Surprisingly STEM: Mars Exploration Simulation Manager

Practice makes perfect! And when sending humans all the way to Mars, you definitely want things to be perfect. That’s why NASA runs the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA), so experts — like Project Manager Daniel Hernandez — can simulate aspects of what living on Mars will be like without having to leave Earth. Through simulated missions in the isolated, 1,700 square foot, 3D printed habitat at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the agency can gather data on a variety of human exploration factors, such as physical and behavioral health and performance.