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Life Inside NASA’s Mars Simulation: A Conversation with Ellen Ellis
What does it really take to live on Mars? We spoke with CHAPEA Mission 2 medical officer Ellen Ellis about life in isolation, finding community, and why women belong at every level of space exploration.
After 378 days on simulated Mars, four people finally returned to Earth. Well, technically, they were in Houston the whole time.
On October 31, 2026, NASA's CHAPEA Mission 2 crew emerged from Mars Dune Alpha, a 1,700-square-foot, 3D-printed habitat at Johnson Space Center, after more than a year of simulated life on the Red Planet.
The crew — Ross Elder, Ellen Ellis, James Spicer, and Matthew Montgomery — spent the mission navigating isolation, limited resources, demanding workloads, and communication delays of up to 22 minutes each way. Their daily routines included simulated Marswalks, robotic operations, habitat maintenance, crop cultivation, and physical and behavioral health research.
The goal? Understand what humans will need to survive and thrive on Mars before we actually send them there.
But behind all the scientific research and mission simulations are four humans who voluntarily put their lives on hold for more than a year to help advance space exploration.
And one of them has a particularly interesting perspective to share.
Meet Ellen Ellis: The Woman Helping NASA Prepare for Mars
Ellen Ellis served as CHAPEA Mission 2's medical officer and was the only woman among the four crew members.
A U.S. Space Force officer with a background in systems engineering and military operations, Ellis brought technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and experience with extended periods away from home to this unique mission.
As medical officer, she supported the collection of biological data and the testing of medical technologies that could one day help keep astronauts healthy millions of miles from Earth.
Before Mission 2 began, Her Cosmic Orbit had the opportunity to tour Mars Dune Alpha and see firsthand the environment where the crew would spend the next 378 days.
Later, while Ellis was living inside the habitat, we connected with her to learn more about her experience.
We wanted to go beyond the technical side of the mission and explore something just as important: the human experience of space exploration, particularly through the perspective of a woman helping build its future.
What does it take to make an isolated habitat feel like home? How does being the only woman influence her experience? And what would she tell the next generation of women who dream of working in space?
Here's what she shared with us.
Life Inside NASA’s Mars Simulation: A Conversation with Ellen Ellis
This interview was conducted during CHAPEA Mission 2, before the crew completed its 378-day mission. c
From Planetarium Dreams to Simulated Mars
Her Cosmic Orbit: What inspired you to apply to CHAPEA?
Ellen Ellis: I’ve been interested in space exploration since I was a little kid. I grew up in Rhode Island, and my parents used to take me to the Boston Museum of Science. The planetarium was always my favorite. I would get transfixed by the countless stars projected overhead with images of the cosmos beyond our Milky Way. I think I’ve always just known it was the thing I wanted to pursue.
When I saw the call for CHAPEA applicants I was intrigued by the idea of an integrated study
that would examine human behavior, exercise, and nutrition in preparation for future long
duration space missions. Dr. Grace Douglas, the CHAPEA Principal Investigator, conceived the idea and leads the team that conducts the analog research. Astronauts selected for future long duration missions will likely face challenges and this research will help inform some of NASA's countermeasures. The food we eat, the exercises we do- it'll all help ensure that when America does makes it to Mars, our astronauts will be strong enough to complete the daily tasks a surface mission will require. This is one way I can help.
The Skills It Takes to Live on Another Planet
Her Cosmic Orbit: How did your background prepare you for your 378-day mission?
Ellen Ellis: We all come from engineering backgrounds, which has been very helpful. The mission requires many diverse technical skills. One day we have to reprogram a computer, the next day we’re outside the Habitat on an extravehicular activity doing construction work building a logistics module or analyzing soil samples with a spectrometer. The communication delay with Mission Control forces a certain degree of autonomy as well- when there are time sensitive tasks that we know we will not receive guidance in time for, we make technical decisions accordingly. Any time we’ve got a problem to solve and we need to knuckle down and work through it together, it’s genuinely the most fun part of the job for me.
Being in the military, I have some experience with and understanding of deployments, and what it means to be away from home for extended periods. My husband & I have had some practice being apart. It really helps to have someone I can count on back home. I feel very fortunate that the Space Force is supporting me in the execution of this mission. It was a very difficult decision to step away from a job I love very much - but I firmly believe that the research that CHAPEA produces will further the body of knowledge for long duration human space flight. We are providing foundational data for mission planning and informing trades between resources and technologies that best support health and performance in a Mars-like environment.
Keeping a Crew Healthy, Millions of Miles from Home (In Theory)
Her Cosmic Orbit: How does your role as medical officer contribute to CHAPEA? What does a typical day look like for you?
Ellen Ellis: Over the course of the analog, a lot of biological data is collected. We do blood draws, use heart rate monitors, and wear watches that track our sleep habits. I assist with the collection and transfer of that data.
One of the interesting tasks we get to perform is field testing a few different medical technologies. I’ve really enjoyed that aspect of the mission. I never imagined I’d get to perform emergency medical procedures. Thankfully, it was just on a simulator- and not on a real crew member!
You may have seen news reporting earlier this year that an ultrasound was used to determine if an ISS crew member needed to make an early return home- that’s why it’s so important that new technological advances are tested on the ground before a future long duration mission.
