In a major stride towards preparing for future crewed missions to Mars, NASA is embarking on a groundbreaking endeavor by sending four volunteers into a state-of-the-art simulated Mars habitat.

This 3D-printed structure, spanning an impressive 1,700 square feet, is located at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and will serve as their home for an extraordinary duration of 378 days, DevDiscourse reported.

Commencing on June 25, 2023, this mission marks the first of three planned simulation missions within NASA’s CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) habitat, carefully designed to replicate the demanding conditions that astronauts would encounter on the Red Planet.

Throughout the mission, the crew members will engage in a wide array of activities that mimic the challenges of a real Mars mission.

These tasks include simulated spacewalks, operating robotic systems, maintaining the habitat’s infrastructure, adhering to personal hygiene routines, following exercise regimens, and even cultivating crops.

To ensure the utmost realism, the quartet will also face various environmental stressors, such as limited resources, isolation from the outside world, and simulated equipment failures.

By subjecting the crew to these simulated scenarios, NASA aims to assess their ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances while maintaining optimal levels of health and performance.

Written by staff