CHAPEA 2: Audio Log 3

**Kenna Pell** (0:00)
Houston, we have a podcast. Welcome to the official podcast, the NASA Johnson Space Center, episode 431, Chapea II, Audio Log 3
I'm Kenna Pell, and I'll be your host today. On this podcast, we bring in the experts, scientists, engineers, and astronauts, all to let you know what's going on in the world of human spaceflight and more. We're back with another audio log from the Chapea crew. Chapea, or crew health and performance exploration analog, is a year-long analog mission in a habitat right here on Earth that's simulating very closely what it would be like to live on Mars. We're lucky enough to have check-ins with the crew. Commander Ross Elder, Flight Engineer James Spicer, Medical Officer Ellen Ellis, and Science Officer Matthew Montgomery. Just to recap, this is the second analog mission for Chapea.
This isn't so much a technology demonstration or a dress rehearsal for a human Mars mission. The primary purpose of this study is human research, a deep study into understanding what life would be like if you had to be there for a full year. The crew entered the 3D printed habitat for their 378 day red planet mission last year here at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston on October 19th, 2025 They'll exit on October 31st of this year in 2026
Now, as much as we'd like to have live interviews with them, they are simulating what it would be like on Mars. So video interviews, phone conversations, or really any form of communicating with Earth while on the red planet would be significantly delayed.
Any information sent at the speed of light could take anywhere on the order of 3 to 23 minutes one way, depending on relative distance between Earth and Mars as they orbit the sun. This makes a two-way conversation very, very difficult. So to meet the needs of this analog, the crew is recording audio logs based on the questions that we have drafted for them. This episode centers on a unique moment in the Chapea mission, the simulated two-week loss of signal period that mimics a Mars-Earth communications blackout. This happens when Mars moves behind the sun. We will hear from the crew via audio recordings twice. First, during the two-week loss of signal, or LOS with Earth, and then we will hear from them again after communication returns. For the Chapea crew at Mars Dune Alpha, it's like the universe hits an ultimate airplane mode for two weeks. While they are typically in a time delay of 3 to 23 minutes, during this loss of signal, they will have no email, no mission control guidance, and ultimately, zero problem-solving help from Earth. We will also be bringing on special guest Sarah Whiting. She's the Deputy Element Scientist for Analogs with NASA's Human Research Program to learn more about the LOS and what Chapea is learning from simulating this loss of communication. This first audio log you're about to hear was recorded right at the mission's midpoint, day 200, and in the thick of the two-week simulated loss of signal that mimics a Mars-Earth communications blackout. So with that context in mind, let's step into Mars-Dune Alpha and hear how the crew is navigating autonomy, teamwork, and the operational demands of a simulated Mars mission during this two-week loss of signal period. Let's check in with the Martians.

**SPEAKER_2** (2:54)
Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Howdy Houston, we have a podcast.

**Ross Elder** (3:17)
This is the Chapea II crew coming to you on site at Mars, Dune Alpha. I'm Ross Elder, the commander, and with me is the full crew, including James Spicer, Ellen Ellis, Matthew Montgomery.
It's been about three months since you last likely heard from us in February, and a lot's transpired since then. We've currently found ourselves in the middle of a solar conjunction, resulting in a loss of signal with communications to and from Earth, including mission control and our friends and families at home. But we'll explain this a bit more later.

**Ellen Ellis** (3:47)
Yeah, we're at the midpoint of our mission. Today marks day 200
We've had our fair share of tired muscles and blisters, but no medical emergencies to date, thankfully. So call that a win. I think it's also a good sign that we're still making each other laugh. I think that's a pretty healthy activity. For Team Dynamics, I think we're in a sweet spot. We're mission-focused, working through tasks proficiently, but we still enjoy each other's company during the downtime. I think that's really important for future Mars missions. It makes us a more cohesive, stronger crew. Earlier this week, we had a Space Force High holiday, May the 4th. All the HAB inhabitants were made honorary guardians. Today is also my husband's birthday. He'll be celebrating with family. So happy birthday, Steve.