Four humans to begin living on Mars. But, there is a twist

UPDATED: Apr 30, 2024 12:26 IST

A crew of four volunteers will leave everything behind for 45 days to live on Mars. However, their Martian home is on Earth.

The four volunteers are part of Nasa's Human Exploration Research Analog (Hera) mission. The simulated mission to Mars will be conducted within a habitat at Nasa's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The four volunteers include Jason Lee, Stephanie Navarro, Shareef Al Romaithi, and Piyumi Wijesekara. While their mission will begin on May 10 as they enter the habitat, it will end on June 24 as they 'return' to Earth.

"Hera enables scientists to study how crew members adapt to isolation, confinement, and remote conditions before NASA sends astronauts on deep space missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond," Nasa said in a statement.

During the 45-day-long mission, the crew will carry out scientific research and operational tasks throughout their simulated mission to the Red Planet, including a “walk” on Mars’s surface using virtual reality. They will also experience increased communication delays lasting up to five minutes each way with the Mission Control Center as they “near” Mars.

This is the second crew to enter the simulated Martian world on Earth. The most recent crew completed its HERA mission on March 18. Two other missions will follow this year, with the final HERA crew slated to wrap up on Dec. 20.

WHO ARE THE FOUR VOLUNTEERS?

Jason Lee, an associate professor at the University of Connecticut, is an expert in thermal fluids with degrees from prestigious institutions like UC Berkeley and MIT. His research delves into manufacturing and heat transfer.

Stephanie Navarro, a space operations officer and seasoned engineer has been through military deployments and civilian roles at Northrop Grumman. She excels in satellite communication programs.

Shareef Al Romaithi, a pioneering pilot from Abu Dhabi, showcases unparalleled expertise with over 16 years in aviation. His journey, from Embry-Riddle to commanding Boeing aircraft, culminated in a groundbreaking doctorate, setting records as the youngest to achieve such a feat.

Piyumi Wijesekara, a postdoctoral scientist at Nasa, navigates the complexities of space's impact on human health. Her academic journey forged expertise in bioengineering, focusing on respiratory physiology.