The crew of a NASA mission has just emerged from a Martian habitat in which they were confined for over a year. But you know what? These “astronauts” never left Earth! It was a fake trip, a scientific experiment. Let me explain.
Fake trip, real mission
NASA would like to send astronauts to Mars as early as the 2030s. The planet is located about 225 million kilometers from Earth. Quite an expedition! For this to go well, several tests must first be carried out.
One of these tests is the CHAPEA-1 mission. An experiment that recreates the living conditions in a Martian base. Why? To see how we humans can cope on this planet.
Four explorers (a scientist, a doctor, a flight engineer and a commander) were therefore confined (on Earth!) in a small habitat from which they could only leave at the very end of the mission… 378 days later.
The daily life of a fake astronaut
These explorers had a long list of things to do.
First: to conduct excursions to “Mars”. An external environment covered in sand (like on the red planet) was set up around the station. Dressed in a space suit, the explorers had to collect soil samples and maintain their equipment.
Next up: growing vegetables. The station was equipped with a vertical farm. The vegetables supplemented meals made from dehydrated foods, prepared before the trip. But beware: food and water were available in very limited quantities.
Then: communicate with NASA’s control center. Since Mars is far away, messages were often relayed with a 20-minute delay. In an emergency, the team had to manage on their own, without waiting for a response from Earth.
Above all: we had to come to an understanding!
How did that happen?
On Saturday, the four almost-Martians came out of their habitat for the very first time in more than a year. They were all very emotional.
Mission Commander Kelly Haston told reporters: “CHAPEA-1 has been a unique experience, with great challenges, great joys and great sorrows. And a lot of hard work, but also fun!”
But why go to Mars? The expedition’s chief scientist, Anca Selariu, had this answer: “Because it is possible, because space can unite us and bring out the best in us.”
Camille LopezThe Aces of Info
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