Current:Home > reviews4 volunteers just entered a virtual "Mars" made by NASA. They won't come back for one year. -MarketLink
4 volunteers just entered a virtual "Mars" made by NASA. They won't come back for one year.
View
Date:2025-04-15 09:35:34
Four volunteers entered a simulated Mars habitat on Sunday, where they are expected to remain for 378 days while facing a range of challenges designed to anticipate a real-life human mission to the red planet.
The participants — research scientist Kelly Haston, structural engineer Ross Brockwell, emergency medicine physician Nathan Jones and U.S. Navy microbiologist Anca Selariu — were selected from a pool of applicants to be part of NASA's Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog, or CHAPEA, in its first yearlong mission. None of them are trained astronauts.
"Thank you all for your dedication to exploration," said Grace Douglas, the mission's principal investigator at NASA, during a briefing Sunday before they entered the habitat. "Our best wishes go with you."
Haston, designated by NASA as the commander of the simulated Mars mission, shared emotional remarks at the briefing about the importance of spaceflight and exploration, which she said "exemplifies some of the best qualities of humankind." Haston also praised fellow crew members, calling them an "amazing group of dedicated individuals who feel very passionate about space exploration and science."
"The crew has worked so hard this month to get ready for this mission," Haston said. "It has been very special to be a part of such a tremendous group of scientists and specialists from a diverse set of backgrounds working together to bring CHAPEA 1, the first of three missions, to reality."
Haston, Brockwell, Jones and Selariu will spend more than a year living and working in a simulated Mars environment built at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
During their time inside of the 3D-printed, 1,700-square-foot habitat, the crew is set to carry out an array of "mission activities," including simulated spacewalks, robotic operations, growing of crops, habitat maintenance, personal hygiene and exercise, according to NASA. At 1,700 square feet, the habitat is smaller than the average U.S. single-family house. It includes a kitchen, private crew quarters and two bathrooms, along with medical, work and recreation areas.
They crew will also face a series of obstacles that likely mirror those of a true Mars mission, as researchers simulate conditions like resource limitations, equipment failure, communication delays and environmental stressors, NASA said in a news release when it introduced the crew members in April.
"The simulation will allow us to collect cognitive and physical performance data to give us more insight into the potential impacts of long-duration missions to Mars on crew health and performance," Douglas said at that time. "Ultimately, this information will help NASA make informed decisions to design and plan for a successful human mission to Mars."
The simulated mission is the first of three planned Mars surface simulations, each of which is expected to last one year. NASA says the information collected and studied over the course of these missions, along with ongoing exploration happening on and around the moon, will help send the first astronauts to Mars in the future.
- In:
- Mars
- NASA
veryGood! (51)
Related
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- These 'America's Next Top Model' stars reunited at Pamella Roland's NYFW show: See photos
- Judge to proceed with hearing to consider motion to disqualify Fani Willis from Trump Georgia election case
- U.S. seizes Boeing 747 cargo plane that Iranian airline sold to Venezuelan company
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- What is Temu? What we know about the e-commerce company with multiple Super Bowl ads
- Pearl Jam gives details of new album ‘Dark Matter,’ drops first single, announces world tour
- West Virginia agriculture bill stokes fears about pesticide-spewing logging facility
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Israeli military says it rescued 2 hostages during Rafah raid; Gaza officials say dozens of Palestinians killed
Ranking
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- Cargo train derails in West Virginia, but no injuries or spills from cars with hazardous materials
- 'Girl dinner,' 'bussin' and 'the ick': More than 300 new entries added to Dictionary.com
- Race to succeed George Santos in Congress reaches stormy climax in New York’s suburbs
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- Why Caleb Williams should prepare for the Cam Newton treatment ahead of NFL draft
- Zappos’ 25th Birthday Sale Is Full of Irresistible Shoe Deals From Steve Madden, Coach & More
- 49ers offseason outlook: What will free agency, NFL draft hold for Super Bowl contender?
Recommendation
Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
The Relatable Lesson Tay and Taylor Lautner Learned In Their First Year of Marriage
Ali Krieger Shares She’s Open to Dating Again After Ashlyn Harris Split
Dozens of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes in Rafah
Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
Boy, 15, charged with murder in the fatal shooting of 3 people at an Arkansas home
Suits L.A. Spinoff Casts Stephen Amell as New Star Lawyer, If It Pleases the Court
Usher and Jennifer Goicoechea are married: Couple said 'I do' in Las Vegas on Super Bowl Sunday