Dr Michaela Musilova
Bio: Dr. Michaela Musilova is an astrobiologist, speaker, analog astronaut and author. Michaela has been conducting space-related research at institutions around the world, which include: CalTech, University College London, Chiba University (Japan) and others. Additionally, she has been working with NASA, ESA and international observatories, such as the University of London and Canada-France-Hawaii telescopes. Michaela has been the Commander of over 30 simulated missions to the Moon and Mars, in collaboration with NASA and many international organizations. She is currently Global Faculty at the International Space University, Ambassador for Space ScAvengers and the
Head of Research of NEEDRONIX. Furthermore, Michaela has received numerous prizes and grants, including being
selected as one of the Most Promising 30 Under 30 by Forbes Slovakia, and Top 100 Aerospace and Aviation Professionals on LinkedIn in 2021 & 2022; and the Emerging Space
Leaders Grant. Currently, Michaela is running a unique global project called Astro Seven Summits, which combines expeditions to the highest mountain on each of the seven continents together with scientific and educational research in cooperation with NASA. This project is also going to be ground-breaking, because if all goes well, Michaela will become the first Slovak woman in the world to climb both Mount Everest and to achieve the Seven Summits challenge. Michaela regularly teaches; gives lectures and keynote presentations to a range of audiences around the world; and works with international media. Moreover, she writes articles for Space.com and co-authored her biography, A Woman from Mars.
Talk: From the Earth's extremes all the way to Mars - the journey of an astrobiologist
Dr Angelo Vermuelen
Bio: Angelo Vermeulen is a space biologist, complex systems engineer, computational designer, and artist. He holds a PhD in developmental biology and ecology from KU Leuven in Belgium and is currently writing his second PhD dissertation at TU Delft in the Netherlands. His research involves the development of bio-inspired concepts for interstellar exploration, with a focus on self-replicating architecture and bioregenerative life support systems. Vermeulen has a profound interest in complexity science and is fascinated by principles of self-organization, emergence, and evolution, in both the domains of art and science. He is the CTO (chief technology officer) at SpaceBorn United, a company that focuses on the development of technologies for human reproduction in space. In 2013 he served as crew commander of the first NASA-funded HI-SEAS Mars simulation in Hawaii, and in 2022 he reached the final 6% of candidates during the ESA Astronaut Selection process. Vermeulen is currently an expert at ITACCUS (IAF Committee for the Cultural Utilisation of Space), and previously at ETTAS (European Space Agency Topical Team Arts & Science). He co-founded SEADS (Space Ecologies Art and Design), a cross-cultural collective of artists, scientists, engineers, and activists. In 2019 and 2020, SEADS sent its Ēngines of Ēternity art project twice to the International Space Station. A third mission is currently in preparation. Vermeulen’s art projects have been exhibited throughout Europe, the Americas, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. He is presently working as a creative consultant for Lunar Strike, a science fiction computer game created by Cognition in LA and Antwerp. Vermeulen was named Belgian Tech Pioneer (De Tijd), received fellowships in the US (TED, Parsons School for Design), and has been awarded multiple times for his transdisciplinary creative work. To date, he wrote over 50 publications covering his research in art and science.
Talk: Where no Seedlings and Embryos Have Gone Before
Bioregenerative life support is essential for long-term human settlement in space by ensuring a continuous supply of fresh food, oxygen, and water through the recycling of human waste. Yet, creating and managing artificial ecosystems present unique challenges. This presentation delves into the intricacies of bioregenerative life support systems, examining the complexities of close-coupling and deterministic chaos through computer simulations. Understanding reproductive biology in space is equally crucial for establishing long-lasting human communities, as both human survival and the functionality of bioregenerative life support systems hinge on successful reproduction. SpaceBorn United specializes in developing reliable and safe reproductive technologies for extraterrestrial use. Updates on the development of an in-space IVF incubator set to orbit Earth will be shared.
Dr Yulia Akisheva
Bio: Yulia Akisheva stands as an acclaimed aerospace engineer and dedicated advocate for gender equality, currently at the forefront of ground-breaking research in the field. She recently gained a PhD in the Protective Use of Regolith for Planetary and Lunar Exploration (PURPLE) – a venture supported by the European Space Agency (ESA), TRAD Tests & Radiations, and ISAE-SUPAERO under the esteemed ESA OSIP collaboration platform. Today, Yulia works as a freelancer consulting space exploration projects and coaching engineers in effective communication. With an illustrious career trajectory shaped by an unwavering commitment to human spaceflight, Yulia's journey began over a decade ago with a singular goal – to contribute to the historic moment of placing the first human boot on Mars. Fuelling this ambition, she has earned three Master’s degrees from prestigious European institutions, including KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden and ISAE-SUPAERO in France. Her expertise spans Aerospace Structures and Materials, Design and Operation of Space Systems, and Sciences of the Mechanics of Materials and Structures. Adept in the realms of debate coaching and communications, Yulia takes an active role in organizing public debates and coaching sessions for engineering students. Her TEDx talk, "To Mars Together: 5 Reasons to Explore the Red Planet," stands as a testament to her ability to captivate and inspire through innovative channels.
