One of the most radical space endeavors of our time is being tested in a simulation lab to experience the challenges of manned missions to Mars. Four volunteers, who will remain enclosed in a Mars habitat established on Earth for 378 days, will undergo a durability test identical to an actual mission. The process initiating the mission involves isolating from all external worlds until October 31, 2026, and during this period, the team will undergo comprehensive training to simulate surviving on the Martian surface.
NAVAKası aims to produce deeper and broader results than the first version of this simulation conducted under NASA’s Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) program. The goal is to better understand the effects of long-term space living on human health and performance and to use these findings for real missions.
Volunteers will operate inside the 158-square-meter habitat called Mars Dune Alpha, which is constructed using 3D printing technology. Team members will assume different roles such as flight engineer, health officer, science officer, and commander, experiencing firsthand the harshest conditions of Mars through outdoor and indoor activities. The psychological effects of isolation will be evaluated through life with limited resources, staying away from loved ones, and prolonged social restrictions.
The studies are not limited to physical resilience; operational impacts of communication delays and resource limitations will also be significant parts of the scope. The delay between Mars and Earth varies between 5 and 20 minutes; this situation enables team members to act more independently but also poses challenges in dealing with equipment and device failures.
During this process, tasks such as conducting scientific research, growing vegetables, and managing robotic operations will also be carried out. During the experiment, new technologies like specially designed diagnostic medical devices and drinking water dispensers will be tested. CHAPEA’s lead researcher Grace Douglas emphasizes that the data collected will play a key role in planning and executing future Mars missions. “Understanding how long-duration Mars missions affect crew health and performance is crucial,” Douglas states, adding that the study will provide tangible insights.
The topics of autonomy and independence are also focal points of this simulation, in light of results from previous trials. In the SIRIUS and Mars-500 projects, it was observed that as communication delays increased, crews became more autonomous; this is considered a positive aspect for astronauts working more independently on space missions. However, it is also acknowledged that this situation could cause difficulties in interactions with the control center. Russian scientist Dmitry Shved notes that communication delays may hinder accurate understanding of needs and could impact support capacity.
The first simulation of the CHAPEA program ended in July 2024, and that team sustained eight months of isolation. Mission commander Kelly Haston shares her experience, saying, “The challenges we faced strengthened us; we overcame this process by trusting each other and our training.” Health officer Nathan Jones comments on communication constraints, stating, “The delay in signals from Mars has made us more cautious. When communication will be established has become a critical question.”
