US Air Force Test Pilot Leads NASA's 378-Day Mars Habitat Simulation

Ross Elder, identified as a US Air Force experimental test pilot, led NASA’s second year-long Mars habitat experiment. Four volunteers emerged from the habitat on 31 October, completing a simulated Mars mission that lasted 378 days.

Key details

• Elder led NASA’s second year-long Mars habitat experiment.
• The simulation let researchers examine challenges of Mars exploration on Earth.
• Four volunteers emerged from the habitat on 31 October.

Four volunteers emerged from NASA’s Mars habitat on 31 October after a 378-day simulation.

Why it matters

The habitat experiment gave researchers a way to examine challenges associated with Mars exploration while the crew remained on Earth. Elder brought an experimental test-pilot background to the mission’s leadership.