Talk: Lunar Regolith: Building Safe Spaces for Astronauts
Join Dr. Yulia Akisheva for an insightful talk on the role of regolith and regolith simulants in habitat construction and radiation protection of astronauts on the Moon. Learn about their development, selection, and practical use in space missions. Dr. Akisheva will make a case for regolith simulants’ use in analog missions and how radiation protection strategies can be tested operationally.
Madelyn Hoying
Bio: Madelyn Hoying is a PhD candidate in the joint MIT and Harvard Medical School Medical Engineering and Medical Physics program, and an M.S. in AeroAstro at MIT. Her Ph.D. research in the Tearney Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital investigates aerospace physiology leading to novel medical devices for long-duration spaceflight. Her M.S. research targets development of planetary exploration architectures. Madelyn graduated from Duquesne University in 2020 with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and a B.A. in Physics, where she was a 2020 nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award as a member of the NCAA D1 swim team. In addition, Madelyn designs and leads analog missions to test new technologies, human operations, crew dynamics, and recovery procedures in simulated planetary surface exploration missions.
Talk: Flexible analog mission design for operational risk management
With the development of high-capacity launch vehicles, large missions are becoming feasible options for lunar and Martian exploration. The risk profiles of human surface exploration missions change with crew size. As we move beyond the standard 4-6 person crew, novel methods are needed to simulate flexible mission architectures for operational risk analysis. Here we present a modular analog method with results of two missions, comparing psychosocial risk and emergency response capabilities of the different mission architectures.
Kai Staats
John Adams
Bio: Kai Staats, MSc is an entrepreneur, award winning filmmaker, and researcher in the space sciences. At Northwestern University Kai worked in machine learning applied to data analysis at LIGO, the gravitational wave observatory. At Arizona State University, School of Earth and Space Exploration Kai developed SIMOC, an agent-based model with educational interface for a human habit on Mars, hosted by National Geographic since 2020. At the University of Arizona Biosphere 2, Kai's team is constructing a Space Analog for the Moon and Mars (SAM), a hi-fidelity, hermetically sealed analog complete with greenhouse, living quarters, airlocks, use of pressure suits, and a half acre Mars yard. Kai attended the Mars Desert Research station with crew #134 in '14, attended the International Space University SSP '17, and in 2019 he completed construction of Tanzania's first research-grade astronomical observatory with Astronomers Without Borders.
Bio: For two decades, John Adams has helped drive the evolution of Biosphere 2 through positions of progressive responsibility and oversight. Starting in 1995, after receiving his BS in Wildlife and Fishery Science at the University of Arizona and working on various biology research initiatives in Southern Arizona, Adams became Senior Research Specialist at Biosphere 2, leading the terrestrial research initiatives exploring the effect of elevated CO2 on the complex mesocosms of Biosphere 2. Building on his deep knowledge of the facility and its science, Adams became Biosphere 2’s Media Coordinator and Public Spokesperson at Columbia University in 1999, fielding B2 inquiries from around the world, building public understanding of the University’s groundbreaking earth systems science research and developing its K-12 education programs.
In 2014, Adams advanced to his current leadership role of Biosphere 2 Deputy Director. In part, the promotion marked a return to his roots, engaging as a key member of the team that plans and directs all research and related activities inside Biosphere 2 and the surrounding campus. Beyond research, however, as Deputy Director Adams also holds responsibility for planning and direction of site operations and Under the Glass activities, serving as B2’s primary spokesperson and media contact, overseeing biome management, energy management and facilities maintenance and setting the vision for public outreach.
Talk 1: SAM Updates: Mission Control, Mars Crater, and Reduced Gravity Simulator
Talk 2: ECLSS Monitoring with SIMOC Live
Cristina Star
Bio: Cristina Star is a scientist and Buddhist with a lifelong passion for helping people be their best and work to solve the monumental challenges of this time. She earned a degree in Physics from UC Berkeley, worked for Lawrence Berkeley Labs in both the Physics and Geochemistry divisions, with the Space Sciences Lab managing a small telescope array on Mount Wilson for Nobel Laureate Dr. Charles Townes, and did graduate studies in planetary science. After a decade of in-depth study in indigenous, Buddhist, and yogic practice and teaching personal transformation programs through her company, TRU Education, she is currently finishing a Masters in Space Policy. Star is an advisor to SETI Institute and IONS, and works with The Human Space Program to support collaborations between environmentalists and space ventures towards ensuring our future is ultimately of benefit to the Earth and the celestial systems we settle. She is the lead facilitator for SpaceKind Leadership and her company, Cosmic Citizen Trainings, is the synthesis of over two decades of study and practice and teaching, built to serve the individual and the whole.
