Four people have been living out the story of Andy Weir’s book The Martian for the past 200 days. In June 2023, they launched themselves into NASA’s Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) program. This program aims to simulate the conditions that astronauts would encounter on Mars and provide valuable information for future human missions to the red planet.
NASA announced that they would run three simulations with different crews to gain a better understanding of the challenges of survival on Mars. This includes studying how to sustain astronaut life and how crews can cope with unexpected events like equipment failure.
The first crew, who began their mission on June 11, 2023, recently reached the halfway mark on January 11, 2024. Despite their isolation, everything seems to be going according to plan. They have even managed to pull off some impressive feats, reminiscent of the stranded astronaut Mark Watney from the book and movie.
One of the main concerns for the crew, just like Watney, was ensuring a sustainable food supply. They have been growing tomatoes, peppers, and leafy greens inside the Mars Dune Alpha habitat. While they didn’t have access to real Martian soil or human waste for fertilization like Watney, the successful growth of crops proves that agriculture is possible on Mars with the right tools and conditions.
In addition to agriculture, the crew has also conducted various science investigations in biological and physical sciences. The exact details of these investigations have not been provided.
Most notably, the crew has performed simulated Marswalks outside the habitat. These missions aim to practice the skills and activities required for traveling on the open surface of Mars. While specific details of these Marswalks have not been disclosed, they involved relevant time delays, tempo, and activities consistent with future Mars mission concepts.
The Mars Dune Alpha habitat, where this mock Mars mission is taking place, is a 1,700-square-foot module constructed by the 3D printing company ICON. Located at the NASA Johnson Space Center, it is described as the highest-fidelity simulated habitat ever built by humans.
Four private crew quarters have been imagined for the habitat, providing comfortable living spaces for the astronauts. In addition to the living quarters, there are dedicated workstations, medical stations, and food-growing stations. These different areas are separated by the living spaces, creating a sense of privacy and organization within the module.
To prevent spatial monotony, the habitat features varying ceiling heights. This design choice aims to ensure that the inhabitants do not feel confined or bored during their time in the habitat. The overall structure of the habitat is an arching shell, which adds to its unique and futuristic appearance.
The furniture in the habitat includes both fixed and movable items. This allows the astronauts to customize their living spaces according to their needs and preferences. The environment settings, such as lighting, temperature, and sound, are fully customizable as well, ensuring that the astronauts can create a comfortable and personalized atmosphere.
The current CHAPEA mission is set to conclude on July 6, 2024. While the start date for the second mission has not been announced yet, there are certain criteria that potential participants must meet. All applicants for CHAPEA must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents between the ages of 30 and 55.
In addition to the age and citizenship requirements, participants must also be non-smokers and free from food allergies, avoidances, or gastrointestinal disorders. They will have to rely solely on spaceflight-like food and will not be allowed to take any food supplements, except for vitamin D.
NASA has strict experience requirements for CHAPEA participants. They must hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution in a STEM field, such as engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics. Additionally, they must have at least two years of experience in their respective fields. Having a minimum of 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time on jet aircraft is also necessary.
These stringent criteria highlight the immense challenges that a real mission to Mars will entail. From the spacecraft and rocket technology to the selection of qualified individuals, every aspect of the mission requires careful consideration and preparation.
