Jokers please: first human Mars mission may need onboard comedians

Researchers are working with Nasa to see if clowns help team cohesion on long space missions

Wanted: smart, fit and unflappable applicants for humanity's first mission to Mars. Must have: crazy wig, oversized boots and a big red nose.

It is enough to make Neil Armstrong spin in his grave, but researchers have found that the success of a future mission to the red planet may depend on the ship having a class clown.