Talk: Climate Action + Lunar Exploration → Implications for Earth based Analogs
Through a partnership between the Moon Village Association and the Human Space Program, we are in process of assessing the interplay of the Moon and Earth environment(s) and investigating the prospective benefits that Lunar Exploration and Utilization might offer to climate action. Traditionally, the Earth and Moon environments have been considered in isolation. Our study posits there exists an intimate and significant relationship between the two, and that this must be considered in the context of Lunar Exploration and Utilization. With climate change as the most significant environmental issue of our time, our research evaluates how lunar exploration and utilization may contribute to mitigating this existential threat. On Earth day, April 22, 2024, both organizations hosted (will host) a virtual panel discussion on these topics, Moderated by Cristina and featuring diverse perspectives from experts in industry, policy, science, environmentalism, and indigenous space. This AAC Session will synthesize the insights garnered from this panel and forum discussion, Climate Action and Lunar Exploration. It will also include an outline for a strategic path forward ensuring that lunar exploration and utilization also addresses significant environmental issues relevant to every stakeholder. **The constraints defined by this study should be considered in every analog design aimed at lunar applications for the benefit of the Earth.** There will be a powerful and informative power point as well as directed discussion on implications and applications for Analogs.
Prof Takanori Shibata
Bio: Prof. Takanori Shibata received B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Electronic and Mechanical Engineering from Nagoya University in 1989, 91 and 92, respectively. He was a research scientist at AIST, MITI from 93 to 98. Concurrently, he was a visiting research scientist at the Artificial Intelligence Lab., Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 95 to 98, and a visiting research scientist at the Artificial Intelligence Lab., Univ. of Zurich in 96. At the AIST, Dr. Shibata was a senior research scientist from 98 to 13. Concurrently, he was the Deputy Director for Information and Communication Technology Policy, Cabinet Office of Japan in 2009 and 2010. Since 2013, he has been the current position, and concurrently, a Professor at the Dept. of Computer Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, and a visiting fellow, AgeLab, MIT. He was also a visiting research scientist at the National Cancer Center of Japan in 2022 and 2023. His research interests include human-robot interaction, robot therapy, mental health for astronauts in long-term missions (e.g. to Mars and Moon), and humanitarian de-mining. He was certified as the inventor of a seal robot named PARO, the World’s Most Therapeutic Robot, by Guinness World Records in 2002. He received many awards including the Japanese Prime Minister’s Award in 2003, and The Outstanding Young Person of the world by Junior Chamber International in 2004. In 2015, PARO was awarded the “Patient Trophy” as innovation of non-pharmacological therapy for dementia by AP-HP, France. In 2018, Prof. Shibata was awarded the “Ryman Prize” with NZD250,000, that is the most prestigious award in the fields of geriatric medicine, welfare and health in the world. In 2022, he was awarded the 10 th Anniversary Special Robot Award by the Gov. of Japan.
Talk: Mental Health Care for Astronauts in Long-term Space Missions by Baby Seal Robot, PARO - a Biofeedback Medical Device
PARO has been a biofeedback medical device to improve moods, stress, anxiety, depression, pain, agitation, insomnia, etc. of patients with cancer, dementia, delirium, brain injury, other neurological disorders and developmental disorders. PARO was evaluated in the cases of analog astronauts in some analog missions and a case of healthy young adults in a laboratory setting.
Emily Apollonio
Bio: Emily Apollonio is the founder of Interstellar Performance Labs, where she leads a team dedicated to advancing safety and performance in space exploration. As the creator of the Stellar Training for Astronaut Readiness Program for Analogs, Emily has developed innovative training protocols to prepare analog astronauts for the rigors of analog missions. With her extensive experience as a competitive athlete, analog astronaut, and mission coach, Emily brings firsthand knowledge and expertise to her work, ensuring that crew members are equipped with the skills and resilience needed for success in challenging environments. Emily is a dedicated advocate for safety and innovation in space exploration. With a background in human factors and aircraft accident investigation, and a passion for advancing crew safety, Emily has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives to revolutionize safety protocols in space analog missions like the International Guidelines and Standards for Space Analogs and an anonymous safety reporting program for analog missions. Her skills in human factors analysis has enabled her to develop innovative approaches to gather crucial safety data while fostering a culture of open reporting. Through her work, Emily aims to ensure the well-being of astronauts and contribute to the future of space exploration.
Talk: Advancing Safety and Sustainability in Space Analog Missions: A Call for Collaboration and Innovation
This will be a presentation on revolutionizing safety protocols in space analog missions! Over the past decade, the analog astronaut community has seen a surge in missions, yet incidents remain underreported, hindering safety improvements. Our method introduces a comprehensive approach to gather safety and mission performance data, focusing on crew well-being and fostering a blame-free culture. We'll explore the benefits of implementing an anonymous safety reporting program (ASRP), seeking supporters and participants for this groundbreaking initiative. By collaborating with habitat organizations and analog astronauts, we aim to enhance crew safety through specialized training and innovative survey protocols. Our findings promise to uncover vital insights into organizational factors and offer targeted interventions for improvement. Together, let's pave the way for safer, more sustainable space exploration. Join us in shaping the future of space analog missions and commercial spaceflight!
