This team is composed of the nine members of the astronaut crew. The crew will perform an analogue space mission in all its components: training and thorough preparation; maintain and perform repairs of their base if needed; conduct scientific experiments and communicate with the ground team of the MCC as would a regular astronaut crew. The astronauts have been drafted from students all around the globe whose level of study ranges from bachelor to PhD.
Elena López-Contreras
- 23
- Spanish
- MSc in Aerospace Engineering from ISAE-SUPAERO
- BSc in Aerospace Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia
- BSc in Business Administration from the Open University of Catalonia
- PADI Rescue Diver
- Skydiving
- Piano studies
- Open Water Swimming
The role of an analog astronaut entails two things: First of all, analog astronauts are the guinea pigs for astronauts. They’re in charge of testing all the current technology and ensuring that it is safe for astronauts to use. Furthermore, analog astronauts can also help researchers understand how long periods of isolation affect the human mind and body. Secondly, analog astronauts are usually the ambassadors of their mission. Therefore, analog astronauts, much as real astronauts are, must be science and technology communicators and engage with the community. To do so, they must be comfortable when in front of a camera.
Professional:
- Intern at the European Space Agency (ESA)/European Astronaut Center (EAC), within the SpaceshipEAC team in Cologne, Germany.
- Research Assistant at the Neuroergonomics department at ISAE-SUPAERO in Toulouse, France.
- Project Management Intern at Rolls-Royce in Derby, UK.
Volunteer:
- Analog Astronaut at the Mars Desert Research Station with Crew 263 sponsored by ISAE-SUPAERO
- Participant in the Alpbach and Post-Alpbach Summer School, ESA’s Ladybird’s Guide to Spacecraft Operations, and IRS’s Space Station Design Workshop.
- Member of Cosmic Research (Catalonia’s Rocketry Team)
Katie Mulry
- 20
- United States of America
- current BSc in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin
- liquid rocket engine testing
- hypergolic and cryogenic system operation
- fluid system design and fabrication
- creative fiction writing
What is the future? Not just what will it be, but what is it right now that our generation and world stands, constantly, on the precipice of? Each moment that the clock ticks propels us forward second by second. The future is not some broad, abstract concept: it is here, right now, and each of us is constantly choosing to shape what it will become. Across the world right now, rockets, satellites, bases, and missions are being designed, developed, and launched with a cadence that the world has never seen. In the immediate future, we get to decide what that broad, distant future will look like, and what an honor it is for all of us to be here, right where it feels that it is all beginning, building on the contributions and failures and successes of those who have gone before us. Being an analog astronaut, participating in this mission and training to prepare not just our crew, but the spaceflight industry itself, is creating a sustainable future where humans are working and living in space. A future where people are settling on Mars and the Moon. A future where nations can come together for all of humanity in the way that the space industry does so beautifully. We get to shape what that becomes, right here and now, and I can’t imagine a bigger dream than this: to be a part of the beginning of humanity’s journey out to the stars.
Professional:
- Intern at Blue Origin in Propulsion Test Engineering for the BE-4 Engine
- Intern at AGILE Space Industries in Propulsion Test Engineering for hypergolic satellite thrusters
Volunteer:
- Stage Test Co-Lead and Propulsion Test Engineer at the Texas Rocket Engineering Lab (the University of Texas at Austin’s student rocket lab)
- Cofounder of the International Organization of Aspiring Astronauts
- Student Ambassador with Back to Space LLC
- Head of space domain, Aeropoly
Somaya Bennani
- 21
- Moroccan
- Ongoing Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
- Horse Riding
- Video Editing
- Chess
- Piano
“I believe that space analog missions like Asclepios play an essential role for space exploration. By simulating extraterrestrial missions on Earth, and collecting relevant socio-psychological data, they prepare humankind for future outer space expeditions. Also, this experience can be seen as a personal challenge, to test our limits and discover ourselves. We, as future engineers and scientists, have the responsibility to always reach for the stars, to seek to inspire the younger generations and try to push scientific research beyond its limits. Atlas crew let us dare to shoot for the moon and beyond!”
