Analog Mission¶

• Analog Mission is a space mission simulation lasting one or two weeks
• Habitat is a research facility which tries to simulate space station environment
• Participant of the Analog Mission is called an Analog Astronaut
• Analog Astronauts try to live and work in the habitat as real astronauts would do in space
• They participate in scientific experiments, maintain the habitat, and perform spacewalks
• Analog Missions help scientists and engineers prepare for real space missions
• You can participate in Analog Missions organized by AATC

About Analog Missions¶

We all dream of going to space, but not everyone can make it. Space travel is expensive, risky, and requires extensive training. However, there is a way to experience the space exploration without leaving Earth - analog missions and this could be your first step towards becoming a real astronaut!

Analog Missions try to simulate real space missions as closely as possible. Of course, there are limitations, such as microgravity which we cannot replicate on Earth. However, we can focus on other aspects of space missions, such as isolation, confinement, communication delays, and limited resources.

Analog missions are also a great way to contribute to space research without leaving the planet. By participating in these missions, you can help scientists and engineers develop new technologies and strategies for future space missions. Educational and scientific missions are inspiring alternatives to conventional learning. These missions act as incubators for innovative science, and accelerators in Technology Readiness Levels (TRL).

Participants can unleash their imagination and creativity. Actually this is something what we observed at AATC. Analog missions motivate participants to write publications in relevant scientific journals and popular science media, providing valuable experience and training dedicated to working in the space sector. They are unique for team-building, with independent access and international activity.

What is an Analog Astronaut?¶

It doesn't matter if you are a student, a professional, selected astronaut or just someone who is interested in space exploration. Analog missions are open to everyone who wants to experience the thrill of space exploration and contribute to space research.

Analog astronauts participate in one-week or longer simulations where scientist (Primary Investigators) conduct research on or with human subjects. During that time they live in a habitat that mimics the conditions of space missions. They perform various tasks, such as conducting experiments, maintaining the habitat, and performing extravehicular activities (EVA) in a simulated Martian or lunar environment.

The AATC Habitat¶

The habitat is a research facility which allows to simulate an extraterrestrial environment with time-delayed communication and full Mission Control Center (MCC) support. It is being used for organizing scientific, educational, and exploratory missions to identify problems, test in-situ resource utilization technologies, and train future astronauts.

In 2018, AATC created its own habitat. The facility called Habitat 1.0 and was located in the southern part of Poland. We organized 94 analog missions in the Habitat 1.0. As of 2026, the Habitat 1.0 is officially retired and is no longer used for analog missions.

Since 2023 we operate the new Habitat 2.0, which is a state-of-the-art research station designed to simulate extraterrestrial environments. In 2025, AATC organized the Analog Colony which was the world-biggest analog mission with 31 participants. It proved that Habitat 2.0 can support large crews and complex mission scenarios.

Why Analog Missions at AATC?¶

AATC was established by former ESA professionals on July 1st, 2014. In 2016 our founders organized the first analog mission in Europe. Since then, AATC conducted over 105 analog missions with more than 650 participants from all over the world. This makes us one of the most experienced organizations in the field of analog astronautics and bioastronautics research leaving behind space agencies such as NASA, ESA, CNSA and Roscosmos.

Most of our trained analog astronauts continue their careers in the space sector. They work as scientist, engineers, International Space Station flight controllers and they even flown to space and become real astronauts!

Our support doesn't end with the mission itself. We help our analog astronauts to write scientific publications based on the data collected during the mission. We also provide guidance on how to present their findings at conferences and workshops.

What is the difference between AATC and other analogs?¶

• We have bioethical committee approval for human subject research
• We have extensive experience in organizing analog missions (105+ missions with 650+ participants)
• We have a dedicated Mission Control Center (MCC) with experienced staff supporting the analog astronauts 24/7 during the mission
• We provide pre-mission training both online and in-person
• We have a state-of-the-art habitat (Habitat 2.0) with advanced environmental control and monitoring systems
• Standardized physiological and psychological data collection enabling statistical analysis
• Standardized emergency simulations
• Elevated levels of carbon dioxide, altered lighting systems, and acoustic impressions
• Professional laboratory equipment to run non-invasive physiological and psychological health monitoring
• Personal coaching and advanced training with the possibility to develop after the mission experience

The AATC Habitat is equipped with advanced scientific equipment and environmental monitoring. Thanks to the world's unique HabitatOS (TRL level 5) operating system, participants can immerse themselves in a full-fledged simulation using Artificial Intelligence support in everyday tasks.

Science at Our Research Station¶

With bioethical committee approval, research subjects are voluntarily and continuously monitored. Observed parameters include medical, psychological, and team dynamics. A full investigation of activities, interactions, food nutrition intake, sleep-work patterns, and waste products helps analyze the needs for further investigations of Moon/Mars missions. In the habitat, analog astronauts experiment with 3D Printing and In-Situ Resource Utilization, using components such as soil, minerals, and rocks collected during EVA.