Kato Claeys
Bio: Kato has a background in architectural engineering and space studies. She has been a pilot for over 10 years. Her passion for aviation started as a glider pilot with the Belgian Air Cadets. During her master's degree in space studies, her focus shifted from aviation to space. Kato has been an analogue astronaut on several missions where she performed the roles of Vice-Commander and Commander. In early 2023, she began her role as Director of Operations for the HI-SEAS habitat. The Lunar-like lava field and analog space research are a very exciting and interesting work environment for her. Her hobbies include hiking, traveling and all kinds of adventures.
Talk: HI-SEAS: The Hawai‘i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation habitat and EMMIHS 2023/2024 missions
The session will be about the HI-SEAS habitat in general and the experiments that have been conducted during the missions in 2023/2024. These experiments include testing of technology, psychological experiments, social experiments, etc.
Yuta Kikuchi
Bio: Yuta Kikuchi is J-SPARC (JAXA Space Innovation through Partnership and Co-creation) Producer of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), as well as the Director of SPACE FOODSPHERE. He holds a graduate degree in Human Science, and Joined JAXA in 2006. He is in charge of building partnership schemes with companies, universities, research institutes, educational institutions, and local governments, as well as planning collaborative projects. In 2010, he designed and operated some residential space education program with stays at JAXA’s isolation and confinement facility. In 2014-2015, he launched a sponsorship scheme for JAXA and private space projects at a major Japanese advertising agency. In 2018, he launched J-SPARC, which conducts co-creation activities with private companies with the goal of commercialization by private companies and the creation of future JAXA missions. He leads co-creation activities for projects in the manned space field, such as transportation, lifestyle, healthcare, and space food projects. In this context, he is a Director of SPACE FOODSPHERE(SFS), which was established in 2020 by private funds and JAXA to solve issues related to food and lifestyle common to both Earth and space. He also developed a PR strategy for the selection of JAXA astronaut candidates for 2021-2022 and planned a recruitment promotion campaign with corporate participation.
Talk: Japan's Approach to Analog Now ～Potential of Japanese style ～
This session will introduce the "past" and "present" of analog and analog-related activities in Japan. One is to introduce past examples of analog activities in Japan, as well as astronaut selection and other efforts using JAXA's Isolation and confinement facility. And various activities at JAXA (e.g., pressurized rover, training, and the birth of new astronauts) that are moving toward human space exploration and the ARTEMIS mission will be introduced. The second is activities to accelerate private-sector-led human space activities. The presentation will include projects for the era of space travel and human space exploration in the co-creation program between private companies and JAXA and co-creation platform (SPACE FOODSPHERE), as well as examples of unique analog missions by private players.
Prof. Joel L. Cuello
Bio: Prof. Joel Cuello, Ph.D. is Professor of Biosystems Engineering, Director of the Biosystems Engineering (BioImagineering) Laboratory, and Director of Graduate Studies for Interdisciplinary Applied Biosciences (Bioeconomy and New Food Systems) at The University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A. He is also Chair of the Science Advisory Board of the International Association for Vertical Farming (AVF) based in Munich, Germany.
A globally recognized expert in the engineering of sustainable biological and agricultural systems, Prof. Cuello has 33 years of experience in research, teaching and outreach on innovations in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) for the sustainable production of food and high-value bioproducts, including for bioregenerative space life support applications. He has collaborated widely and globally and has led his BioImagineering Team in designing original innovations ranging from microalgae photobioreactors to growing structures for vertical farms future extraterrestrial human habitats.
Talk: Infinite agriculture (IA) for advanced off-world analogs
Both Earth, with its global population now in excess of 8 billion in the face of a changing
climate, and off-world human habitats on the Moon, Mars and beyond require food systems that are regenerative, self-perpetuating, closed-loop and controlled environment – that is, the very definition of Infinite Agriculture (IA) – to achieve both resilience and sustainability. IA encompasses vertical farming, lab-grown meat, lab-grown seafoods, mycelium(mushroom)-based food, algae-based food and more. One critical attribute of advanced off-world analogs is their incorporation, design, demonstration, testing and validation of IA modules – making advanced off-world analogs true test beds for how to live with resilience and sustainability both in extraterrestrial environments as well as here on Earth.
Dr Dan Novy (NovySan)
Bio: Dan Novy, also known as NovySan, is an Assistant Professor of Emerging Media Arts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Research Affiliate at the MIT Media Lab. With a focus on transforming passive media consumption into interactive and socially immersive experiences, NovySan's expertise spans across diverse fields. As a former Emmy- and Visual Effects Society Award-winning VFX technical supervisor, NovySan chaired the Visual Effects Society's Technology Committee and ventured into transmedia production, pushing the boundaries of mediated experiences. At MIT, NovySan's pioneering work includes developing next-generation displays for his master's thesis and creating Programmable Synthetic Hallucinations for his PhD, utilizing brain mechanics to display virtual information. Engaged in space exploration since his involvement with the Media Lab's Space Exploration Initiative, NovySan co-designed and executed the inaugural Beyond The Cradle conference. He expanded his exploratory reach into deep-ocean realms with the Open Ocean Initiative and ongoing collaboration with the Ocean Discovery League as a research scientist and immersive data visualization imagineer.
