Here are the four scientists who spent over a year in a NASA-built simulation of life on Mars

In June 2023, four scientists embarked on the first Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) mission, entering a 3D-printed environment.

The crew engaged in Mars-realistic activities such as simulated spacewalks, scientific experiments, communication exercises, crop cultivation, meal preparation and consumption, exercise routines, hygiene practices, maintenance tasks, personal time, and sleep. These activities aimed to gather data on various factors, including physical and behavioural health and performance.

Throughout their stay, the crew simulated the challenges of living on Mars, which involved growing and harvesting vegetables, performing ‘Marswalks,’ and experiencing communication delays with colleagues on Earth.

CHAPEA Mission Commander Kelly Haston expressed, “I am so proud and honoured to be part of this crew and project. And to be a part of a small incremental part of the work being done here on Earth that will one day enable humans to explore and live on Mars.”

Two more CHAPEA missions have been planned for 2025 and 2026. Below is a brief profile of each scientist.

Kelly Haston

The CHAPEA Mission Commander is a registered member of the Mohawk Nation of the Six Nations of the Grand River in Canada. She is a scientist with experience building models of human disease.

Kelly Haston’s early interest in space and adventure shaped her academic ambitions. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, followed by a Master’s and Ph.D. in a similar discipline, demonstrating her commitment to studying the biological components of space travel and human survival in harsh environments.

The 53-year-old has various experiences to her credit, including being a Lead Scientist at Scaled Biolabs, Principal Scientist at inistro, and Postdoctoral Fellow at a number of universities.

According to NASA, Haston has led innovative stem cell-based programmes that have produced several cell types for use in infertility, liver disease, and neurodegenerative research.

Kelly Haston’s efforts to NASA’s Mars analogue missions have gained her acclaim in the space exploration community. Her leadership and research are critical to increasing our understanding of human spaceflight and assuring the safety and success of future Mars missions.

Ross Brockwell

He is a structural engineer who performed the role of a flight engineer on the mission. His work focuses on infrastructure, building design, operations, and organizational leadership.

Prior to his trip, Brockwell told Caltech that he’s always had an interest in the space program and the Mars mission in particular adding that “I got into structural engineering thinking I might be able to design space stations, habitats, orbiters, rockets, and things like that.”

Ross Brockwell’s journey to becoming a preeminent engineer at NASA began with a robust academic foundation. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, and a Master of Science in aeronautics from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. Brockwell also holds professional certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council, the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, and is a certified planning commissioner.

His academic achievements were underscored by a deep fascination with how structures withstand extreme conditions, a curiosity that naturally extended to the challenges of space exploration.

Ross Brockwell has garnered multiple awards over his career for his contributions to structural engineering and space exploration. His peers regard him as a thought leader in his profession, and his work has appeared in numerous top engineering journals. These awards recognise his achievements to NASA and the technical community as a whole.

Aside from his technological accomplishments, Brockwell is interested about mentoring and STEM outreach. He actively engages in programmes designed to motivate the next generation of engineers and scientists. His initiatives include mentoring young engineers at NASA, lecturing at educational institutions, and taking part in public outreach events to promote the value of STEM education.

Anca Selariu

She led the scientific research and oversaw experiments during simulated Mars missions. Aca Selariu’s work focused on analysing the effects of long-duration space travel on human health and performance, contributing to the development of strategies to ensure astronaut safety and well-being.

Anca is an integrative biomedical sciences doctor (microbiologist) with the U. S. Navy and aspiring cultural universalist. Her experience spans viral vaccine discovery and manufacturing, prion transmission, gene therapy development, and infectious disease research project management.

Selariu holds a Bachelor of Science in philology from the University of Transylvania in Romania, a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from Montclair University in New Jersey, and a Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences from Rutgers University in New Jersey. She also had a postdoctoral study at the Prion Research Centre at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

She aspires to educate the globe on mental flexibility and combine knowledge into a global language to help people develop their inherent curiosity and aptitude to think big. She aspires to build human upgrades by utilising all transdisciplinary knowledge and technologies accessible. And she intends to contribute to the creation of an ergonomic habitat for future humanity, both on and above Terra.

Nathan Jones

During his time on Mars, the emergency physician functioned as the medical officer. Jones was in charge of performing medical assessments, managing health protocols, and resolving any medical difficulties that arose. His skill was to ensure that the crew remained fit and capable of executing their responsibilities, which contributed to the overall success and safety of the mission.

Jones, of Springfield, Illinois, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician who specialises in prehospital and austere care. He is currently employed as an emergency medicine physician, emergency medical director, and tactical medical physician at Springfield Memorial Hospital. Jones is also an associate professor of emergency medicine at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Medical Doctorate from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. He completed a residency in emergency medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria.