA via AP

“Living on Mars is going to entail a large number of challenges,” Vereen added. “By conducting analog missions we are able obtain data that enables us to better characterize risks before sending astronauts all the way to Mars.”

The Mars Dune Alpha experiment will be carried out in three phases, with the first beginning next fall. The exploration trip will also be complete with spacewalks and ready-to-eat space food. There will even be an area to grow plants and other vegetation.

Construction of the Mars Dune Alpha 1,700-square-foot Martian habitat, being made by a 3D-printer, inside a building at Johnson Space Center in Houston.
ICON/NASA via AP

Editor’s Picks

NASA is looking for good Martians

  • Aug 14, 2021

Spectacular images sent from Perseverance rover on Mars

  • Feb 20, 2021

NASA and National Geographic partner for new Mars augmented reality experience

  • Feb 23, 2021

Up Next in Living—

Costco launches 'Buy Now, Pay Later' service for online purchases

May 20, 2025

Service dog honored alongside college graduate: 'Everybody was cheering'

May 19, 2025

Viral bald eaglets get ready to fly

May 15, 2025

Woman shares her strategy to paying off $20K in credit card debt

May 15, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News