NASA has initiated an ambitious project known as CHAPEA, short for Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog, which involves an isolated habitat located at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. This habitat, named Mars Dune Alpha, is a 1,700-square-foot module constructed using 3D printing technology in collaboration with Icon.
Since June 25, 2023, a crew of four volunteers Anca Selariu, Nathan Jones, Ross Brockwell, and Kelly Haston has resided in Mars Dune Alpha, simulating a year-long journey to Mars. Recently, on April 20, they celebrated their 300th day inside the habitat, marking a significant milestone in their mission.
Throughout their stay, the crew has engaged in various tasks and missions, including simulated marsh walks and the cultivation of food in conditions akin to those on Mars.
These activities serve to inform and prepare for real missions to the Red Planet. Although the specifics of the agricultural experiments conducted remain undisclosed, NASA mentions the cultivation of salad to supplement their shelf-stable food.
Additionally, the crew has been tasked with performing maintenance activities and practicing responses to unexpected equipment failures, simulating the challenges of operating in space. Despite the inherent risks, the crew’s safety is paramount, with measures such as the use of safety equipment ensuring their well-being.
NASA plans to continue utilizing the CHAPEA habitat, with subsequent missions expected to build upon the insights gained from the current crew’s experiences. In parallel, the agency conducts shorter-stay experiments at the Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA), furthering research into the physiological and psychological aspects of long-duration space missions.