What if someone told you that you could earn $5,000 just for lying in bed? Sounds like the dream job, right? Well, it’s not a dream—it’s a real opportunity being offered by the European Space Agency (ESA). The agency is looking for volunteers who are willing to spend 10 days in bed to help scientists understand how the human body reacts to conditions similar to space.
The experiment will take place at the Medes Space Clinic inside Toulouse University Hospital in France, and participants will get €4,100 (around $5,000) for their time.
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Why the ESA Is Paying People to Stay in Bed
This study might sound like an excuse to relax, but it’s actually serious space science. Astronauts who spend weeks or months in orbit face several physical challenges. In space, the absence of gravity means their muscles don’t work as hard, their bones lose density, and their blood and body fluids shift upward toward the head.
To simulate that on Earth, scientists use what’s called a “dry immersion” study. Volunteers will lie down on waterbeds, covered with waterproof fabric, so they remain dry but are evenly suspended in water. This setup gives the same sensation of floating that astronauts feel in space — minus the rocket launch and zero-gravity cabin.
According to ESA, 10 volunteers will take part in the experiment. They’ll remain submerged up to their torso while their arms and head stay above water. This environment mimics the “weightlessness” effect, helping researchers observe how the body reacts when it’s not fully supported by gravity.
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What Volunteers Can Expect
For 10 days, participants will have to stay in bed 24 hours a day. They won’t be allowed to stand, sit up, or walk around. All meals, hygiene routines, and medical checkups will happen right there in bed.
It might sound easy, but spending that much time completely still can be surprisingly tough. Lying down constantly can affect circulation, cause muscle stiffness, and even make simple movements feel strange once you stand up again.
Scientists will monitor how the volunteers’ muscles, bones, and cardiovascular system respond throughout the study. The data collected will help the ESA and other space organizations design better exercise and rehabilitation programs for astronauts during long missions — like future trips to Mars or extended stays on the International Space Station (ISS).
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A Relaxing Challenge or a Tough Test?
While some might think this sounds like getting paid to nap, it’s actually quite demanding. Participants need to meet specific health and fitness criteria before being accepted. They must also be mentally prepared for long periods of inactivity and isolation.
The Medes Space Clinic is well known for this kind of study. It has previously worked with NASA and other agencies to simulate spaceflight conditions. Researchers emphasize that while it’s safe, it’s also a serious scientific project that contributes directly to space medicine and human physiology research.
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How to Apply
ESA occasionally opens recruitment for these studies through their official website and research partners. Applicants are usually required to be healthy adults within a certain age and BMI range, non-smokers, and free from chronic medical conditions.
If you’re interested in space, science, and don’t mind lying still for days, this could be your chance to contribute to real research — and earn a few thousand dollars in the process.
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Why Studies Like This Matter
While this experiment might sound unusual, it’s a vital part of preparing humans for deep space exploration. Every bit of information gathered helps scientists make long-term missions safer. Understanding how the body reacts to “weightlessness” helps create better exercise machines, diet plans, and medical support for astronauts.
So, while it might look like an easy paycheck for doing nothing, volunteers are actually helping unlock the secrets of how humans can survive and thrive beyond Earth.
For those who’ve ever dreamed of getting paid to relax, this might be the most unique opportunity out there. Ten days in bed, no commute, no emails just science and sleep.
But behind the comfort lies a serious mission: helping humanity take one more step toward the stars.