VOA科学技术2024--NASA Researchers End One-year Mars Habitat Mission

Four scientists have left a model Mars environment where they lived in isolation¹ for more than a year.

The crew took part in the experiment for the American space agency NASA. Team members included commander Kelly Haston, medical officer Nathan Jones, flight engineer Ross Brockwell and science officer Anca Selariu. They ended their stay after 378 days on July 6.

The simulated Mars environment is called a habitat. NASA said the project "was designed to help scientists, engineers, and mission planners better understand how living on another world could affect human health and performance."

Officials said the habitat also aimed to recreate certain environmental pressures that future astronauts could face while living in places like the moon and Mars.

The experiment took place inside a specially² designed area at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The 160-square-meter environment where the crew members lived was built using 3D printing technology.

The experiment involved the crew completing several research activities. These included taking part in robotic operations, looking after the habitat, doing physical exercise and growing crops. The members also took place in simulated "marswalks."

The crew members are not NASA astronauts. They left their normal jobs to take part in the experiment. After leaving the habitat, the group was to complete a series of "post-mission data collection activities" over two weeks before returning home.

While inside the environment, NASA said the crew was subject to "Mars-realistic time delays" during communications with the outside world. This meant there could be delays of up to 44 minutes roundtrip for communication data.

In addition, the members had to deal with a limited food system, similar to what astronauts use on the International Space Station (ISS) or during future space deployments.

Commander Haston, a biologist, was the first to speak during a ceremony to mark the mission's end. "Hello. It's actually so wonderful just to be able to say hello to you," she said with a laugh.

Jones - who works as an emergency room doctor - was overcome with emotion after leaving the habitat. "I really hope I don't cry standing³ up here in front of all of you," he said.

Brockwell, a structural⁴ engineer, said the experience showed him the importance of living sustainably to help mankind on Earth. "I'm grateful for the chance to live the idea that we must utilize⁵ resources no faster than they can be replenished⁷, and produce waste no faster than they can be processed back into resources," he said.

Selariu, a microbiologist, explained that she had been asked by people many times why humans like her would even want to go to Mars. "Because it's possible," she said. "Because space can unite and bring out the best in us." She added, "Because it's one defining step that Earthlings will take to light the way into the next centuries."

The NASA program is officially called the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog⁸ (CHAPEA). The agency says the latest experiment was the first of three it plans to carry out. The target for the next one will be sometime in 2025.

Steve Koerner is the deputy director of Johnson Space Center. He said most of the experiment centered on nutrition and how that affected⁹ the crew's performance. The work was "crucial science as we prepare to send people on to the red planet."

Koerner added, "They've been separated from their families, placed on a carefully prescribed meal plan and undergone a lot of observation." He noted¹⁰ that "Mars is our goal," and called the project an important step in America's ongoing¹¹ efforts to be a leader in future world space exploration activities.

Under its Artemis program, NASA plans to send humans back to the moon in order to learn how to live in space for long periods. After that, the goal is to send astronauts to Mars.

Words in This Story

isolate¹² - v. separate someone or something from other people or things

simulate - v. do or make something that behaves or looks like something real but is not

sustainable - adj. something that is able to continue for a long period of time, especially relating to the environment

utilize - v. to use something in an effective way

replenish⁶ - v. to fill something or make it complete again

crucial - adj. extremely important or necessary

prescribe - v. to say officially what people must do

1 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。

2 specially   

adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地

参考例句：

• They are specially packaged so that they stack easily.它们经过特别包装以便于堆放。
• The machine was designed specially for demolishing old buildings.这种机器是专为拆毁旧楼房而设计的。

3 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

4 structural   

adj.构造的，组织的，建筑（用）的

参考例句：

• The storm caused no structural damage.风暴没有造成建筑结构方面的破坏。
• The North American continent is made up of three great structural entities.北美大陆是由三个构造单元组成的。

5 utilize   

vt.使用，利用

参考例句：

• The cook will utilize the leftover ham bone to make soup.厨师要用吃剩的猪腿骨做汤。
• You must utilize all available resources.你必须利用一切可以得到的资源。

6 replenish   

vt.补充；(把…)装满；(再)填满

参考例句：

• I always replenish my food supply before it is depleted.我总是在我的食物吃完之前加以补充。
• We have to import an extra 4 million tons of wheat to replenish our reserves.我们不得不额外进口四百万吨小麦以补充我们的储备。

7 replenished   

补充( replenish的过去式和过去分词 )； 重新装满

参考例句：

• She replenished her wardrobe. 她添置了衣服。
• She has replenished a leather [fur] coat recently. 她最近添置了一件皮袄。

8 analog   

n.类似物，模拟

参考例句：

• The analog signal contains high-frequency video information,which helps make up the picture.模拟信号包括有助于构成图像的高频视频信息。
• The analog computer measures continuously,without proceeding step by step.模拟计算机不是一步一步地进行，而是连续地进行量度。

9 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

10 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

11 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

12 isolate   

vt.使孤立，隔离

参考例句：

• Do not isolate yourself from others.不要把自己孤立起来。
• We should never isolate ourselves from the masses.我们永远不能脱离群众。