The new NASA Mars challenge wants space fans to help them create a virtual reality environment of the Red Planet. 

(Photo : Photo by Gene Duncan/Walt Disney World Resort via Getty Images)
In this handout image provided by Walt Disney World Resort, a simulated Mars Rover makes tracks through red soil at Walt Disney World Resort April 6, 2004 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

In partnership with HeroX, a crowdsourcing platform, and Epic Games, NASA launched a new competition. 

The independent space union said that participants need to replicate the situations and experiences that astronauts could encounter on Mars. 

New NASA Mars Challenge 

According to Space.Com's latest report, the new NASA Mars challenge's participants need to have software skills. 

(Photo : Photo credit should read -/AFP via Getty Images)
This artist impression image released by European Space Agency (ESA) shows Mars Express in orbit around Mars. Mars Express, launched by a Soyuz fregat 02 June 2003 will eject the Beagle 2 lander 19 December 2003. Beagle 2 will make its own way to the correct landing site on the surface.

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"We are launching this sequel challenge to engage a greater number of thinkers and creators," said HeroX CEO Kal Sahota. She added that they had a lot of success with the recent Mars challenge. 

Now, HeroX and NASA hope that the participants will provide more innovative ideas that can help in creating a virtual Mars environment. 

As of writing, NASA and its partners have no immediate plans to send human astronauts to the Red Planet. 

Mars is a harsher planet compared to Earth. Because of this, humans who will be sent there need to be prepared in order to survive the Red Planet.  

MarsXR 2's Details

The new Mars challenge called MarsXR 2 welcomes anyone who is skilled enough to create new software that can help make a virtual environment of the Red Planet. 

Those who are interested can visit HeroX's official website to join the competition. Once you are there, you need to provide sign up using your Google or Facebook account. 

The MarsXR 2 has two phases; Storyboarding and MarsXR Engine development. 

In Phase 1, NASA will select up to 10 winners; they will share a total cash prize of $20,000. In Phase 2, there could be up to 15 winners who will share a grand total of $70,000. 

The Phase 1 challenge can be done until Mar. 30. On the other hand, the Phase 2 should be completed Aug. 3.  

If you are interested in joining the latest MarsXR 2, you can click this link. 

In other news, a NASA spacecraft was designed using artificial intelligence. We also reported about the first NASA all-electric aircraft, which is almost ready to fly! 

For more news updates about NASA and its other space missions, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.  

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