378 days: UCF grad finishes simulated Mars stay

Matthew Montgomery has ended a 378-day simulated stay on Mars. The 39-year-old Orlando native stepped out of a 1,700-square-foot, 3D-printed habitat at NASA's Johnson Space Center on Oct. 31. He spent more than a year inside with three other crew members testing how humans can live and work on the Red Planet.

Montgomery, a 2008 bachelor's and 2009 master's graduate in electrical engineering from UCF, served as the mission's science officer. He is not a professional astronaut or a NASA scientist. He is the founder of Floating Lava Studios, a film production company in Los Angeles. He stepped away from his business and family for the mission after an 18-month application and screening process.

The crew participated in NASA's Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog, or CHAPEA. The program simulates long-duration stays on the Martian surface. The group's daily routine included resistance and cardio exercise, science experiments, crop care, and maintenance work. They also performed spacewalks, both in virtual reality and on a simulated Mars surface with red regolith simulant.

Montgomery used his engineering background to contribute expertise in LED lighting, robotics, and controlled environment agriculture. The crew also tested time-delayed communications. On Mars, the distance from Earth makes instant communication impossible. Messages take time to send and receive, forcing the crew to rely on written plans and independent decision-making.

During the mission, Montgomery noted that the crew bonded over film and music. He brought a buckwheat pillow, headphones, and a set of spudger tools. He also brought books to add to the group's library. He said he should have brought a small mirror for his room. He also noted that high-quality microphones brought by another crew member helped with video interviews.

Montgomery said he learned to trust his instincts more during the long stay. He said that in complex situations, mistakes are inevitable. He learned to assess those mistakes accurately and move on. He also said that long-duration missions offer the chance to try things again if they do not work the first time.

He advised future Mars explorers to acquire a broad set of skills. He said that when only four people are present, they must solve problems themselves. That breadth of knowledge can be the difference between life and death. He also said explorers should foster a deep sense of inquisitiveness and check everything for both data and safety.

Montgomery said he felt meant for the mission when he read the application. He said the researchers asked for help for a worthy cause. He said that when pursuing lofty goals, communication and support are essential. He said people show up and support you when you ask for help.