NASA has officially announced the crew for its second year-long Mars surface simulation, part of the CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) program. Beginning October 19, 2025, four research volunteers will enter the 1,700-square foot Mars Dune Alpha habitat at Johnson Space Center in Houston, where they’ll live and work like astronauts for 378 days.

The selected crew Ross Elder, Ellen Ellis, Matthew Montgomery, and James Spicer will face simulated challenges including equipment failures, communication delays, and resource limitations, all designed to mirror the realities of future Mars missions. Their tasks will include extravehicular activities, robotic operations and even growing a vegetable garden under Martian conditions.

NASA’s Human Research Program will use this mission to gather critical data on cognitive and physical performance, helping shape future crewed missions to Mars and beyond. Alternate crew members Emily Phillips and Laura Marie are also on standby for this pioneering analog.