(7 Jul 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY: MUST CREDIT NASA

++GRAPHICS AT SOURCE++

NASA MUST CREDIT NASA
Johnson Space Center, Texas 6 July 2024
1. NASA Deputy Director Flight Missions Kjell Lindgren knocks on door of Mars simulation habitat, opens door and four volunteers exit to applause
++SOUNDBITE PARTIALLY COVERED++
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Kjell Lindgren, NASA astronaut, Deputy Director Flight Missions:
"The path to Mars is beset with challenges. The crew and their families have committed a year of their lives in service to NASA, to the country, and to humanity's exploration of space. And so thank you. Congratulations. And thank you to the crew for, putting your previous careers on pause for a year and, committing yourself to research that is going to enable our future exploration of space."
++WHITE FLASH++
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Medical Officer Nathan Jones, CHAPEA1 volunteer:
"Wow, that went by quickly. 'I really hope I don't cry standing up here in front of all of you."
++WHITE FLASH++
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Commander Kelly Haston, CHAPEA1 volunteer:
"CHAPEA1 has been a unique experience with great challenges, joys and sorrows, and a lot of hard work with a fair bit of fun thrown in as well."
++WHITE FLASH++
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Science officer Anca Selariu, CHAPEA1 volunteer:
"I've been asked many times why the obsession with Mars? Why go to Mars? Because it's possible. Because space can unite and bring out the best in us."
++WHITE FLASH++
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Flight Engineer Ross Brockwell, CHAPEA1 volunteer:
"This has been a wonderful experience, and I really hope this helps us get that much closer to the reality of putting boots on Mars. Thank you."

++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++
STORYLINE:
Four NASA volunteers who spent over a year sealed inside a simulated Mars habitat at the Johnson Space Center in Texas finally ended their mission on Saturday.

The crew of the first CHAPEA ("Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog") mission entered the simulation on 25 June, 2023.

Commander Kelly Haston said it had been a "unique" experience, "with great challenges, joys and sorrows, and a lot of hard work with a fair bit of fun thrown in as well."

The crew spent the 378 days inside the 3D printed 1,700 square foot habitat carrying out experiments, most of them focused on nutrition and how it impacted their performance.

NASA said that by growing and harvesting vegetables, conducting simulated Mars walks and other exercises, the volunteers helped gather data that will help the space agency as it prepares to return to the moon and on to Mars.

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