NASA: This is the Mars habitat for 4 volunteers, with a gym, PlayStation and many, many dunes

NASA it is preparing everything for the sending of astronauts to Mars, be it in this decade or in the following ones. One of his plans is to adapt 4 volunteers to life in a habitat similar to that of the planet, created by the company Icon in 3D: this is the Mars Dune Alpha.

Located in the Johnson Center in Houston and designed by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, this 5,600-square-foot space it has all the elements for confined survival.

From gym to growing areas, including a room to play PlayStation. But above all there will be dunes, many dunes, trying to mimic the martian biome.

The red sand reigns in the place, with high security boots for the volunteers, as well as protective suits.

“It is a sequence of three mission simulations on the surface of Mars during one year”, describes the Texan company Icon. “Analog missions will provide valuable knowledge and information to assess NASA Space Power System, as well as performance outcomes and physical and behavioral health for future space missions.”

Adjusting to life in the Mars lander created by NASA

Obviously the climate is not the same as Mars, with its thin atmosphere, powerful winds, devilish dust and extreme temperatures of -55 °C on average.

What is sought is that these 4 astronauts adapt to life within the module that would be built on the planet in the future. We have already seen, for example, how SpaceX poses it, thanks to a video posted this week by Elon Musk’s company.

“Throughout the year”, explica Business Insider, “The crew will carry out different activities, including simulated spacewalks and robotic operations. They will also farm, exercise, maintain habitat, and maintain personal hygiene.”

“NASA will use the research from the Mars Dune Alpha simulations to inform risk and resource trades,” Icon said. “To support crew health and performance for future missions to Mars, when astronauts live and work on the red planet for long periods of time.”

At the moment it is unknown who will be the 4 volunteers and when they will begin their adaptation to the terrain.