NASA: Listen to the sound of an audio representation of galaxies in space
NASA shared an audio version of images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. The elements of the images are given tones and volumes.
Staff video, USA TODAY
It has long been a goal to get humans to Mars and will soon become a reality, a kind of.
As the space agency prepares to plan how humans would survive on the red planet, NASA is looking for four people who can live in conditions similar to Mars in hopes of giving some idea of what that survival would be like.
Instead of going into outer space, volunteers will live in the Mars Dune Alpha, a 1,700-square-foot 3D-printed module inside the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The model will include private rooms, a kitchen, two bathrooms, a work room and space to grow crops.
NASA plans to conduct three of these experiments, the first to begin in the fall of 2022, then 2024, and 2025. Paid volunteers will be given tasks such as simulated spacewalks, use of virtual reality, and scientific research. .
While it may seem like fun to see what it’s like to be on Mars, it will come with its challenges, such as dealing with equipment failures, as well as limited communication to the outside world and resources. The added challenges we hope will give NASA possible answers to any problems that arise in future missions.
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“Analog is critical to testing solutions to meet the complex needs of living on the Martian surface,” said Grace Douglas, NASA’s lead scientist in advanced food technology research. “Simulations on Earth will help us understand and combat the physical and mental challenges that astronauts will have to face before they leave.”
The app, which opened Friday and is available through Sept. 17, says the organization is looking for permanent U.S. citizens between the ages of 30 and 55 who are healthy with dietary issues.
The selection “will follow NASA’s standard criteria for astronaut applicants,” as applicants should have a master’s degree in a STEM field, STEM professional experience, and pilot experience, depending on the application.
Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jord_mendoza.