‘Work the night shift on Mars’: NASA unveils retro recruitment posters
NASA has released retro recruitment posters that attempt to inspire people in joining the mission to Mars. The WWI- and WWII-inspired posters target teachers, explorers, surveyors, welders, technicians and farmers.
The images, titled ‘Mars Explorers Wanted,’ were designed for an exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitors’ Complex in 2009. The total of eight posters show what positions might be needed once humans make their way to Mars.
The full set is now available online to the public in its full size.
The images imply that one day people will be able to hike, assemble equipment and grow fresh fruits and vegetables on Mars.
“Explorers wanted on the journey to Mars: Hike the solar system's largest canyon, Valles Marineris on Mars, where you can catch blue sunsets in the twilight, and see the two moons of Mars (Phobos and Deimos) in the night sky,” one poster says.
Another one reads: “Work the night shift on Martian moon Phobos: Night owls welcome! If you lived on Mars' moon Phobos, you'd have an office with a view, mining for resources with Mars in the night sky. Settlers below on Mars would see Phobos rise and set not once, but twice in one day!”
For the wannabe space farmers a poster reads: “Farmers wanted for survival on Mars: Got a green thumb? This one's for you! In space, you can grow tomatoes, lettuce, peas and radishes just like you would find in your summer garden. New ways of growing fresh food will be needed to keep brave explorers alive.”
For people who are interested in building things in space, NASA writes: “Assembly required to build our future on Mars and its moons: Are you someone who can put things together, solving challenges to ensure survival? Dare to forge our future with space-age tools – build spaceships to carry us to Mars and back, and habitats to protect us while we're there.”
The key component of the posters is the individual. The NASA ads say: “We need you: We need many things for our Journey To Mars, but one key piece is YOU!”