Making Mars Feel Like Home
Her Cosmic Orbit: Have there been any routines, rituals, or unexpected little things that make the habitat feel more like home?
Ellen Ellis: Living and working with your coworkers for a year in isolation, it’s quite easy to find yourself working nonstop. Our schedules are fairly compressed and there’s a lot to get done. Friday evenings we share a special meal together and we play music. It’s a nice ritual to close out the week.
We were allowed limited gear for the year-long mission. I packed a few things to make my crew quarters feel comfortable like a silk pillow case, a lightweight rug, a soft bathrobe- just little ways of making the Hab a home.
Being the Only Woman in the Habitat
Her Cosmic Orbit: Have you encountered any aspects of the mission or habitat that may be experienced differently between male and female crewmembers? And on the flip side, are there any strengths or perspectives you feel you bring to the mission because of it?
Ellen Ellis: I can only speak to my own experience, but I think there are more similarities than differences with my male counterparts on this mission. We all come from technical backgrounds and have a strong interest in human space flight.
We’re all different sized humans though and having some diversity in size and height has been advantageous. On a larger construction project, it’s helpful to have extended reach and strength. There are also times when my size is an advantage, especially when we’re doing maintenance, sometimes it’s easier me to access internal components because I have smaller hands. It’s helpful to have different attributes, for different circumstances.
Women Have Always Been Part of Space Exploration
Her Cosmic Orbit: Her Cosmic Orbit is all about showing women and girls that there's a place for them in space. What would you want a young woman following this mission to know about pursuing a future in science, medicine, or space exploration?
Ellen Ellis: I’ve found a career in the space community to be incredibly rewarding. It was hard work, especially in undergrad, but it’s been absolutely worth it. Women have been at the forefront of STEM for generations- Ada Lovelace, Grace Hopper, Marie Curie, Hedy Lamarr.
I might be the only woman in Mars Dune Alpha, but the CHAPEA Principal Investigator is a woman. Our Project Scientist is a woman. I am surrounded by exceptional women here at NASA.
Find Your Squad. And Never Count Yourself Out.
Her Cosmic Orbit: Is there a woman in your life who inspires you? What advice would you give to young women or girls interested in STEM or space exploration?
Ellen Ellis: Retired General and former Astronaut Susan Helms is a source of inspiration. I had the unique opportunity to serve as her Aide de Camp when I was stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Aside from being brilliant, she has an incredible work ethic and a lot of integrity. She currently Chairs the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel that reports to the NASA Administrator and Congress on safety issues.
I’m also inspired by the amazing women I count as friends. Many, but not all of them, come
from STEM backgrounds. It’s so important to have a social network, especially of smart, capable women that you can rely on. The brilliant women in my life have helped in infinite ways. If I could offer some advice to young women in STEM, it would be find your squad. It’s been a huge blessing in my life. Being in STEM requires hard work, but it’s incredibly rewarding. I can’t imagine any other vocation.
The other piece advice that I often give to junior Guardians in the Space Force is to never self-eliminate from an opportunity you’re interested in.
You might think you’re not experienced enough or you don’t have the right credentials.
Apply.
You just might have a particular skillset that someone is looking for… maybe for the next CHAPEA mission!
The Future of Space Exploration Is Human
On October 31, Ellis and her three crewmates officially completed CHAPEA Mission 2, emerging from the habitat after 378 days of simulated life on Mars.
The crew's work will help NASA better understand the physical, psychological, and logistical challenges astronauts could face during future missions to the Moon and Mars.
Following the mission, Ellis reflected on the importance of the team supporting the crew from Earth.
"When I look back on the mission, the most salient point I've learned is that a future Mars crew requires a highly integrated ground team," Ellis said in NASA's post-mission report.
It's an important reminder that even the most ambitious journeys into space will never be accomplished by astronauts alone.
They'll require scientists, engineers, medical specialists, researchers, and countless people working together, many of whom will never leave Earth themselves.
And for us at Her Cosmic Orbit, there's another important takeaway from Ellis's experience:
Being the only woman in the room doesn't mean you're the only woman making an impact.
Ellis's story is a reminder that women have been shaping science and exploration for generations, and that their contributions extend far beyond the people we see wearing spacesuits.
Her perspective also challenges the idea that there's only one kind of person suited for space exploration. Different experiences, abilities, and ways of thinking aren't just valuable for representation. They're assets when solving the complex problems of living and working beyond Earth.
As NASA continues studying what it will take to send humans farther into space, stories like Ellis's help us understand not just how we'll get there, but who will make that future possible.
And to the next generation of women dreaming about a future in space, we'll leave you with Ellis's advice:
Find your squad. Take the opportunity. And don't count yourself out before you've even begun.
Copy. We hear you loud and clear!🫡 👯♀️
Want to See Where Ellen Spent 378 Days?
Before CHAPEA Mission 2 began, Her Cosmic Orbit visited NASA's Johnson Space Center for an exclusive media tour of Mars Dune Alpha.
We got to walk through the same 3D-printed habitat where Ellis and her crewmates would spend the next year, exploring everything from the living quarters and research areas to the simulated Martian landscape.
🚀 Watch our full CHAPEA habitat walkthrough on YouTube and get an inside look at the place four volunteers called home for 378 days.
Follow Her Cosmic Orbit for more exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes access, and stories highlighting the women helping shape our future in space.
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