AsclepiosAnalog space mission
Back the next student mission to the Moon
Asclepios creates analog missions designed by students for students, under the mentorship of trained professionals. Every year a crew of nine is selected, trained for nine months and sealed inside a simulated lunar base for two weeks, supported around the clock by a student-run Mission Control Centre.
As a Swiss non-profit, we rely on partners to make each mission happen. In return we offer visibility, a scientific testbed and a direct line to the next generation of space professionals.
Three things a partnership gives you
Meet the next generation of space professionals
Asclepios only recruits students. Our crew selection is modelled on ESA and NASA, and our alumni now work in the space sector.
- 400+applications for the nine Asclepios VII astronaut seats
- 45+students trained as analogue astronauts
- ESAalumni include ISS Columbus flight controllers and an ESA doctor at Concordia, Antarctica
Test your prototype in a real mission setting
Laboratories and companies use our mission, training and zero-g flights to test prototypes and run experiments for the Moon, Mars and beyond.
- 80+experiments hosted across all our testbeds
- 14experiments in Asclepios VI, from 10 universities in 7 countries
- 6papers presented at the 76th International Astronautical Congress
Be seen wherever the mission is covered
Asclepios has been covered from Switzerland to Italy, the USA and Chile, on SRF, RSI and the BBC, and in feature documentaries.
- 4feature-length documentaries, released or in production
- 17television broadcasts about the project
- 8languages: EN, FR, DE, ES, IT, CA, SK, PT
What your support pays for
Our sponsors cover most of the expenses, from astronaut training to mission supplies, food and equipment. These are the core costs of running a single Asclepios mission, in the order they come up during the year.
Items marked in kind are ones partners have covered with goods or services instead of cash.
- Asclepios Lab projectsSpacesuits, base structures and life-support prototypes built by students
- Extreme environment trainingin kindEquipment, food and expert guides for the winter expedition
- Dress rehearsalMaterials and accommodation for the 24-hour simulation
- The lunar baseRent of the site that hosts the two-week simulation
- Freeze-dried foodin kindAstronaut meals for the full mission
- Mission Control accommodationHousing for the operators who run Mission Control around the clock
- Transportin kindVehicle rental, fuel and logistics to bring the team and equipment to the base
Six levels, from a first contribution to a mission name
Every level can be reached with a financial donation, services or in-kind support, in CHF or euros. Choose a level to see what it includes.
Platinum and above need a minimum share in cash: 20% for Platinum, 30% for Diamond and 50% for Title. Silver and Gold logos go on the back of the teamwear; Platinum and above on the front.
Read the full sponsor brochurePDF · 24 pages · 4.8 MBFour ways partners worked with Asclepios VI
Equip the crew
Clothing, technical gear, freeze-dried food and transport are some of our largest costs, and they can be given in kind.
Train the astronauts
Our nine-month curriculum is built on real astronaut training: survival, firefighting, emergency medicine and microgravity.
Test your technology
Our Call for Projects is open to companies, research institutes and space agencies. A science officer supports each experiment from training to results.
Host or teach
Universities, venues and institutions can host projects, events or courses, and work with our student labs at EPFL and TUM.
When your support is seen
Asclepios VII flies in summer 2027. The calendar below follows the Asclepios VI year, which had the same shape.
- November
Integration weekend
The new team meets in person for training and talks.
Logo on banner and team presentations - March
Extreme environment training
A winter expedition: igloos, pulkas and nights in the snow.
Partner gear worn in photos and film - April
Dress rehearsal
A 24-hour simulation of the mission with the whole team.
Content shot for partner social media - July
Open day and launch
About 100 registered visitors, covered on Swiss national news.
Product display and logo on the launch rocket - July
14-day mission
Two crews, a 24/7 Mission Control and visits from SRF and Schweizer Illustrierte.
Logo on teamwear, in videos and the documentary - September
Report and congress
Results published in the mission report and presented at the IAC.
Thanked by level in the mission report
The partners who made Asclepios VI possible
More than 40 private donors also supported the mission. Thank you to every one of them.
Interested in a sponsorship or collaboration?
Write to the team inbox and we will reply with the Asclepios VII mission plan. Our Executive Officers’ direct contacts are in the sponsor brochure.
asclepios.main@gmail.com