Professional:
- Winner of ‘Race2space’ scholarship, astronauts training in the US space and Rocket center in Huntsville, Alabama. Successfully completed the Aviation challenge.
- Winner of CERN s’cool Lab scholarship, worked on particle physics and standard model projects supervised by CERN’s engineers and scientists. Helped develop the ‘UXC55 Inspection Robot’ at Idea Square.
- Logistics officer in the ‘Asclepios I’ mission. ‘Flight plan’ in the mission control center of Asclepios I.
Volunteer:
- TEDxEcublens Speaker relations coordinator for the 2020/2021 edition.
- Worked as a counselor for the ‘WiSci girl up camp’ a STEAM program organised by the United Nations Foundation for girls coming from underprivileged countries.
Roman Pohorsky
- 32
- Swiss
- Ongoing: PhD in atmospheric chemistry – Study of the vertical distribution of aerosols and trace gases in the planetary boundary layer in Alpine and Polar regions
- MSc in Climate Sciences – specialization in atmospheric sciences
- BSc in Kinesiology and Environmental Sciences
- Outdoor activities (Mountaineering, Paragliding, Scuba Diving)
- Self taught micro-electronics
- Space exploration
With current political and social challenges our society is facing, one may ask why so much effort is being put in space exploration. However, space exploration is one of the best example to illustrate what humankind is able to achieve when working together towards a common goal. It sets an example to all nations that our planet knows no border and that we all live on the same boat. Space exploration is driven by our need to understand the universe we live in and keep discovering but at the same time, it helped us realize that no other reachable world could replace our Earth and that we must therefore do everything in our power to preserve it.
Professional:
- Atmospheric vertical measurement campaigns in Swiss Alps and Polar regions
- 2018-2019: Secondary school teacher (Natural sciences, geography, french)
- 2016: Organization of 2nd European Hail workshop in Bern, Switzerland
Volunteer:
Felix von Horstig
- 25
- German
- Ongoing: PhD in Physics and Materials Sciences at the University of Cambridge, since 2020
- MRes in nanoscience, University of Cambridge, 2019-20
- MSci in Natural Sciences (Physics and Materials Chemistry)
- University College London, 2015-19
- Handball
- Sailing
- Cooking
Space, the final frontier, poses one of the most exciting and challenging opportunities to humanity and our generation is in a unique position to explore the solar system like never before!
The day the first person settles onto the Moon or even Mars will be this century’s equivalent of Niel Armstrong taking “one giant leap for mankind” and will inspire a new generation of scientists, leaders and engineers. It will truly start the era of space exploration by making us a multi-planetary civilisation. I can think of no greater life goal of getting us there!
Professional:
- Scientific research in quantum physics, materials science, electrical engineering, biophysics, electrochemistry and photocatalysis
- Research internships at University College London and Seoul National University
- Engineering internship at Continental prototyping lab in Hanover, Germany
- Tutoring school and university students ranging from GCSE to undergraduate level
Volunteer:
- Secondary school teacher in Guyana
- Ex-president of UCL Handball club
Tatiana Lopez
- 22
- Canadian / Chilean
- Aerospace Engineering Student at the University of Concepcion Chile
- Water Survival Training
- Arts (Woodwork, Instruments, Painting)
- Sports (Basketball, Horseback riding, swimming)
I feel moved, and at the same time, can identify with Ruben Dario´s words in his famous poem “To Margarita Debayle” that says:
“But, alas, our little one went far
across the sea, beneath the sky,
and all to cut the one white star
that saw her wondering and sigh.
She went beyond where the heavens are
and to the moon said, au revoir.”
… as I, too, am in search of that one white star, beyond the heavens, where I will one day say “au revoir” to the moon, so that I may share it with all.
