Right now, nine student analog astronauts from around the world are taking on a full-scale analog mission in the heart of the Swiss Alps. As part of the 5th student-led Asclepios mission, they’re living inside the Sasso San Gottardo fortress—a centuries-old bunker whose long stone tunnels double as lunar lava tubes. 🌕
In this underground labyrinth, the crew faces isolation, simulated habitat systems, and daily scientific experiments. From testing life-support modules to analyzing 'moon rock' samples, each task is a rehearsal for the challenges of living on the lunar surface.
"Collecting regolith samples in these dark corridors feels like real Moon missions," says one crew member over the radio. "It’s exhilarating and a bit spooky!" 🛰️
Over the next two weeks, the analog astronauts will perform emergency drills, run physics experiments, and troubleshoot equipment malfunctions—preparing them for scenarios that could unfold on the Moon or even Mars.
Analogs like Asclepios 5 are vital training grounds. By simulating extreme environments here on Earth, future scientists and engineers gain the skills and resilience needed for humanity’s next giant leap into space. After all, the Moon is just the first stop. 🚀
Reference(s):
RAZOR: The analog mission training the astronauts of tomorrow
cgtn.com
