NationStates Jolt Archive

*volunteers*

Live specimen from the species Homo sapiens are needed to conduct a 520-day experiment in isolation. The specimens will experience what a trip to Mars is like and endure things such as confinement in a small space, astronaut food, and delayed radio contact. Specimens will be compensated with €62 400 ($83,778/£42,143) or €120/day ($161/£81).

Link (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070619/sc_afp/spacemarseurope_070619110956)

LE BOURGET, France (AFP) - The European Space Agency (ESA) on Tuesday called for applications for one of the most demanding human experiments in space history: a simulated trip to Mars in which six "astronauts" will spend 17 months in an isolation tank on Earth.

Their spaceship will comprise a series of interlocked modules in an research institute in Moscow, and once the doors are closed tight, the volunteers will be cut off from all contact with the outside world except by a delayed radio link.

They will face simulated emergencies, daily work routines and experiments, as well as boredom and, no doubt, personal friction from confinement in just 550 cubic metres (19,250 cubic feet), the equivalent of nine truck containers.

Communications with the simulated mission control and loved-ones will take up to 40 minutes, the time that a radio signal takes to cross the void between Earth and a spaceship on Mars. Food will comprise mainly the packaged stuff of the kind eaten aboard the
International Space Station (ISS).

The goal is to gain experience about the psychological challenges that a crew will face on a trip to Mars.

Four of the crew will be Russian, and two will come from countries that are members of ESA, agency and Russian officials said at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget.

In all, 12 European volunteers are needed.

A precursor 105-day study is scheduled to start by mid-2008, possibly followed by another 105-day study, before the full 520-day study begins in late 2008 or early 2009.

Backup for the two volunteers taking part in each of these simulations means that 12 Europeans are needed.

"The selection procedure is similar to that of ESA astronauts, although there will be more emphasis on psychological factors and stress resistance than on physical fitness," ESA said in a press release.

Men and women who think they have the right stuff can download the application form on (http://www.spaceflight.esa.int/CallforCandidates).

The terrestrial Mars-stronauts will not get much glory for their confinement, nor will they get particularly rich.

They will get paid 120 euros (158 dollars) a day, said Marc Heppener of ESA's Science and Application Division.

Viktor Baranov of Russia's Institute of Biomedical Problems, where the experiment will take place, said his organisation had received about 150 applications, only 19 of which came from women.

"The problem is that it is very difficult to find healthy people for this kind of experiment," he said.

Assuming that Mars and Earth are favourably aligned, with their closest distance of 56 million kilometres (35 million miles), it would take 250 days to get there, 30 days spent on site to conduct experiments and 240 days for the return, said Baranov.

A trip to Mars is not an early prospect. The United States has set plans to return to the Moon by 2018 and later head to Mars, but without setting a date.

The trip is fraught with many technical challenges, many of which are outranked by the question of keeping the crew healthy and sane.

For that cash, fuck yeah.


edit: Wait, do I get porn?

If I have no job, yes.

Oooo! Nice pay!

that looks cool, I'd volunteer...

Cool! I think I would volunteer here. I don't like people anyways.
What if your companions were a--holes??

EDIT: Gah! I hate the time warp! (And Rejistania's post is being pushed down further by Swilatia's post! *insert complex Einstein equation here*)

Nope, not enough payment.

Cool! I think I would volunteer here. I don't like people anyways.

What if your companions were a--holes??

What if one of your companions is me? :D

What if your companions were a--holes??

EDIT: Gah! I hate the time warp!
How is that different from normal? :p Not being able to escape the a--holes? that is also true outside such an experiment.

Nope, not enough payment.

Agreed.

I might settle at 150-200k though.

Nope, not enough payment.

Keep in mind that you'd also be living rent and expense free for that 520 days.

I'm assuming. They don't typically charge astronauts rent. :p

17 months... a little too long.

Keep in mind that you'd also be living rent and expense free for that 520 days.

I'm assuming. They don't typically charge astronauts rent. :p

Still, I'm not willing to spend over a year without NSG.

Absolutely...just give me a goodly quantity of e-books and I'm in in in!

What if one of your companions is me? :D

That's worse.

I'd actually love to do something like that.

Especially if it the experiment results made a manned mission to Mars viable.

What if one of your companions is me? :D
That would be cool! It'd at least mean that there was someone who has a good sense of humour and can keep things entertaining.

I'd actually love to do something like that.

Especially if it the experiment results made a manned mission to Mars viable.

Same here. While the monetary benefit is quite enticing, the benefit to science and humanity is also of note. To be able to tell my future grandkids "I helped pave the way for the missions to Mars" would be something I'd love to do.

