A team of NASA scientists exited a simulation of Mars on Saturday after spending more than a year on the fake red planet.
The four crew members exited the 17,000-square-foot, 3D-printed habitat and walked to a press conference. “It’s just so awesome to be able to say ‘hi’ to all of you,” said Kelly Haston, mission commander.
The mission was the first of NASA’s Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog program, which aims to collect data on human health and performance within the resource limits of Mars.
The four volunteers entered the 17,000-square-meter (180,000-square-foot) 3D-printed habitat on June 25, 2023. Nathan Jones, the mission’s medical officer, said the 378 days in the habitat “went by quickly.”
The crew tackled challenges that future astronauts may face during a manned mission, including “Mars walks,” communication delays, and growing and harvesting vegetables.
“Why go to Mars? Because it is possible,” said Anca Selariu, the mission’s science officer. “Because space can unite us and bring out the best in us. Because it is a decisive step that ‘Earthlings’ will take to light the way to the next centuries.”
Missions a test run for Mars
The goal of the CHAPEA missions is to gather data on people’s health and performance in advance of efforts to put humans on the Red Planet. The first mission focused on nutrition, said Steve Koerner, deputy director of the Johnson Space Center.
“They’re separated from their families, given a carefully prescribed meal plan and extensively observed,” Koerner said, calling the work “crucial science in preparing to send humans to the red planet.”
Brockwell noted that the mission was an exercise in resource management.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to live the idea that we should not use resources faster than they can be replenished, and we should not produce waste faster than they can be converted into resources,” Brockwell said. “We cannot live, dream, create, or explore in any significant time frame if we do not live by these principles, but if we do, we can accomplish and sustain amazing and inspiring things, like exploring other worlds.”
According to NASA, two more CHAEPA missions are planned.