This call for projects aims to enable space-related projects and experiments to be integrated into the Asclepios V lunar analogue mission. Key research areas include life sciences, space habitat engineering, robotics, astronomy, and lunar operations.
This call includes several potential testing platforms, including extreme alpine environments, zero-gravity flight, and the analogue mission itself. These regimes will be detailed below.
The mission
The analogue mission Asclepios V, launching in summer 2025, will simulate life on a lunar base. Nine students have been selected as crewmembers and will go through extensive training to master the successful execution of the selected projects and experiments. The mission will take place inside a simulated lunar base in the mountains of Switzerland. The astronauts will spend about two weeks in isolation and without sunlight. They will be authorised to leave the space base only during simulated extravehicular activities (EVAs) which will occur in tunnels within the mountain as well as outside after dark. The exact location of the mission will be announced no later than December 2024.
This year, we are opening our Call for Projects to include testing within the astronauts’ extreme environment training, zero-gravity flight training, and within the Mission Control Centre.
On which criteria are projects selected?
Selection criteria include feasibility, scientific value, coherence with the mission topics, economical and ethical considerations, the complexity of operations and logistics. The sought out projects generate valuable scientific output and contribute to space exploration and sustainability
Does your project need ethical approval?
If your project is related to Space Biomedicine, it is likely that it requires ethical approval. All research involving human participants and/or human tissue requires ethical approval. When assessing the proposals, we will only consider projects with existing ethical approval or on the way of getting one, if needed. On the other hand, if your project does not require ethical approval please state why it does not need approval.
Here is a useful reference document with guidelines and information regarding the process of getting an ethical approval in Switzerland: “PI support guidelines for Ethics” (Download here).
How to apply?
The selection of the projects and experiments will consist of two rounds of evaluation. In Phase A, all interested candidates must fill out the Google form by the 17th of November 2024, 23:59 CET.
The candidates that have successfully been pre-selected will be notified on the 8th of December 2024 and will subsequently advance into Phase B, where they will be required to submit a full proposal by the 12th of January 2025, 23:59 CET.
The full proposal includes proof of ethical approval or proof that the project does not need ethical approval. Other requirements and details for the full proposal will be communicated to the principal investigators that advance to Phase B.
Please note that applications submitted after the deadline or via other means than the application form will not be considered. Keep in mind also that we only offer limited funding since we are a non-profit student association with a small budget. Our goal is to be a platform for researchers and companies to test their space-related projects and experiments.
For more information, please contact asclepios.sc@gmail.com.