100 Days of Isolation - ESA Launches Space Study in Cologne - ESA Seeks Volunteers for 100-Day Space Isolation Experiment in 2026

The European Space Agency is looking for six volunteers to take part in a 100-day isolation study. The research will take place in a Cologne laboratory and aims to prepare for long space missions. Applications are open until December 12 on the website dlr-probandensuche.de. The German Aerospace Center will run the study in spring 2026. Volunteers will live in a simulated space station with strict daily routines. Their beds will be tilted downward by six degrees at the head to mimic the effects of weightlessness in space.

The goal is to understand how to reduce the physical harm caused by long periods without gravity. Participants must be aged between 25 and 55, physically fit, and hold a university degree. They will also need excellent English skills. Each volunteer will receive €23,000 for taking part. The findings will support future missions to distant destinations like the Moon or Mars. The study will provide key insights into how astronauts can stay healthy during extended space travel. It will also help improve conditions for crews on long-duration flights.