Space Exploration in the Backyard, on a Budget—How NASA Simulates Conditions in Space Without Blasting Off

Published on October 21, 2025
A simulated Mars exterior portion of NASA's CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) is seen at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, on August 22, 2025. CHAPEA is a 3D printed habitat designed to serve as an analog for one-year missions.

Analog missions, like those conducted at NASA’s CHAPEA facility at the Johnson Space Center, help scientists study human spaceflight without leaving Earth.