Imagine being paid $18,000 to do nothing but just to lie in bed for two months— yes, it sounds like a wild offer, something straight out of a strange dream. But it’s real. The Toulouse Space Clinic (MEDES) is on the lookout for volunteers to take part in a groundbreaking experiment, one that seeks to unravel the mysteries of weightlessness on the human body. It’s a chance to lie still and let science happen around you— though the implications stretch far beyond your mattress.
This experiment isn’t just about comfort— it’s about space, and the challenges astronauts face when they drift beyond Earth’s gravity. In an environments of space where the gravity is zero, bones weaken, muscles waste away. For those who are brave enough to venture into the unknown and quite unfamiliar, these physical effects are more than minor inconveniences; they’re serious risks. So, what’s the solution? The clinic wants to see if lying in bed for weeks can replicate those conditions, and if certain interventions can help.
Need some rest? NASA will pay you $18,500 to lay in bed for 2 months straight https://t.co/c2djFNQYgz pic.twitter.com/4O5S7MF9D9
— Travel + Leisure (@TravelLeisure) March 29, 2019
Twelve volunteers. Sixty days. Divided into three groups:
- One group lies still, day in and day out
- Another will cycle their way through the study
- The final group will cycle… but inside a centrifuge, mimicking the pull of gravity
Dr. Arnaud Beck, one of the scientists guiding this project, spoke of the delicacy in balance they’re trying to find. Movement and artificial gravity—will that be the key to keeping astronauts fit during months-long space missions? If so, it might change how we prepare for a travel deep into the space, how we train for Mars.
But before you start dreaming about a cushy paycheck for lounging, there are some strings attached. The clinic is selective about who gets to take part. You need to be in peak health, aged between 20 and 45, with a BMI between 20 and 27. No smoking, no major food restrictions. Only those with a solid fitness routine will be considered—because even though you’ll spend weeks in bed, the toll on the body is real, and recovery isn’t easy. After those 60 days, you’ll spend another two weeks just getting your strength back.
And why does any of this matter? Well, this experiment is about much more than a paycheck or a strange opportunity to stay horizontal. The knowledge gained could reshape how we approach space travel— keeping astronauts fit and fine, ready for longer journeys. It could also help those here on Earth—patients who are bedridden for long periods, for instance, may one day benefit from the insights gathered during this study. The European Space Agency and CNES (the French Space Agency) are both behind the project, recognizing just how far-reaching its effects could be.
Scientists searching for 10 healthy men willing to lie in bed 2 months straight for $16,000. pic.twitter.com/gGJKdDIzMA
— Joel Franco (@OfficialJoelF) April 9, 2017
More than just a brief stint in bed, this is a rare chance to contribute to something truly out of this world. You’ll work with top scientists, and who knows— what they learn from you could one day make life in space more compatible and thereby endurable, or even open doors for treatments back here at home.
It’s a strange thought, isn’t it? That lying in bed for two months could help shape the future of space exploration. But sometimes, the most extraordinary advancements come from the quietest, stillest places— even from a bed in France, where your only job is to keep calm, stay still and let the future unfold around you.
Major Points
- The Toulouse Space Clinic is offering $18,000 for volunteers to stay in bed for 60 days.
- The study aims to mimic the effects of weightlessness on the body, helping astronauts prepare for long space missions.
- Participants will be split into three groups: those lying still, those cycling, and those cycling in a centrifuge to simulate gravity.
- Strict health requirements mean only fit, non-smokers aged 20-45 can participate, with recovery taking weeks after the experiment.
- The research could revolutionize space travel and benefit bedridden patients on Earth.
Al Santana – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