Talk: Zero-G-ames
Games are a uniquely human endeavour, reducing stress and supporting mental well-being. Astronauts aboard the ISS have created their own games using materials at hand and pure creativity. What if we could create games for them that took particular advantage of aspects of space, such as micro-gravity, and would help keep astronauts mentally engaged, socially connected, and physically relaxed? Zero-G-ames is an ongoing series of workshops to explore, discuss, and design the history and future of games in constrained spaces and microgravity environments.
Christopher Cokinos
Bio: Christopher Cokinos is the author or co-editor of several books, including The Fallen Sky: An Intimate History of Shooting Stars, Hope Is the Things with Feathers: A Personal Chronicle of Vanished Birds, and Beyond Earth’s Edge: The Poetry of Spaceflight. He is the winner of awards and fellowships from, among others, New American Press, the Whiting Foundation, the Rachel Carson Center in Munich, and the National Science Foundation. His poetry and prose appear in such venues as Scientific American, High Country News, Astronomy, Discover.com, and the Los Angeles Times. Having taught literature, writing, and science communication for more than three decades at three universities, he again lives and writes in Utah. His new book Still as Bright: An Illuminating History of the Moon from Antiquity to Tomorrow is forthcoming from Pegasus Books in April 2024.
Talk: Imagination 1: Artists on the Moon
Imagination 1, now scheduled for March 2024 at SAM, will be the first multidisciplinary professional artists lunar analog ever (and features an all University of Arizona crew). We propose to present our creative activity, descriptions of our experiences in SAM and lessons learned for future artists missions. Mission facilitator (i.e. "commander") Christopher Cokinos will read from his nonfiction written during the week-long SAM immersion (an article intended for either Astronomy or The Space Review) and share experimental instant film photos. Second-in-command Julie Swarstad Johnson will read her poetry and present other artwork. Mission specialist Ivy Wahome will present fabric art, including a mission tapestry, while mission specialist Liz George will share video of her dance and body work as well as a live performance (in the pressure suit if possible). More information about each can be found at: https://www.ivywahome.com/ https://tftv.arizona.edu/news/ivy-wahomes-show-gilded-in-black-featured-on-arizona-illustrated/ https://dance.arizona.edu/people/directory/egeorge/ www.julieswarstadjohnson.com
Dr Cameron Smith
Bio: Dr. Smith is a cofounder of Pacific Spaceflight, a private think tank developing pressurized garments for human space exploration. A prehistorian at Portland State University’s Department of Anthropology, he has published widely on the human past (including two books on evolution), but also on the anthropology of the human future in space settlement, most recently in Scientific American magazine and in his book Emigrating Beyond Earth: Human Adaptation and Space Colonization (Springer 2012) and Principles of Space Anthropology: Establishing a Science of Human Space Settlement (Springer, Fall 2019). He aims to advance human space exploration by developing new technologies and techniques. Dr. Smith has spoken for NASA managers and has consulted in the private space industry on life-support and space suit matters. In Winter 2014 he spoke at Canada’s Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics and TEDX Brussels, and in 2015 he presented space suit technology as a speaker at both TEDX Portland and the Oregon Institute of Technology; the technology was also demonstrated in 2018 at Arizona State University’s School of Earth and Space Exploration. Dr. Smith’s research on the genetics of space settlement and constructing an evolutionary, adaptive paradigm for space settlement have been published in the scholarly journal Acta Astronautica; he has also published innovative space technology in the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society. A diver, paraglider pilot and hot air balloon pilot, Dr. Smith is applying his many years of sailing, mountaineering and solo Arctic icecap expeditions to devising ways to explore the surface of Mars.
Talk: The Evolution of spacesuits at Pacific Spaceflight
Pacific spaceflight and Smith Aerospace Garments have a rich legacy of developing low cost spacesuits for over 10 years. This talk will highlight the development and evolution of the spacesuits made by Cameron Smith at PacSpace, including the ones being currently used at SAM-B2, and will highlight the engineering and design solutions to some of the challenging aspects of spacesuit design- improving mobility, comfort and reducing strain and the occurrence of injuries
Dr Emmanuel Urquieta
Bio: Emmanuel Urquieta holds a medical degree and specialty in emergency medicine from Anahuac University in Mexico City as well as a master of science degree in aerospace medicine from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Emmanuel worked for Mexico City’s Police Department as a flight surgeon in the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service "Condors" where he participated in hundreds of rescue missions and aeromedical evacuations within the Mexico City metropolitan area. He has volunteered in medical missions in underserved regions throughout Mexico and in Nigeria, Africa. He was a volunteer paramedic for the Mexican Red Cross for more than 5 years. Emmanuel participated as a crew member of an analog mission at NASA Johnson Space Center: in 2017 he was selected to participate in the Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) XI mission where he spent 30 days in a capsule simulating a deep space long duration mission. He currently serves as chief medical officer at the NASA funded Translational Research Institute for Space Health where he manages medical research for missions to the Moon and Mars, the commercial spaceflight program EXPAND, and analog capabilities including partnerships with the Australian Antarctic Division. Dr. Urquieta has a dual faculty appointment as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine and Center for Space Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.