Professional:
- SRocket Propulsion Team University of Concepcion
- Public Speaker
- Engineering design tutor
Volunteer:
- Mentor for PROVOCA (AUI/ NRAO)
- Volunteer in multiple social action activities (working with children, elderly and migrants)
- Youth Counselor
Joshua Bernard-Cooper
- 23
- British
- MSc in Astronautics and Space Engineering, Cranfield University (2021-2022)
- BSc in Physics and Philosophy, University of St Andrews (20170-2021)
- Interactive Space Program 2020 (ISP20) with ESA scholarship, International Space University (ISU)
- Amateur Radio
- Graphic Design and Video Editing
- Boxing
- Weightlifting
Space is the domain of our next greatest advances in science and technology, and by virtue a means through which many issues we face on Earth can be addressed. Although much progress has been made via uncrewed methods, humans working in space present one of the most effective ways to achieve our next steps. The versatility of crewed missions for realising scientific objectives can’t be overlooked; the autonomy of astronauts to adapt to many possible mission scenarios is a great motivator for solving the challenges presented by human spaceflight. Analogue missions like Asclepios address this, providing a realistic testbed for the space technology and research of tomorrow and familiarising us with the difficulties that crewed missions will face.
Professional:
- Oracle-1 Satellite Engineer; Asteria
- Intern, Research Assistant; International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC), 2019-2021
Volunteer:
- Events and Projects Team Lead; UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (UKSEDS)
- Vice-President; Cranfield Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (CranSEDS), 2021-2022
- Open Cosmos Ambassador; Space Generation Advisory Council
- Founder and President; University of St Andrews Engineering and Aerospace Society (EASy), 2020-2021
Zaria Serfontein
- 28
- Irish / South African
- PhD in Aerospace, Cranfield University, UK (2019-2022)
- MSc In Astronautics and Space Engineering, Cranfield University, UK (2017-2018)
- BEng in Aeronautical Engineering, University of Limerick, Ireland (2011-2015)
- Outdoor sports (windsurfing, mountain biking, kayaking, parkour)
- Photography (in particular wildlife photography)
- Video games (console pleb)
Being an astronaut is limitless; an utterly unique combination of being an engineer, a scientist, an operator, an ambassador, a life-science experiment subject, a photographer, and much more. I want to be part of our expansion into the cosmos, at the forefront of discovery and new technology, using these advancements to continue to improve the lives of people on Earth.
Asclepios will aid in the preparation of humanity’s next chapter. Not only will this highlight the challenges associated with venturing off-world, but it is an excellent opportunity to continue advocating for sustainable space and more diverse representation in the sector.
Professional:
- LEOniDAS team lead taking part in ESA’s Fly Your Thesis! parabolic flight campaign (2021)
- Co-founder and space systems engineer of Frontier Space Technologies (2021)
- Research Assistant on a UK Space Agency Pathfinder research project to evaluate and improve the performance of the University’s drag sails (2019)
Volunteer:
- Vice-chair of UKSEDS; UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (2021)
- Space4Climate Champion, including representation at COP26 (2021)
- Kayaking Instructor and Mountain Biking Trail Cycle Leader (2016 – present)
Julia Pürstl
- 26
- Austrian
- PhD in Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge (2018 – present)
- MPhil in Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge (2017-2018)
- MSc in Mechanical Engineering, TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) (2016 – 2017, transferred to MPhil in Materials Science and Metallurgy, UCam)
- BSc in Chemical and Process Engineering, TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) (2013-2016)
- Handball
- Rowing
- Artistic gymnastics
Space exploration is one of the most ground-breaking fields in the engineering sciences. The research conducted, be it on technological design, sustainability, biological systems, or the extraction of samples from other celestial bodies, provides unparalleled resources that advance fundamental scientific understanding and offer innovation in fields that are increasingly demanding also on Earth.
As an analogue astronaut, one has the incredible opportunity to apply one’s physical and mental skills to not only help test the concepts that will be needed in the future of space exploration, but also to promote its wider understanding in the public. Eventually, we are working together to advance life – on Earth and beyond.
Professional:
- Doctoral Researcher in Aerospace Materials development, University of Cambridge
- Teaching Assistant in Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge
- Process Engineering Intern for Plant Design, OMV
Volunteer:
- Outreach Science Associate for school communication, Selwyn College, University of Cambridge
- Industry Commercialisation Strategy Researcher, i-Teams, University of Cambridge
- Competitive Trainer of Artistic Gymnastics Junior Teams, TSV Eiche Neumarkt, Austria