Wednesday, July 8, 2026

"NASA Seeks Volunteers for New Yearlong Simulated Moon, Mars Mission"

From Florida's Space Coast Daily, July 6:

NASA is recruiting research participants for the agency’s next simulated deep space mission.  

Beginning no earlier than August 2027, research volunteers will spend one year living and working in interplanetary environments at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, operating under isolated conditions expected during crewed missions to the Moon or Red Planet. 

Insights from this new, yearlong experience, called the Moon and Mars Exploration Analog, can be used to help keep astronauts safe and mission-ready during future planetary surface operations. The results also could inform plans for a sustained lunar presence through the agency’s Moon Base and future Artemis missions. 

NASA is looking for applicants for the approximately year-long mission simulation, which will take place in two confined habitats....

....MUCH MORE