Talk: A brief history of spaceflight analogs and new opportunities
Thorsten Eschweiler
Bio: Thorsten is an exuberant explorer, a fervent space enthusiast, a devoted Mars Society ambassador, an ardent PADI divemaster candidate, a founder of the innovative Mars Technology Institute, and an alumnus of Spacekind 11. As an aspiring analog astronaut and prospective graduate student in Geosciences and Space Studies with a strong interest in space exploration, he displays a passion and intrinsic drive for remote sensing, planetary science, and exploring terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments, curiously looking beyond the horizon and delving into the unknown. His primary focus is on Mars with the goal of making life multiplanetary, colonizing the Red Planet, and improving life on Earth and beyond. He strives to revive our innate spirit of enthusiasm and exploration, ultimately transforming humanity into a better and advanced tomorrow. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Geosciences and a “Certificate of International Competence” from the University of Bonn, Germany; one graduate certificate in “Mars Settlement and Exploration” from Mars University (MarsU) of the inaugural program and founding class of August 2021; and one graduate certificate in “Mars Science and Engineering” from the inaugural and founding class in August 2022 with MarsU, International Space University, and Instituto Superior Técnico Engineering.
Talk: Cranio-Electro Stimulation (CES) and Randomized Audio-Visual Entrainment Technology (AVE) Acting in Synergy to Boost Human Factors in Analog Space Operations and Beyond
PCranio-Electro Stimulation (CES) and Randomized Audio-Visual Entrainment Technology (AVE) are both innovative techniques that have shown great potential in enhancing various aspects of human performance, including cognitive function, relaxation, and stress reduction. When used in conjunction, these technologies could offer synergistic benefits, particularly in the context of demanding analog astronaut missions, other high-performance space operations, and even daily life on Earth. As a non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical brain-calming approach, CES involves applying low-level electrical currents across a person´s head to modulate electrical brain activity. As a subset of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), CES uses weaker pulses and is typically applied bilaterally across the cranium via the placement of two small electrodes on the ear lobes or the temporal lobes, safely promoting brain health by gently helping the body produce vital neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and endorphins. CES is a clinically proven innovative technology used for the reduction of anxiety and stress while simultaneously increasing relaxation; improving sleep; alleviating depression; reducing aches, discomforts and cravings; and contributing to cognitive enhancement.
Hannah Opfer
Bio: Hannah Opfer has a Master's of Applied Science in Community Development from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. She has worked in community development for 10 years, focusing primarily on STEAM-focused youth development programming, organizational sustainability planning, and most recently, renewable energy development. Her paths through education and work have always led back to her original passions - space and sustainability, ensuring that space is made accessible to all and for all.
Talk: Sustainable Development - Building Space for Communities
My session will primarily be presentation based, with planned discussions throughout to encourage engagement and collaboration.
Phnam Bagley
Bio: Phnam Bagley is an industrial designer and space architect who designs the future of everything, on and off planet Earth.
She is the co-founder of Nonfiction, a design firm that turns science fiction into reality for a better future.
Some examples of her work include wearables for human health and performance, renewable energy solutions for rural Africa, and space architecture for scientists to work and thrive in space.
All of Phnam’s work supports the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and focuses on create a positive impact for people and the natural world.
Her body of work has been responsible for more than $750M in fundraising, sales and acquisitions.
As an educator, she co-produces Future Future, a video series that demystifies design and the future of everything.
She also teaches creativity and innovation to US generals, police departments and NASA centers.
She is a keynote speaker, sharing her stories and insights on international stages like TED, SXSW, COP and more.
Talk: Designing between Earth and Space
Imagine a future where we can hack our bodies, cure insomnia, make renewable energy available to every human, and feed astronauts on their way to Mars.
By combining great design, science, technology, art, and sustainable business models, we can start shaping a beautiful tomorrow.
With her design firm Nonfiction, Phnam creates the foundations of a better life on and off planet Earth.
Through unexpected design stories, Phnam will walk you through the possibilities of unbound imagination, and what it really takes to turn science fiction into reality.
The audience will leave inspired, enlightened, and with a renewed hope for the future.
Frank White
Bio: Author of The Overview Effect and President of Human Space Program
Frank White’s theory of the Overview Effect has helped provide astronauts with concepts and language to articulate the profound shift in worldview they experience when viewing the Earth from space and in space. Now, much of the world has adopted this framework in describing our innate interconnectedness.
