Four NASA astronauts emerge after year-long Mars simulation

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 11:02 · Archive

Four NASA astronauts are leaving a simulated Mars habitat after spending 378 days in isolation at Johnson Space Centre in Houston.

Four NASA astronauts are preparing to leave a simulated Mars habitat at Johnson Space Centre in Houston after 378 days in isolation. The crew members—Ross Elder, Ellen Ellis, Matthew Montgomery and James Spicer—have been confined to a 158-square-metre, 3D-printed facility since October 2025.

During their confinement, the crew has grown crops, managed limited resources, dealt with communication delays and conducted suited spacewalks on an imitation Martian surface. They have been able to communicate with their families only via email, with artificial delays mimicking those on an actual Mars mission.

NASA scientists have been collecting health and performance data throughout the mission to inform planning for future long-term Mars missions. After leaving their artificial home on Saturday, the crew will undertake two weeks of post-mission evaluations. The data gathered will help scientists understand what crews need to adapt to long-duration missions and how limited food and exercise systems might affect their ability to conduct operations including surface spacewalks. It may also inform development of support systems for crews facing communication delays of up to 45 minutes each way.

How it is being reported

• Simulated Mars crew to emerge after year confinedAstronauts will have spent 378 days living as though they were on Mars when they leave their artificial home designed to help plan a mission to the Red Planet.The West Australian · 27 Oct, 10:35
• Simulated Mars crew to emerge after year confinedAstronauts will have spent 378 days living as though they were on Mars when they leave their artificial home designed to help plan a mission to the Red Planet.Perth Now · 27 Oct, 10:35

In this story: NASA · Johnson Space Centre · Houston · Texas · Ross Elder · Ellen Ellis · Matthew Montgomery · James Spicer

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