In preparation for a future human mission to Mars, NASA will send a team of four civilians to live in a simulated Mars habitat for one year.
The 1,700-square-foot Mars Dune Alpha structure was constructed at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and is designed to replicate the harsh Martian environment, including extreme temperatures, thin atmosphere, and lack of gravity. The habitat is made of steel and concrete and features artificial gravity, which is generated by spinning the structure.
The crew will face similar challenges to those encountered by astronauts on Mars, including limited resources, isolation, and communication delays. The mission, called CHAPEA, will commence in June 2023 and gather data to aid in future Mars mission planning and design.