His book, The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution, is considered by many to be a seminal work in the field of space exploration, making him one of the most influential space philosophers of our time.
Frank is a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard College, a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and a Rhodes Scholar. He earned his M.Phil. in Politics from Oxford University.
He has authored or coauthored 14 books on topics ranging from space exploration to climate change. Planetary Collective’s film, “Overview,” based largely on his work, has had nearly 8 million plays on Vimeo.
Frank is co-founder and president of the Human Space Program, a central project to develop a citizen-authored blueprint for conscious space migration and stewardship of the solar ecosystem.
“I hope people will come to understand that space exploration is not about escaping Earth but is about coming to appreciate her more fully.” --Frank White
Talk: We Are the New Astronaut Corps
With the advent of commercial spaceflight, every person on Earth can, in theory, become an astronaut. Yes, it costs a lot of money, but you don’t have to be a unique, almost superhuman, individual to leave the planet and experience the Overview Effect. Perhaps even more important is the fact that, unlike the professional astronauts who went before us, we are going with the intention of staying.
Seen in this way, everything we are doing is part of our training, and this is especially true of the Analog Astronaut community. As Trent Adams pointed out at the 2024 New Worlds conference, analog astronauts spend days, weeks, and months simulating life in a space
habitat. They are leaders among the many space advocacy groups laying the groundwork for Large-Scale Space Migration (LSSM). Like the professionals who precede us, the more we train, the more successful we will be. Thus, we are the “New Astronaut Corps,” but much, much more. We are the harbingers of “Homo Spaciens.”
Donald Jacques
Bio: EarthSeed has been researching Ecological Life Support since 2010. We established a foundation of cycling water for vegetable production, and have been researching, identifying, and implementing additional species into our Mobile Analog Space Habitat since then. At last year's Conference we exhibited just 4 species, occupying 4 niches. We have progressed to the point that this year (2024) we have successfully doubled the species/niches, and are implementing continuous waste processing within the system.
Talk: Ecological Life Support: Developing Continuous Air, Water, Food, and Waste Processing For Long Term Human Habitation Beyond Earth
There are four major components required to support human habitation beyond Earth. The continuous production of Air, Water, Food, and Waste processing. As a part of this, the system needs to provide a variety of both protein and vegetable selections. In addition, there will be needs for construction materials, not to mention a place to "touch nature" amidst the austere frontier and housing we will occupy. We have been developing our Mobile Analog Space Habitat as a functional model that could be implemented at Analogs here on Earth, as well as a prime candidate for off earth habitats. This MASH recently participated in a Mars Desert Research mission, where we had introduced a major species only to find .... come find out what we learned, and how we turned it around to add even more species since, coming closer to our goal of a balanced, harmonious, Closed Ecological Life Support System.
Alvin Harvey
Bio: Shí éí Alvin Harvey yinishyé. Tó baazhni’ázhi nishłį́. Honágháahnii bashishchiin. Biligana dashicheii. Kiyaa’áanii dashinalí. I am Diné, of the Two Who Came To the Water Clan and I am born for the One Walks Around Clan; my maternal grandfather is of German descent and my paternal grandfather is of the Towering House Clan. I am from the Navajo Nation, and currently reside in Cambridge, MA while completing my PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics. My research and development as a Diné man centers relationality as a core structure of developing partnerships, systems, and good ways of being. As a current Ph.D. Candidate in the MIT Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics with a projected thesis defense date of May 2024 my research scholarship centers on Indigenous Research Methodologies and Methods in aerospace engineering to innovate through equity and to organize sustainable Earth and space systems. In addition to technical experience I have gained over the breadth of the field, I have a passion for communicating and bridge-building in this work through presentations, publications, and invitations to diverse space communities. I am enthusiastic and dedicated to acting upon the wide opportunities to build capacity and research with Native American and Indigenous communities as holders of innovative perspectives and new knowledge in sustainability and space systems design.
Talk: Indigenous Space Analogs - Designed and Experienced from and through Indigenous Knowledge Systems
How we simulate, model, and design our future activities on other celestial bodies through astronaut analogs is becoming an exciting area of shared invocation and critical reflection. In the effort to address questions of sustainability and ethics and to broaden analog perspectives and practices, this session presents a conceptual astronaut analog designed and experienced through Indigenous Perspectives conceived through Indigenous Knowledges. This conceptual designing approach will touch upon the ways in which astronaut analogs are constructed and reveal challenging colonial assumptions about the natural space environment. Philosophical, cultural, social, and technical questions, data, and research of such an Indigenous astronaut analog are considered from Indigenous Research Methodologies and Methods and guided by shared Indigenous conceptions of relationality and interdependence.