The money is not good enough to compensate for missing out on a year and a half of my life.

I would still think about it in the name of research, but only if I get some say in who will be going with me. I am sure the real mission will take the interactions between crew members seriously - you cannot put people who do not get along into a confined space and expect good results.

Obviously sex is going to be an issue - must have someone with compatible proclivities available for each of the crew. More than one preferably. Confined into such a small area, tensions will be high anyway, so jealousy over the only female on a ship full of heterosexual men would be a foolish strain.

Same here. While the monetary benefit is quite enticing, the benefit to science and humanity is also of note. To be able to tell my future grandkids "I helped pave the way for the missions to Mars" would be something I'd love to do.

I think that would be WAAAAAAAY larger than the money.

I could do it pretty easily actually. I already isolate myself and have no troubles with small spaces. *imagines all the reading he could get done*

It sounds like a fun experiment. Too bad I have a life or else I would be signing up. Also too bad they dont get the zero gravity.

Also, I bet I could get some good money offering bj's to the rest of the crew if we don't get to bring our significant others. Yes, I am willing to be a space prostitue.

And the most shocking development? This is not for a reality show!

I would sign up...

a laptop... my portable HDD's full of RPG games...


yeah, I could deal with the isolation, and depending on my 'crewmates'... :p

no sex for 520 days? nope. That's not enough money.

Besides, I might miss my family.........

no sex for 520 days? nope. That's not enough money.

Besides, I might miss my family.........

Out of curiousity have the effects of zero gravity sex ever been documented? It sounds messy to me

Yeah, I'd do it. Money or not.


And the most shocking development? This is not for a reality show!
^

Out of curiousity have the effects of zero gravity sex ever been documented? It sounds messy to me

I have no clue. If I couldn't take hubby with me, I wouldn't have an opportunity for sex though.......

Lol, people think this experiment would be like staying two years in their basement.

This thing will be brutal. Basicaly, you will be a guinea pig and they will make you face all kinds of stuff, from staying without water for 1 week to no lights, low temperature and much worst stuff. Also, youll have to deal with a daily routine, chores and work.

Myself? Maybe.

Out of curiousity have the effects of zero gravity sex ever been documented? It sounds messy to me

Dunno, that will probabily suck.

I mean, imagine cleaning the stuff... Or realizing that there is sperm floating around you, and that the air you will breath for 540 days is the same of the one the guy ejaculated on.

I guess that is why they need the experiments. These astronauts will have to be pretty hardcore people.

Btw, you can stay 520 days without sex, please, you dont need to be a priest. If they can, someone with the right mindset can too.

Btw, you CANT TAKE A SHOWER. I dont know about most people, but I wouldnt like to spend 540 days without taking a shower, and have sex ocasionaly and become even more dirty.

What if one of your companions is me? :D
You won't go.

No mud.

I'd go I figure I could use the time to finish my book...

all work and no play make Jack a dull boy
all work and no play make Jack a dull boy
all work and no play make Jack a dull boy
all work and no play make jAck a dull boy
all work and no play make Jack a dull boy

Yeah, I would.

I would be quite intrested to see what steps they take to work round the breaches in ethical practice this study would have (protection of participant from mental and physical harm and possibly informed consent). As there is no other way to get the results, the study should be allowed to go ahead, but they are going to have to find methods of reduce how much they overstep ethical practice.
I'd imagine that if any participants showed any severed mental or physical trauma, they would be pulled out imediately and possibly end the experiment. A pretty detailed breifing and debreifing would make sense in terms of informed consent (consent) and dealing with the emotional aftermath (mental health).

For $158 a day it seemed worthwhile maybe, then I realized I was making $160+ a day without being in a close-quarters, isolation tank with other people.

no sex for 520 days? nope. That's not enough money.

Besides, I might miss my family.........
... the effects of isolation on a typical family w/ children...

£81 a day? That's what, £3.40 an hour?

Come back when you're offering minimum wage.

£81 a day? That's what, £3.40 an hour?

Come back when you're offering minimum wage.

They are. You get food, housing and incidentals included. You walk out with every penny of that money. Plus you get paid to sleep and play. There's no minimum wage job that would do that.

£81 a day? That's what, £3.40 an hour?

Come back when you're offering minimum wage.
The work day in Britain is 24 hours? Fuck that.

