Surviving the Red Planet on Earth

Overview

This video details the rigorous Earth-based training astronauts undergo to prepare for a future Mars mission to Jezero Crater. Through simulations like NASA's CHAPEA habitat, underwater gravity exercises, and geological field work, candidates are prepared to face the physical, mental, and medical challenges of deep space exploration before traveling 54 million kilometers.

In this video

• Before humans touch Jezero Crater, they will spend four years simulating every disaster.
• Inside NASA's CHAPEA habitat, four crew members endure a 378-day Mars surface simulation with 22-minute communication delays.
• At the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, astronauts are submerged in 6.2 million gallons of water, with weighted prototype suits to mimic Mars's 38-percent gravity limit.
• During ESA's Pangaea campaign in the Lanzarote volcanic fields, trainees hunt for microbial biosignatures deep inside basaltic lava tubes.
• The ARGOS robotic system unloads the astronaut's mass while VR headsets project a high-resolution topographical map of the Martian south pole.
• Trainees are taught to perform robotic appendectomies using haptic feedback loops, as a surgical evacuation at Mach 25 is not an option.
• Candidates are isolated in Antarctic winter-over camps, and if a candidate's cortisol spikes during a generator failure, they do not fly.
• Analog habitats are used to test the mind, 38-percent gravity pools train the body, and volcanic tubes hone science skills.
• The 2030s mission requires flawless expeditionary behavior from all candidates.

Frequently asked questions

How long do astronauts simulate a Mars mission on Earth?

Four crew members endure a 378-day Mars surface simulation inside NASA's CHAPEA habitat. This extensive training is part of a four-year protocol designed to prepare them for every potential disaster during the mission.

How do astronauts prepare for Mars's lower gravity?

Astronauts train at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, where they are submerged in 6.2 million gallons of water. Their prototype suits are weighted to mimic Mars's 38-percent gravity limit, allowing them to experience and adapt to the reduced gravitational pull.

What kind of geological training do future Mars astronauts receive?

During ESA's Pangaea campaign in the Lanzarote volcanic fields, trainees hunt for microbial biosignatures deep inside basaltic lava tubes. They also utilize the ARGOS robotic system with VR headsets to project high-resolution topographical maps of the Martian south pole.

How do astronauts train for medical emergencies on Mars?

Astronauts are trained to achieve medical autonomy by performing robotic appendectomies using haptic feedback loops. This is critical because a surgical evacuation at Mach 25 from Mars is not a feasible option.

What psychological tests are part of Mars mission training?

Candidates are isolated in Antarctic winter-over camps, where their reactions to stressful situations, such as a generator failure, are monitored. If a candidate's cortisol spikes, indicating heightened stress, they do not qualify for the mission, ensuring psychological resilience.