Matthew Lehmitz
Bio: I'm an experienced analog astronaut and backcountry explorer. I operated robots in the field for my masters degree and am a professional ski instructor among other outdoor experiences and certifications too numerous to list in a paragraph. Currently working on a PhD and interested in expanding field research and methods especially with a focus on space science, biology, technology and human factors
Talk: Getting out of the hab - Analog Ideas for multi-day rolling and rambling on other worlds
Movement and travel are fundamental to all human exploration. Just getting to any space environment involves some of the most distant and difficult travel humans have ever engaged in. When humans went to the moon they walked about and eventually took ground transport vehicles. As with anything else we do or hope to do on other worlds travel from the hab is going to be key. We have seen fair amount of this in short distances. Hiking around HI-Seas, driving ATVs at the MDRS and the like. But these are day trips and relatively short. A valuable next step would be muti-day trips in sim over much longer ground distances. This would be of value both on foot and by vehicle. Solving different social and environmental issues. Finding ways to develop suits that will better allow for long walks and packs. Dealing with logistics and shelter questions and more. This session will discuss some possibilities for what this might look like and the challenges and advantages of such work. What has been done and what has worked or hasn't. Also looking ahead to see next steps in the research. Toward the end we will have a an open discussion to see what interest is out there and what networking or options might be available to get things rolling.
Dr Carmen Köhler
Bio: After training as a hairdresser, Carmen Köhler studied mathematics and obtained a doctorate in physics. As an analog astronaut, she conducts research in Mars-like regions on Earth for future Mars missions. She is also the founder and CEO of P3R GmbH, which specializes in weather and Earth observation data services. Since 2023, Carmen Köhler has also been leading the ARIES team for Artificial Intelligence for Environment and Sustainability at the BC3 - Basque Center for Climate Change.
Talk: Journey to Mars - what we can learn about Sustainability
In her talk, Dr. Carmen Köhler will talk about her non-linear career path, which led her to become an analog astronaut. While conducting Mars simulation missions in Mars like regions on Earth, Carmen gained valuable experience of extreme environments and the challenges they present. A lot of these challenges are posed due to scarcity of resources that we will encounter on or journey and during our future stay on Mars. Thus, she will share the lessons we can learn for a more sustainable life on Earth from life on the unsustainable planet Mars.
Dr Erik Antonsen
Bio: Dr. Erik Antonsen has focused his career at the intersection of medicine and engineering for human spaceflight. He is the CTO of Advancing Frontiers, a consulting company providing spaceflight integration services. Prior to that he worked in many roles across industry, academia, and government. At NASA he was the Element Scientist for Exploration Medical Capabilities in the NASA Human Research Program from 2015-2018 where he led the research element in developing systems medicine approaches to designing medical systems. Following that he was the Assistant Director for Human System Risk Management in the Human Health and Performance Directorate at NASA Johnson Space Center from 2018-2021 where he was responsible for chairing the NASA Human System Risk Board and working with human spaceflight programs to prioritize research and operational investments that protect human health and performance in space. From 2013 to 2024 he was faculty at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston Texas as Associate Professor of Space Medicine and Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, both with tenure. In 2024 he moved his academic work to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA and started lecturing for the AeroAstro Engineering Department at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was a co-founder of ADE Aerospace Consulting and ADE Medical, two companies that provided engineering and medical support to the world record breaking StratEx mission in 2014. His educational background includes BS, MS, and PhD degrees in aerospace engineering and he is a currently practicing emergency medicine physician in Houston, Texas and Boston, MA. He continues to do research developing advanced risk assessment and analysis capabilities for space medicine, AI in medicine, and space health systems design.
Talk: Translational Validity and Evidentiary Utility in Human Spaceflight Analogue Studies.
Dr Claire Nelson
Bio: I am a Futurist, Sustainability Engineer and StoryTeller LEADERSHIP: Convenor - Space Futures Forum; Co-Founder, Caribbean Space Society; Architect, Omni-Africa Space Exploration Analog Simulation (OASEAS) Initiative; SPEAKING: Rapporteur, UNOOSA 2018; ASCEND Diverse Dozen Honoree 2023; NSS, 2023; Speaker, AAC 2022 & 2023; Speaker, Saudi Space Agency Space Debris Conference 2024; Performer/Writer, Moon Runnings - A One Woman Storytelling Show on Life on the Moon. TRAINING: Doctorate in Engineering Management (GWU); Space Leadership Executive Certificate, ASU Thunderbird, 2023
Talk: LEARNING FROM THE FUTURE: SPECULATIVE DESIGN and PROTOTYPING LAB
Analog Missions are meant to help us define a future desired state of life in space. The Learning From the Future LAB will expose participants to principles of speculative design and futures prototyping applied to various technologies, products and systems that could be tested in analog missions. In the lab, participants will be introduced to key concepts in futures scenario thinking and speculative design. In order to demonstrate flexibility of the process, attendees will be allowed choose the situation/research question they want to rehearse from challenges situations such as, health care, solar energy, food production, clothing, space debris cleanup etc. Participants will be led through exercises that utilize tools from futures prototyping to explore the design the desired future. The groups will then present their findings and explore what they learnt in the process and reflect on implications for analog research design.