Hmm... This sounds actually quite interesting :)

Although I have to leave my home then. But having 60K of cash sounds nice :)

Hmm, reading more carefully it seems that I'm just too young :( I'll be 23 when the first 100 day period starts... And they're looking for 25 and older :(

for $161 a day its not worth it. It would have to be at least 500-600 a day for me to consider it.
They should put cameras in the capsule and sell the footage, turn it into a reality show. who knows, they might even make enough money to finance the actual mars mission ^_^

for $161 a day its not worth it. It would have to be at least 500-600 a day for me to consider it.
They should put cameras in the capsule and sell the footage, turn it into a reality show. who knows, they might even make enough money to finance the actual mars mission ^_^

... $161 a day... for the experience to feel what most astronauts have to go through without the weightlessness and other health obsticals (no 0-G toilet to use.)

Edit: Added to that the fact that during the experimentation of 17 months... you will not, I repeat... NOT be spending any of that money on ANYTHING!!! Not on food, not on clothes, not on electricity, bills or whatnot. I had a friend assigned to a backwater air base where there was NOTHING to do. he was bored out of his mind, but his opinion of that assignment changed when he got back and saw his bank account. minimal withdrawls with normal/sightly higher pay. can you say VERY FAT bank account?


Now, a reality show...

you know... this just might work... each week, someone is voted to be voided off the station...

I would do it just to get to know some Europeans and Soviet people outside of On-line gabbing. :p

Finally a job for lazy introverts, Where do I sign up?

I could earn double that in that amount of time and not have to suffer the confinement. As tantalizing a prospect the voyage itself would be, I value my life a bit too much.

Personally, no. I could not live well in those conditions, and the compensation is too low for the hardship.

i would do it for free. probably be a whole lot better then my life right now. being paid salary to do nothing most of the time and given a place to sleep and food to eat. most likely very good health care (no doubt they will be monitoring your body functions for the whole time.) sounds like one of the best jobs ever.

hopefully the other crew members will be female with nightly sexy parties.

Per-day rate is too low. I was screened today for a medical study that pays $750 over two days. It'd take at least that kind of money (twice what this one pays per day) for me to even consider participating.

Nope, not enough payment.

No shit...works out to about $6.50 an hour, and while I'd like to be paid to sleep as much as anyone, I'd like to make more than minimum wage if I have to do it while being isolated for a year and a half.

Keep in mind that you'd also be living rent and expense free for that 520 days.

I'm assuming. They don't typically charge astronauts rent. :p

Regardless...they aren't offering enough money.

You'd also still have to report the income to the tax authorities of your nation of origin. You'll never see all of it.

I would require about three times what they are offering before I'd consider it. Five times the amount would seal the deal.

No shit...works out to about $6.50 an hour, and while I'd like to be paid to sleep as much as anyone, I'd like to make more than minimum wage if I have to do it while being isolated for a year and a half.



Regardless...they aren't offering enough money.

You'd also still have to report the income to the tax authorities of your nation of origin. You'll never see all of it.
meanwhile, you're forgetting the fame of being part of that 'experiment' including book deals, maybe a movie contract, paid appearances, and maybe more... but you're right... pay too low. :rolleyes:

meanwhile, you're forgetting the fame of being part of that 'experiment' including book deals, maybe a movie contract, paid appearances, and maybe more... but you're right... pay too low. :rolleyes:
Assuming you survived.

Assuming you survived.

1) IF I don't survive, then pay won't matter.
2) It's SIMULATED... at a Research Institute. thus the people inside will be monitored because of specific answers the researchers are looking for.
3)...
"The selection procedure is similar to that of ESA astronauts, although there will be more emphasis on psychological factors and stress resistance than on physical fitness," ESA said in a press release.
so going crazy would be a greater fear than death. :p

1) IF I don't survive, then pay won't matter.
If it entailed a high risk, high reward would be necessary.

2) It's SIMULATED... at a Research Institute. thus the people inside will be monitored because of specific answers the researchers are looking for.
I need to read the OP's better.

Still, 520 days is not enough to lure me into those conditions at that price, even with all the added perks.

1) IF I don't survive, then pay won't matter.
2) It's SIMULATED... at a Research Institute. thus the people inside will be monitored because of specific answers the researchers are looking for.
3)...

so going crazy would be a greater fear than death. :p
Das Experiment was simulated...(well, the original experiment the film was based on was, anyway).

The work day in Britain is 24 hours? Fuck that.
You'd get paid £81 a day and you have to give up all of your time. You can't just get up in the morning, go in to containment then leave 8 hours later. Based on the 24-hour working day that it would effectively be, it pays £3.40 an hour.

but it isn't High Risk. med risk maybe (if they are not actually monitoring the situation,) but not High Risk.
Hence the 'if'. It was based on my silly previous misunderstanding. I felt the need to qualify the statement anyway.

