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NASA has announced the four volunteers who will spend more than a year inside a Mars simulation habitat in Houston. Starting October 19, 2025, the group will live for 378 days in Mars Dune Alpha, a 1,700-square-foot 3D-printed structure at Johnson Space Center. The mission, known as CHAPEA, is designed to mimic the isolation, resource limits, and daily challenges astronauts will face on future missions to Mars.
The habitat will test how humans handle long-duration stays in confined conditions. Crew members will face restricted supplies, equipment failures, and communication delays of up to 20 minutes each way. NASA will track how they respond mentally and physically while living in a Mars-like setting.
The volunteers will perform tasks similar to what astronauts would do on Mars. They will conduct simulated spacewalks in a sand-filled outdoor area built to resemble Martian terrain. The team will also grow crops, operate robots, and maintain systems for water and medical support. These activities help NASA measure how well humans can manage life support and science duties far from Earth.
The crew includes four primary members. Commander Ross Elder is an Air Force test pilot with combat flying experience in jets such as the F-35. He also has training in artificial intelligence and engineering. Medical officer Ellen Ellis, a Space Force colonel, has managed satellite programs and studied disaster response.
Science officer Matthew Montgomery, an engineer, works with robotics and agricultural systems for private companies. Flight engineer James Spicer has aerospace industry experience building spacecraft and satellite networks.
Two alternates are on standby in case of crew changes. Marine pilot Emily Phillips, trained in computer science, has flown F/A-18 Hornets. UK-based pilot Laura Marie has logged more than 2,800 flight hours and works as a mentor for new aviators.
Mars Dune Alpha’s design reflects the harsh environment astronauts would encounter on Mars, where temperatures plunge to -80°F, radiation levels are high, and the atmosphere lacks oxygen. By recreating these challenges on Earth, NASA can better prepare for human missions that could begin in the 2030s. The agency has previously tested similar concepts in Hawaii at the HI-SEAS habitat.
The first CHAPEA mission ended in July 2024, providing data on sleep, diet, and teamwork under stress. The second mission will expand that research by monitoring muscle and bone changes in simulated low-gravity conditions. The findings will inform the design of spacesuits, habitats, and medical protocols for future crews.
NASA says testing on Earth reduces the risk of surprises once humans land on Mars. With rovers already confirming the presence of water ice and searching for past signs of life, preparing astronauts for the physical and psychological demands of a Mars stay is a key step toward making such missions possible.
