NASA shows off Mars-like habitat ahead of second year-long mission to explore Red Planet

NASA is preparing for its second year-long Mars-simulated mission in a 3D-printed habitat in Houston, Texas.

The space agency gave media a tour of the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog, or CHAPEA, at the Johnson Space Center on Friday, August 22.

In October, a crew of four people will spend a year inside the 1,700-square-foot habitat, isolated from loved ones and participating in the exercises, job duties and daily life expected of a future crew exploring Mars – a goal NASA has set for the 2030s.

Suzanne Bell, CHAPEA’s Behavioral Health and Performance Research Co-Investigator, said NASA gathered valuable data from the first crew who completed their mission in July 2024 and plan to replicate conditions for better understanding the dynamic of humans working together on Mars.

“The crew will have to deal with whatever comes their way, they'll have to problem-solve when they're subjected to these conditions,” Bell said.

Bell noted the roughly 45-minute delay in communication between Earth and Mars, which will stress self-reliance for the crew without the benefit of immediate communication to mission control.

While the habitat doesn’t mimic the roughly 38% surface gravity on Mars compared to Earth, it will force the crew to rely on a limited food and water supply as well as maintain regular exercise regiments.

NASA Human Performance Scientist Dana Gardner said space takes a toll on the human body, requiring aerobic and cardiovascular activity for the crew.

“When they don't have that gravity, it affects a lot of musculoskeletal systems,” Gardner said. “So, bone, muscle, and we want them to be as healthy as possible.”

In September, Bell said NASA plans to announce the new CHAPEA crew, which will comprise people with “astronaut-like” backgrounds and qualities, she said. — Reuters