*shrugs* that's up to you. everyone has their own motivations. :cool:
I'd consider 100 days in the Big Brother house enough to drive me insane. Imagine 520 days in these conditions.

meanwhile, you're forgetting the fame of being part of that 'experiment' including book deals

Meh.

maybe a movie contract

Keep dreaming

paid appearances

Bwahahaha!!!


and maybe more

To clairfy...you are the guinea pig....NOT the freakin astronaut going to Mars.

The astronauts will get these things. YOU will be lucky to get a book deal, and even if you do, few people will care.

...but you're right... pay too low. :rolleyes:

:rolleyes:

I can do that too.

If it entailed a high risk, high reward would be necessary.but it isn't High Risk. med risk maybe (if they are not actually monitoring the situation,) but not High Risk.

Still, 520 days is not enough to lure me into those conditions at that price, even with all the added perks. *shrugs* that's up to you. everyone has their own motivations. :cool:

Das Experiment was simulated...(well, the original experiment the film was based on was, anyway).baised... not a documentary... thus things can be... exaggerated or made up to make for a better film.

also the Stanford Prision Experiment was terminated when it was shown to be psychologically and physically damaging (six days.)

You'd get paid £81 a day and you have to give up all of your time. You can't just get up in the morning, go in to containment then leave 8 hours later. Based on the 24-hour working day that it would effectively be, it pays £3.40 an hour.like the Navy? you can't exactly leave once the ship/submarine leaves port ya know... then again, same with working on a cruise line. you can't exactly walk off the job when the ship's in the middle of the ocean.

and the big part of this simulation is the effects of boredom as well as confinement. being able to leave every 8 hours defeats the purpose.

Meh.



Keep dreaming



Bwahahaha!!!




To clairfy...you are the guinea pig....NOT the freakin astronaut going to Mars.

The astronauts will get these things. YOU will be lucky to get a book deal, and even if you do, few people will care.
For participating in such an experiment? heck, you have OJ jurors getting offers of book deals from their experiences. You would definately be in the news, and what you do with your 15 mins of fame can either turn you into a star, or not. that's up to you, the choices you make, and your attitude. Play your cards right, and you can probably get top dollar for that story.

:rolleyes:

I can do that too. wow... where did I say you couldn't post a rolleye smilie?

or that must be the ONLY thing you saw in that part of the post. :rolleyes:

I'd consider 100 days in the Big Brother house enough to drive me insane. Imagine 520 days in these conditions.now... for Big Brother... that's different.

very different...

Painfully different...

which is why the prize is much... much bigger! :D

umm maybe, is there going to be a chick in there with me? and do i get magazines? somekind of fun entertainment?

For participating in such an experiment? heck, you have OJ jurors getting offers of book deals from their experiences.

The average person actually gave a shit about the OJ trial.

Not the case with this experiment.

You would definately be in the news, and what you do with your 15 mins of fame can either turn you into a star, or not.

You would be in the news the day you went in, and on the day you came out.

Again...you're the guinea pig, not the astronaut. Nobody will care about you once you're out, because at that point planning for the real mission begins, and the real astronauts will be getting all the attention.

that's up to you, the choices you make, and your attitude. Play your cards right, and you can probably get top dollar for that story.

What story? "How I Spent 520 Days Locked in a Small Room"?

Such riveting drama ...the movie should win six Oscars.

wow... where did I say you couldn't post a rolleye smilie?

Nowhere...though you seem to think that it somehow reinforces your point.

or that must be the ONLY thing you saw in that part of the post. :rolleyes:

Once again...you seem to think that face adds to your argument.

You'd be wrong...but don't let that stop you.

What story? "How I Spent 520 Days Locked in a Small Room"?


"And how I plotted to get out"

Prison break is a fairly popular series after all. :p

Live specimen from the species Homo sapiens are needed to conduct a 520-day experiment in isolation. The specimens will experience what a trip to Mars is like and endure things such as confinement in a small space, astronaut food, and delayed radio contact. Specimens will be compensated with €62 400 ($83,778/£42,143) or €120/day ($161/£81).

Link (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070619/sc_afp/spacemarseurope_070619110956)

Is Puck gonna sign on? WooT!

Live specimen from the species Homo sapiens are needed to conduct a 520-day experiment in isolation. The specimens will experience what a trip to Mars is like and endure things such as confinement in a small space, astronaut food, and delayed radio contact. Specimens will be compensated with €62 400 ($83,778/£42,143) or €120/day ($161/£81).

Twenty years in the basement. Noodles. Dropped connections with no free lines on the redial.
I have the qualifications. How come I'm only getting A$20K ?

Oh, and I really want to be the first earthling to piss on Mars.

Oh, computer you say? We had one half a diode, in cardboard box! In middle of freeway!