August 16, 2024
NASA’s first Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) mission, which simulated the conditions of Mars to find out the issues humans would face if sent to explore the planet, ended on July 6. The mission began on June 25, 2023, and included four volunteers living in a Mars-like habitat called Mars Dune Alpha. Mars Dune Alpha is a 1,700sq ft 3D-printed structure that is situated at Johnson Space Center in the USA. The simulation facility includes a kitchen, exercise areas, a bathroom and other features. During this mission, the volunteers grew food, engaged in ‘Marswalks’ and dealt with different situations that could arise during actual space exploration missions. This mission’s observations will help scientists prepare for future Mars exploration missions.
Watch this video to learn about Mars Dune Alpha
Image Source: youtube.com
REFLECTION: Living on Mars
If you were asked to join the crew to live on Mars for a month, what would you hope to see and do there?
E-mail your answer along with your photograph to [email protected] to be featured in an upcoming edition of RobinAge.
