NASA prepares for its next year-long simulated Mars habitat mission

For one year, starting this fall, four humans will live inside and simulate life on Mars in a 3-D printed habitat right here on Earth.

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By: Maya Rodriguez
Posted 3:05 PM, Aug 22, 2025 and last updated 3:06 PM, Aug 22, 2025

Packed into 1,700 square feet, NASA's simulated Mars habitat is designed to be a home very far away from home. Known as the "Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog," or CHAPEA mission, the crew members will work on all kinds of experiments during their year inside the Mars habitat.

"This is designed to be a Martian habitat like we might expect for a Mars surface mission," said Suzanne Bell, the mission's co-principal investigator. "So, it's designed as both a living and working space."

The structure is 3-D printed, using a form of poured concrete. It's about the size of a four bedroom, two bathroom home. For one year, starting this fall, four humans will live inside and simulate life on Mars right here on Earth.

"We hope they feel a sense of accomplishment and know that their contributions are absolutely and critical, invaluable to the path of landing humans on Mars," Bell said. "We have to know what to send. We have to know how to support that crew and we won't be able to do it without collecting data like in CHAPEA."

More:
https://www.scrippsnews.com/science-and-tech/space/nasa-prepares-for-its-next-simulated-mars-habitat-mission