Want to Go on a Simulated Mission to the Moon?

NASA’s Human Research Program is accepting applications for research volunteers to participate in a simulated mission to the Moon inside the agency’s Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA).

What Is HERA?

HERA is a two-and-a-half story, 650-square-foot habitat at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The facility simulates the type of isolation, confinement, and remote conditions that astronauts will experience on deep space missions.

Beginning in 2026, four missions will take place inside HERA. Each will have four volunteer crew members who live isolated and confined within HERA for 45 days. Research volunteers live and work like astronauts during the missions, carrying out maintenance, operational, and scientific tasks. They will also experience simulated communication delays with HERA’s Mission Control. Scientists assess how the environment affects the mental and physical health of participants. Resulting data helps NASA plan future human expeditions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Who Can Apply?

Openings are available for upcoming simulated Moon missions within HERA. To qualify, applicants must be:

• A United States citizen or green card holder.
• Aged 30–55.
• A nonsmoker.
• No more than 74 inches tall.
• Fluent in English (speaking, reading, and writing).
• Virtual reality tolerant.
• Able to pass a NASA Johnson physical and psychological assessment.
• Willing to consent to research studies collecting biological samples.
• Willing to consent to studies about personal behaviors, team cohesion, cognition, and communication.

Applicants also must have:

• Strong technical skills.
• A master’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics or equivalent experience (education, professional, military).
• No dietary restrictions.
• A BMI of 29 or less.
• A fasting blood sugar level of 60 mg/dL or more.
• A full COVID-19 vaccination.
• No history of sleepwalking or taking sleep aids.
• All medications approved by medical and research personnel.

Subjects per Mission: Four.

Mission Length: 68 days. This includes 45 days isolated inside the habitat, 16 days of pre-mission training and testing, and seven days of post-mission testing.

Mission Dates: Four missions are slated for 2026 through 2027.

Deadline: Rolling applications until last mission selection occurs.

Resources: Visit HERA’s webpage to read more.

Ready to apply? Click here to submit your HERA application.

Questions? Email jsc-hera@mail.nasa.gov.