Mars Simulator
An experiment to simulate the presence of people in the conditions of Mars has been launched at the NASA Johnson Space Center. It will last 378 days and will be distinguished by very strict conditions. Leave the simulator with an area of only 170 sq. m. its participants cannot be m — they are literally locked inside for the entire duration of the experiment.
This simulator is distinguished from others by the presence of many objects for physical labor and a strict, even harsh work schedule of participants. They will have to train constantly and in a variety of ways, grow food, repair and upgrade equipment, and conduct experiments. An imitation of going to the surface of the planet is provided, with mandatory long-term work there.
Mars Simulator
Moreover, NASA has deliberately complicated the experiment by setting its participants a payment of $ 10 per hour, which is three times lower than the average payment in the United States in 2023. It is counted exclusively for working hours, as a result, everyone will receive only $ 60 thousand for participating in the experiment — this is slightly more than the average annual salary, but they will work for almost a whole month more. Nothing is said about the weekend. Such conditions are necessary for the participants to sincerely try to "survive on Mars", without financial or other motivation. During the experiment, they will also be limited to contacts with relatives. As one of the participants, civil engineer Ross Brockwell, explained, the main task of the whole project is to study how people will cope with the difficulties of life on the Red Planet. Other participants, research scientist Kelly Huston, emergency physician Nathan Jones and US Navy microbiologist Anca Selariu, hope that they will cope with this difficult task.
Alexander Martynenko