NASA is recruiting test subjects to spend 70 days in bed while being monitored to help scientists better understand the effects of space travel on astronauts. Participants will get $160 a day, reports Wired; at 70 days, that a haul of $11,200.
It’s not quite as cushy a job as it sounds at first, though.
The head is to be tilted slightly downward with the feet elevated. This can produce similar effects on the body as weightlessness.
Exercise will also be required. Specially designed treadmills and other equipment will be used for aerobic exercise and weight training while participants are in the lying-down position.
The Bed Rest Project has gone through multiple rounds, and some participants have blogged about it. “PillowNaut” on Blogspot said it was an opportunity for her to catch up on those 30 books she’s been meaning to read for the past decade. She did three of the programs and said it did not negatively impact her health.
She is excited about the contribution to science, not just the money, though she was happy to have her approximately $5,000 a month. She quotes another “pillownaut,” Justin: “The novelty of lying down wears off pretty quick. But knowing you’re actually making a contribution to NASA’s space program is very rewarding.”
