Ross Elder exits yearlong Mars simulation at Johnson Space Center
The mission commander says the isolation and mundane chores of the 378-day test offered realistic insights for future deep space travel.
By Luana Sato ·
Ross Elder stepped out of a sealed Mars simulator at the Johnson Space Center in Houston after 378 days.
Elder served as the commander for the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog, a four-person team that lived inside the facility for just over a year. The group consisted of volunteers rather than professional astronauts. Their time inside was designed to test how humans function in conditions similar to deep space. The crew was restricted from leaving the simulator, touching family members, or consuming specific foods.
Elder noted that returning to normal life presented unique adjustments. He remarked on the novelty of driving a vehicle again, an experience absent for a year. "To be honest, it's just been interesting to get back in a vehicle and drive again. That's an experience we haven't had for a year," Elder said.
While the lack of contact with loved ones was difficult, Elder identified the persistence of daily maintenance as a distinct challenge. Routine tasks did not disappear during the long duration. "Things like maintenance, trash, cleaning showers and toilets. All those things are still there. Those don't go away," Elder explained.
NASA aims to return to the moon in two years. Elder believes the findings from his team will assist the astronauts who travel there. However, he acknowledged that not every technical issue has been resolved. "There are difficulties with technology, the distances, the time delays, and other challenges that we sat out on CHAPEA to work through, but they're not all solved," Elder said.
The crew exited the simulator nearly two weeks ago. NASA places the team under a specific health protocol because they experienced no sunlight and minimal germ exposure for more than a year. The agency will continue to debrief and study the crew for another couple of weeks. NASA is already searching for volunteers for the next group.
Elder stated that the simulation serves as a preview of astronaut life without the trip to space. He also said the experience has not dampened his own ambition. "Absolutely. Sign me up. I would love to have that opportunity. You'll see my name listed in the astronaut candidate list," Elder said.
