Here’s How Lying Down for 10 Days Could Earn You Rs 4.7 Lakh

The European Space Agency (ESA) is paying volunteers Rs 4.72 lakh (€5,000) for participating in a unique 10-day study that requires them to lie down. But there is a twist.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is paying volunteers Rs 4.72 lakh (€5,000) for participating in a unique 10-day study that requires them to lie down. But there is a twist. Read on to find out.

The experiment, part of ESA’s Vivaldi III campaign, is being conducted at the Medes space clinic in Toulouse, France.

In this experiment, volunteers are required to lie down on specialised waterbeds designed to recreate the effects of spaceflight on the human body. The participants are made to lie in bathtub-like containers covered with waterproof fabric, which keeps them dry while suspending them evenly in water. This creates a floating sensation similar to what astronauts experience on the International Space Station.

During the study, volunteers remain in a laid-back position even during bathroom breaks, where they are transferred to a trolley. Meals are served on floating boards with neck pillows for support. While the experiment may seem isolating, participants are allowed to use their phones to stay in touch with loved ones.

Following the 10-day immersion period, participants will undergo five days of post-experiment recovery and report for a follow-up visit 10 days after getting up.

Studying the Human Body’s Reaction

The Vivaldi experiment aims to understand how the human body adapts to space conditions, helping scientists develop preventive measures to ensure astronaut health and performance.

In parallel, ESA is also conducting a separate 10-day head-down bed rest study involving 10 male participants. Comparing the results from both experiments will help ESA refine its understanding of spaceflight effects on the body.

“By extending the duration of dry immersion and comparing it to bed rest, we are refining our understanding of how these analogues simulate life in space, the different physiological effects and how they complement each other,” said Ann-Kathrin Vlacil, ESA’s team leader for enabling science in human exploration.

Recruitment for the Vivaldi III experiment began last year, with volunteers required to meet specific criteria. Eligible candidates had to be men aged 20 to 40, measuring between 1.65m and 1.80m in height, with a BMI between 20 and 26. Participants were also required to have no allergies or dietary restrictions.

This ground-breaking study aims to enhance astronaut health strategies while offering volunteers a rare opportunity to contribute to space science — all while getting paid to relax.

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