NASA Crew Leaves Mars Simulation After 378 Days of Growing Vegetables and Conducting "Marswalks" Experiment
In a remarkable feat of endurance and scientific inquiry, four scientists emerged on Saturday after spending 378 days in a simulated Mars habitat. This unique experiment, conducted at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, aimed to replicate the conditions of the Red Planet to better understand the challenges and solutions for future manned missions to Mars. The Mars Dune Alpha habitat, a 160-square-meter structure designed by NASA, served as the scientists’ home for over a year. This 3D-printed facility included all the necessities for long-term isolation: bedrooms, a gym, common areas, and a vertical farm for growing food. Additionally, it featured an outdoor area filled with red sand, accessible only through an airlock, where the team conducted their simulated "Marswalks." The four volunteers—Anca Selariu, Ross Brockwell, Nathan Jones, and team leader Kelly Haston—dedicated themselves to this mission, part of NASA's Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (C...
