On September 5, NASA dropped some stellar news that got the world buzzing. The space agency announced the stellar lineup for its second CHAPEA mission, a year-long, grueling Mars simulation that’s as close to the real deal as it gets without leaving Earth.
We are talking about isolation, delayed comms, and fake Mars walks in a 3D-printed habitat for 365 days. Let’s take a look at the CHAPEA crew set to push humanity’s Mars dream one step closer.
First Of: What is CHAPEA all about?
Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) is a series of analog missions designed to simulate a year-long stay on the surface of Mars. The program’s primary goal is to study the impact long-duration space missions can have on humans.
The simulations gather critical data on the crew’s health, behavior, and performance, helping NASA prepare for future human exploration of the Red Planet, Mars.
Each CHAPEA mission consists of a four-person volunteer crew, selected from diverse backgrounds in STEM fields, similar to what a real Mars crew will have. They are not astronauts but highly qualified professionals whose expertise is crucial to the success of the mission.
The training takes place in a 1,700-square-foot, 3D-printed habitat called Mars Dune Alpha, located at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The habitat consists of a kitchen space, medical, recreation, fitness, work, and crop growth areas.
Technologies specifically designed for Mars missions and deep space exploration are also tested, some of which include a potable water dispenser and diagnostic medical equipment.
Crew members also carry out scientific research and operational tasks, including simulated Mars walks, robotics operations, growing a vegetable garden, and more.
Simulations for CHAPEA include environmental stressors like communication lag, equipment failure, isolation, resource limitations, and significant workload. The environment as well mimics the dusty, resource-scarce vibes of Mars, all to make the experience as realistic as possible.
The first CHAPEA mission wrapped up in July 2024 after 378 days, with volunteers looking healthier than expected. Now, CHAPEA 2 will be kicking off on October 19, 2025, and continuing until Halloween 2026.
Meet the Crew
NASA handpicked four primary crew members, plus two alternates who aren’t just qualified; they are trailblazers from the military, aviation, and engineering worlds. Let’s meet the team.
- Ross Elder (Commander): Hailing from Williamstown, West Virginia, Ross Elder is a test pilot in the United States Air Force. With over 1,800 flight hours, including 200 in combat jets like the F-35 and F-16, Elder has garnered experience well suited to handle potential Mars mishaps.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in astronomical engineering and two master’s degrees in mechanical engineering and flight test engineering.
- Ellen Ellis (Medical Officer): Serving as a colonel and an acquisitions officer in the United States Space Force, Ellen Ellis hails from North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
Currently a senior leader in satellite comms at the National Reconnaissance Office, Ellis juggles a bachelor’s in aerospace engineering from Syracuse with four master’s degrees, including systems engineering and disaster management.
- Mattew Montgomery (Science Officer): Matthew is a hardware engineering design consultant from Los Angeles. He works with startup companies to develop, commercialize, and scale their products.
His consulting services major in LED lighting, robotics, and controlled-environment agriculture, the perfect skill set needed for growing crops on Martian soil. He has dual degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Central Florida.
Matthew is also a co-owner and founder of Floating Lava Studios, a film production company based in Los Angeles.
- James Spicer (Flight Engineer): From satellite networks to spacecraft design, Spicer’s skill set is gold for troubleshooting in tight spaces. Spicer is a technical director in the aerospace and defense industry.
He has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford University in California.
Let’s meet the alternates.
- Emily Philips: Hailing from Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, Philips is an F/A-18 pilot in the United States Marine Corps. She has a bachelor’s in computer science from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis and is a commissioned Marine Corps officer.
- Laura Marie: Marie is a British-born commercial pilot with over 2,800 flight hours. She holds a bachelor’s in philosophy and a master’s in aeronautics from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Final Thoughts
Huamnity takes another step toward long-term Mars and deep space exploration as the stage stands ready. What seemed to belong to the world of science fiction is slowly coming to life before our eyes.
While there’s a lot of excitement surrounding CHAPA, many critics still question if these preparations will be sufficient for a stay on Mars. But like they say, “Little preparation is better than no preparation.”
