*September 6, 2016 editor’s note: The story has been updated to reflect the new application deadline of September 12, 2016.

Researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa are seeking crewmembers for a new series of NASA -funded long duration space exploration analog studies.

These types of studies are essential for NASA to understand how teams of astronauts will perform on long-duration space exploration missions, such as those that will be required for human travel to Mars. The studies will also allow researchers to recommend strategies for crew composition for such missions, and to determine how best to support such crews while they are working in space.

The upcoming missions will be conducted at the Hawaiʻi Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) site, an isolated Mars-like environment on the slopes of Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi at approximately 8,200 feet above sea level. Crewmember participants will live in the same modern geodesic dome habitat that successfully supported four long duration NASA -funded studies including a year-long study of team cohesion that garnered national media attention this year.

Key Dates (subject to change)

Mission A: 2017 January–September (8 month mission)

Mission B: 2018 January–September (8 month mission)

Subjects will be compensated for their participation and for associated travel and housing costs.

Requirements

Applicants must be between 21 and 65 years of age. They must be tobacco-free, able to pass a class 2 flight physical examination, and able to understand, speak and write fluently in English. They must meet the basic requirements of the NASA astronaut program (i.e. an undergraduate degree in a science or engineering discipline, three years of experience or graduate study, etc.); in addition, they will be evaluated for experience considered valuable in the program, such as experience in complex operational environments.

Pre-screening will be carried out by a panel of experts who are familiar with the astronaut selection process. Candidates selected for further evaluation and screening will be contacted by e-mail to schedule a screening. There will be no charge to applicants for any screening procedures, and no risks in these procedures over and above those of daily life.

How to Apply

The deadline for applications is September 12, 2016. Instructions for applicants are posted at the HI-SEAS website.