Volunteers Emerge Today After Year-Long NASA Mars Simulation
After 378 days inside a simulated Mars habitat, the four volunteers for NASA’s yearlong Mars mission simulation are returning home. The crew members—Kelly Haston, Anca Selariu, Ross Brockwell, and Nathan Jones—are set to exit the 3D-printed habitat in Houston this evening. You can watch their return live on NASA TV starting at 5 PM ET.
This event concludes NASA’s first Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) mission. NASA has plans for two more yearlong missions, with applications for one already accepted.
The Mission 1 crew entered the 1700-square-foot habitat at the Johnson Space Center on June 25 of last year. During their stay, they conducted simulated Marswalks, grew vegetables, and performed tasks essential for life and work on Mars, including habitat maintenance. Although exact dates for the second CHAPEA mission haven’t been set yet, it is expected to begin in spring 2025.
