Matthew Montgomery \u201908 \u201909MS<\/strong> and James Spicer pose in front of the door to the simulated Martian landscape. (Photo courtesy of: NASA\/CHAPEA crew)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nOn Oct. 19, 2025, Montgomery entered a 1,700-square-foot, 3D-printed habitat at NASA’s Johnson Space Center with three crewmates for NASA\u2019s Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA). Together, they’ve simulated living on Mars, conducting research and collecting data as if they were 140 million miles from Earth.<\/p>\n
Their work includes spacewalks with and without virtual reality, time-delayed communications, crop growth, meal preparation and consumption, exercise, hygiene activities, maintenance work, personal time, science work and sleep \u2014 all to help prepare for future missions.<\/p>\n
The 39-year-old isn\u2019t a trained astronaut or a NASA scientist. After an 18-month application and screening process, being selected to volunteer for this mission meant stepping away from his loved ones and Floating Lava Studios, his Los Angeles-based film production company, for more than a year.<\/p>\n
He cultivated the skills that helped him land this gig, in part, at UCF.<\/p>\n
An Orlando native, Montgomery enrolled through an early admission program while still a senior at nearby University High School. As a Burnett Honors Scholar, he immersed himself in research opportunities and lab work while earning his bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s degrees in electrical engineering.<\/p>\n
\u201cUCF provided me the technical foundation to get where I\u2019m at,\u201d Montgomery says. \u201cI think engineering is one of the best undergraduate degree programs that anyone can pursue. Foundationally, it teaches you problem-solving skills that can be broadly applied to almost anywhere you go. I also learned solid research principles, and lab work was critical. You need both sides. There\u2019s a lot of opportunity (at UCF). I\u2019ve taken a more entrepreneurial approach (in my career), and I think UCF really sets you up for that.\u201d<\/p>\nMatthew Montgomery \u201908 \u201909MS<\/strong> conducts research inside the habitat, as shown in a photo released on day 300 of the mission. (Photo courtesy of NASA\/CHAPEA crew)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAs CHAPEA\u2019s science officer, Montgomery draws on his engineering background to contribute expertise in LED lighting, robotics, controlled environment agriculture and embedded control systems.<\/p>\n
Ahead of the mission’s scheduled Oct. 31 conclusion, Montgomery answered questions via video about life inside the habitat \u2014 and what it could mean for humanity’s future beyond Earth.<\/p>\n
A Glimpse of Life on Mars<\/h2>\nInside CHAPEA\u2019s sandbox area, research volunteers conduct simulated walks on the surface of Mars. (Photo courtesy of NASA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhy did you say yes to this mission?I think there\u2019s a powerful lesson and reminder in there \u2014 when you\u2019re pursuing lofty goals or reaching for the stars, you do need support. All you need to do is communicate your vision and ask for help. When you do, people show up and support you.<\/p>\n
What does a routine day look like?We also perform spacewalks, or extravehicular activities, in two forms: virtual reality (VR) or non-VR.<\/p>\n
Outside the airlock, we have a simulated Mars surface with red regolith simulant. During non-VR spacewalks, we participate in surface equipment checks, maintenance, infrastructure builds, and a lot of science and geological-type tasks.<\/p>\n
On VR spacewalks, we put on headsets and use treadmills that allow us to traverse much larger distances. Compared to the International Space Station, you might be doing spacewalks every day on Mars, and that tempo is something NASA isn’t used to. We need to gather data: Does that tempo start to affect cognition or physical performance?<\/p>\n
When you are on the surface of these more remote environments, you\u2019re going to want to use that time to not only survive, but gather data and increase the body of scientific knowledge.<\/p>\nLeft: Matthew Montgomery \u201908 \u201909MS<\/strong> collects a blood sample for health monitoring. Right: Montgomery evaluates a seed germination experiment in the glovebox. (Photos courtesy of NASA\/CHAPEA crew)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHow well did you pack for 378 days?I did bring some comforts. I\u2019m glad I brought a buckwheat pillow. I find them really comfortable, especially when they\u2019re broken in. I brought a good pair of headphones and a set of spudger tools.<\/p>\n
We packed quite a few books. We have a nice library of music and movies. Owning a production company, I really enjoy film, and members of the crew are film fans, too. It\u2019s been something we\u2019ve bonded over.<\/p>\n
I wish I had brought a small mirror for my room. One of the other crew members brought high-quality microphones we could plug into different devices. It\u2019s contributing to this interview.<\/p>\n
In the end, there are four of us. When we come together, we have quite the spread and our bases covered.<\/p>\nMatthew Montgomery \u201908 \u201909MS<\/strong> showcases vegetables harvested from the hydroponic crop growth system. (Photo courtesy of NASA\/CHAPEA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHow do you hope this mission will advance space exploration?An important aspect of our mission is time-delayed communication. That\u2019s something NASA has limited experience with but is looking to gain through experiments like this.<\/p>\n
If we think about the ISS or the moon, they\u2019re relatively close to the Earth, and [communication] is nearly instantaneous. But as we push farther out to Mars, that distance gets quite long. We have no [option for] instant [communication] like a phone call or video chat. A lot becomes written, and we have to account for the time it takes to send messages and receive responses.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, all of this will hopefully create new processes, procedures and plans for surface missions where mission control isn\u2019t quite as integrated with the crews.<\/p>\nTop: CHAPEA mission 2 crew stands in front of the Space Exploration Vehicle, a prototype pressurized rover that transported the crew at the start of the mission. (Photo courtesy of NASA\/James Blair). Bottom: Matthew Montgomery \u201908 \u201909MS<\/strong> says time spent with his crewmates will be among his most cherished mission memories. (Photo courtesy of NASA\/CHAPEA crew)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhat have you learned about yourself during this mission?The good part about a long-duration mission is there’s usually an opportunity to give something a go again. There\u2019s a little comfort in that.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve also learned I should trust myself a little more. When something doesn\u2019t feel right or I\u2019m feeling [drawn to] a particular course of action, I should dive in and pinpoint where that\u2019s coming from. A few [times during] this mission, [doing that has] led to better outcomes.<\/p>\nMatthew Montgomery \u201908 \u201909MS <\/strong>(left) and Commander Ross Elder (right) prepare for a simulated spacewalk in the airlock. (Photo courtesy of NASA\/CHAPEA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhat advice do you have for future Mars explorers?Foster a deep sense of inquisitiveness. You need to be present. Being [observant] might lead to new discoveries. It might also lead to preemptive measures that help your safety and success.<\/p>\n
Check everything. That\u2019s both good for data and good for safety.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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