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NASA Launches Year-Long Simulated Mars Mission in 2025

9/11/2025

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Summary

Story summary

NASA will begin a year-long simulated Mars mission on October 19, 2025, at Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The crew features Air Force Major Ross Elder, Space Force Colonel Ellen Ellis, and alternate Laura Marie, a UK-born commercial pilot.
The 1,700-square-foot Mars Dune Alpha habitat will replicate challenges like resource limitations and communication delays.
Crew activities will include simulated spacewalks, habitat maintenance, and crop growth.
This mission is the second year-long CHAPEA mission, following the first, which ended in July 2024.

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Story summary

NASA will begin a year-long simulated Mars mission on October 19, 2025, at Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The crew features Air Force Major Ross Elder, Space Force Colonel Ellen Ellis, and alternate Laura Marie, a UK-born commercial pilot.
The 1,700-square-foot Mars Dune Alpha habitat will replicate challenges like resource limitations and communication delays.
Crew activities will include simulated spacewalks, habitat maintenance, and crop growth.
This mission is the second year-long CHAPEA mission, following the first, which ended in July 2024.