Japanese Space Agency Is Offering $3,500 To Volunteers Willing To Spend 14 Days In A Simulated Space Station

Would you accept USD 3,500 to pretend to be an astronaut?  Most people who are fascinated by space probably would.  And now JAXA, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency are looking for eight people to come and spend two weeks in their simulated space station. And they’re offering 380 thousand yen, which is the equivalent of USD 3,500.

The eight volunteers need to be between the age of 20 and 55 which is quite a wide age range.  They of course need to be in good health and be able to carry out various tasks in the Tsukuba Space Centre.  The volunteers will spend 14 days in an isolated set up, mimicking the life of astronauts on board the International Space Station.

It could be the opportunity of a lifetime. The candidates will work hard but will earn well for their work and of course their work is likely to be a dream come true.  A simulated space station is almost exactly the same as being in space.  All the pictures you have seen of astronauts floating around a space station - they’re real - and that’s exactly what the candidates will be doing.

Being an astronaut is not so easy.  Apart from long hours and very cramped conditions, astronauts do undergo several body changes. Due to the lack of exercise they can have weakened muscles and bones, changes in eye pressure, confusion with balance and disorientation.  Sometimes astronauts feel queasy, sometimes they lose track of their body orientation.  It can be weird and uncomfortable - but imagine the adventure!

JAXA are offering an incredible opportunity.  If you are keen, look online to see if you qualify.  You would have to undergo a fair amount of testing before you are accepted into such a trial - and the competition will be tough!  Only good news - you don’t need to be agile. Having no gravity does that for you!