The European Space Agency is offering $5,000 to anyone willing to spend 10 days flat on their back—literally. The agency is conducting a study to simulate the effects of zero gravity by having participants lie on waterbeds without getting up, even for the bathroom.
The experiment, called “dry immersion,” will take place at the Medes Space Clinic in France. Ten men will spend over a week suspended in waterproof fabric inside tubs of warm water. The setup mimics the sensation of floating in space and helps researchers understand how weightlessness affects the human body.
During the experiment, participants won’t be allowed visitors and won’t be able to stand for the entire experiment. They’ll eat meals using a floating board and will be wheeled to the bathroom while staying horizontal. Not quite the wellness retreat of our dreams.
ESA says the research could lead to better treatments for astronauts, the elderly and people who are bedridden long-term. Effects of microgravity include muscle loss, bone density reduction, fluid shifts to the brain and even changes to the shape of the eyes.
One catch: the study is only open to men. ESA hasn’t said why, though past studies often limit gender to control variables. So, if you’re a man with a few weeks to kill and a tolerance for medical monitoring, this might be your easiest paycheck yet.
