NASA has officially launched the CHAPEA 1 mission, the first phase of their Mars exploration project. This mission involves four courageous volunteers who will spend 378 days inside a specially designed “Mars simulator” to simulate the conditions of living on Mars. The volunteers will undergo a series of rigorous challenges, carry out assigned tasks, and even cultivate crops on simulated Martian soil.
Volunteer Selection
The four individuals chosen for this remarkable mission are:
- Kelly Haston – Research Scientist
- Ross Brockwell – Structural Engineer
- Nathan Jones – Emergency Medicine Physician
- Anca Selariu – US Navy Microbiologist
These volunteers will demonstrate their dedication to exploration and contribute to the success of CHAPEA 1.
Challenges and Tasks
Similar to actual astronauts on Mars, the volunteers will face various challenges during their mission. They will be responsible for completing tasks assigned by NASA, which will test their skills and abilities. In addition to their assigned duties, the volunteers will also manage daily chores such as cooking, washing, making beds, and exercising to maintain a healthy routine.
Farming on Simulated Martian Soil
One of the crucial aspects of the mission is to practice farming on simulated Martian soil. The volunteers will learn and implement farming techniques to cultivate their own crops. This will provide valuable insights into sustaining food production on Mars for future manned missions.
Meticulously Designed Spaces
The Mars simulator provides a meticulously designed living space for the volunteers. Within the confined area measuring 1,700 square feet, the simulator includes:
- Private rooms
- Kitchen
- Medical care room
- Recreation area
- Exercise space
- Workspace
- Farming section
- Bathrooms
All these spaces have been recreated to resemble the environment astronauts would experience on Mars.
Through the CHAPEA 1 mission, NASA aims to gain valuable insights into long-duration space travel and the challenges astronauts may face during their future missions to Mars. The dedication and contributions of these volunteers will play a significant role in advancing our knowledge of human exploration beyond Earth.
