Refinement of Selection of a Campaign of Analog Subjects for NASA Human Exploration Research Analog

The NASA Research Operations and Integration (ROI) Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) is a 650-square foot habitat that supports isolation and confinement research topics including behavioral health and performance, team dynamics, and autonomy studies. Campaign 6 (C6), a complement of fifteen science experiments and operational tasks was a simulated mission to the Mars moon Phobos. For Campaign 7 (C7), the most recent HERA campaign, a complement of eighteen science experiments and operational tasks were completed by four crew members over a 45-day simulated mission to Mars.

Prior to each mission, a crew of 4 primary crew members and 2 alternates are selected from a pool of candidates. Applicants must meet astronaut-like criteria and be composed of an equal gender ratio. After a comprehensive screening and interview process the crew and alternates are selected.