I lived in a Mars simulation—here’s what I learned | Mackenzie Calle | TEDxTallinn

The speaker recounts their experience participating in a two-week Mars simulation at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah. As the crew journalist, their role was to document the mission alongside Commander Rim Shahed, scientist Shria Masuku, and engineer Ricardo Jay Gonzalez. This simulated Mars environment imposed strict limitations, mirroring the challenges of actual space travel. They had no access to social media or current news, and communication with loved ones was limited to emails with a 48-minute time delay, simulating the communication lag between Mars and Earth. Water was extremely scarce, with only 400 gallons for the entire two weeks, allowing for minimal personal hygiene and impacting their general well-being. Leaving the habitat required wearing a full spacesuit and going through a five-minute depressurization process in the airlock for Extravehicular Activities (EVAs), which they performed almost daily. Their diet consisted primarily of rehydrated food, with meals often involving cans of ingredients like chicken, corn, and various cheeses. Living and working in close quarters for two weeks, they shared meals, slept in small bunk rooms, developed inside jokes, and had deep conversations, forming a close bond as they were the only people they saw face-to-face. Despite only meeting in person a few days before the mission, the crew had spent a year training virtually, including psychological testing, team-building, and mission planning. The simulation was part of the "World's Biggest Analog," the largest analog astronaut research study ever, involving 17 habitats in 15 countries. The study aimed to understand the psychology of long-term space flight, especially for potential future multi-site bases on the Moon and Mars. The MDRS habitat was described as luxurious compared to others, featuring multiple interconnected modules like an engineering bay, science dome, greenhouse, solar observatory, and a two-story main habitat with sleeping quarters and a kitchen. In contrast, the Hydronaut Deep Lab H03 in Prague lived in a cramped 90-square-foot space with no windows. The speaker then pivoted to discuss the broader implications of space exploration, referencing historical NASA astronaut selection processes. They brought up the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule, a personality test used in the 1960s that included questions designed to gauge heterosexuality. This led to a discussion about the historical exclusion of openly queer individuals from space programs, noting that despite no explicit rules, the lack of representation speaks volumes. The speaker, being openly queer, feels this silence is exclusionary. The current era of space exploration, with NASA's Artemis program aiming to return humans to the Moon and eventually Mars, raises critical questions about who will go, how they will live and work ethically in space, and how to tell stories from these distant locations. The quote "You can't be what you can't see" by Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, resonated deeply. While Ride was a pioneer for women in science, she lived with a secret: a 27-year partnership with Dr. Tam Shaughnessy, revealed posthumously. Sally and Tam chose to keep their personal lives private for professional reasons, a sacrifice the speaker reflected on. As a photographer and observer, the speaker found themselves, for the first time, part of the story, contemplating Sally Ride's potential internal struggles and the question of their own inclusion in such missions. The intense, close-quarters living blurred personal and professional boundaries, leading to a physically and emotionally challenging experience. The weight of the spacesuit, carrying equipment, lack of sleep, poor hygiene, and isolation took a toll. The crew became each other's sole support system, engaging in open conversations about conflicts, successes, fears, and personal histories. The psychological surveys constantly asked if they were tired, to which the answer was always a resounding yes. Amidst these challenges, maintaining a sense of self became crucial. Personal items like family recipes, photos, or a cherished watch served as anchors. Even listening to favorite music provided a personal sanctuary. A pivotal moment occurred on "soul 7 or 8" (day 7 or 8 on Mars) when the crew visited the solar observatory, the only outdoor area accessible without spacesuits. Under a clear night sky, they witnessed the Milky Way and an immense number of stars. This experience evoked the "overview effect," where seeing Earth from space highlights its fragility and interconnectedness. Looking at the vastness, they contemplated which tiny speck was Earth, containing all of humanity and their lives. This realization underscored the fragility of their home planet and the need for protection, while also emphasizing their shared existence. The speaker concluded by reflecting on the profound lessons learned from the journey, emphasizing that venturing into space will require the collective effort of "all of us."