Current research in our habitat:

• Sociodynamics, team-dynamics, psychology research
• Light influence on circadian rhythms research
• Telerobotics research
• Telemedicine research
• Virtual reality enhanced astronaut training research
• Astrobiology research
• Neuropsychology research
• Food nutrition and intake control research
• Biomimetics and bio-inspired engineering techniques research
• Material sciences, 3D-printing, and material outgassing in vacuum research
• Chemical and geological rock outcrop analysis research
• EVA procedures for human-robotic interaction and habitat maintenance research
• Human subject medical research
• Mission operations and effective communications Astronauts-MCC research
• Water and waste management research
• Eatable plants grow research
• Sensors and environmental control monitoring research

A unique feature of the habitat is complete isolation from sunlight and time. The base is fully monitored and equipped with hundreds of smart sensors, combined with the dedicated operational system - HabitatOS. The Mission Control Center (MCC) can remotely control the habitat and its environment.

Calendar¶

Organization¶

All missions start on Saturday morning (10:00 A.M.) with a crew meeting and briefing. Each mission ends on Sunday, 7 days later, with a crew debriefing and a mission summary.

Timeline¶

After paying the registration fee, your spot on the mission is secured. Then you can plan your trip (buy plane tickets, book hotel for a day before/after, etc.)

We will contact you 28 days before the mission and invite you to the introductory webinar, where all the preparation details will be mentioned. During the next few days, you will be asked to submit your bio, photo, and experiment details. If you don't have your own experiment, we will assign you to one of ours.

Here, you will learn more about the habitat, experiments, and participate in team-building exercises. Soon after, we will depart for the habitat, which is approximately 90 minutes away from AATC's office. In the habitat, you will be introduced to scientific equipment and all the safety protocols. You will be assigned a role during the mission. This is the last moment before the mission. You will sleep that night in the habitat. Your mission will start on the very next day as soon as you and your team wake up.

After the mission, you will return to the AATC office in Cracow at 15:00 (Europe/Warsaw time). Return time is subject to change due to traffic or other unforeseen circumstances. Please plan your return flight accordingly.

For the next few days, we will work with you to analyze the data. After two weeks, we will have a mission conclusion webinar with a presentation of the results.

Frequently Asked Questions¶

Application:

Travel:

Mission:

Experiments:

Payment¶

The total mission cost is 800 EUR, and you have two options for payment:

1. You can pay the full amount upfront by selecting the 800 EUR option in the pricing table below.

2. Alternatively, you can choose a two-installment payment plan:

   • Pay 300 EUR as a registration fee now.
   • Pay the remaining 500 EUR 7 days before the mission starts.

Upon successful payment of the registration fee (300 EUR) or full payment (800 EUR), your spot on the mission is guaranteed! As soon as you receive a payment confirmation via email, you can arrange your travel itinerary. We will contact you a month before the mission with mission pretraining.

If you need more information, email us at info@astronaut.center

Refund Policy¶

What if I don't get a visa?¶

If you don't get a visa to Poland, we will refund the full amount (both registration and participation fees) upon presenting a valid visa rejection document from the Polish consulate or embassy.

We understand that visa processes can be unpredictable, and we want to ensure that you are not financially burdened in such cases.

This exception applies only if you applied for a visa in a timely manner, allowing sufficient time for processing before the mission date (at least 30 days before mission start).

Change Policy¶

1. You can change your mission date up to 30 days before the mission start date without any additional fees, subject to availability.

2. Changes made between 7 and 30 days before the mission start date will incur a change fee of 50 EUR, subject to availability.

3. Changes made less than 7 days before the mission start date will incur a change fee of 100 EUR, subject to availability.

Cancellation Policy¶

1. Registration fee (300 EUR) is non-refundable.

2. Cancellations made more than 30 days before the mission start date will receive a full refund participation fee (500 EUR).

3. Cancellations made between 7 and 30 days before the mission start date will receive a 50% refund of the participation fee (250 EUR).

4. Cancellations made less than 7 days before the mission start date will not receive a refund of the participation fee (500 EUR).

Please note that the registration fee is non-refundable due to the cost of consumables, preparation of legal documents and other materials (suit, logo, embroidery) that we need to invest in order for the mission to happen. In case of a no-show or cancellation, we will not be able to use it for anyone else.

Example:

• You paid full 800 EUR upfront. You cancel 40 days before the mission. You will receive a refund of 500 EUR (full participation fee).

• You paid only 300 EUR registration fee. You cancel 40 days before the mission. You will not receive any refund (registration fee is non-refundable).

• You paid registration fee of 300 EUR and later participation fee of 500 EUR (total 800 EUR). You cancel 20 days before the mission. You will receive a refund of 250 EUR (50% of participation fee). The registration fee (300 EUR) is non-refundable.

• You paid registration fee of 300 EUR and later participation fee of 500 EUR (total 800 EUR). You cancel 5 days before the mission. You will not receive any refund (both registration and participation fees are non-refundable).

• You paid registration fee of 300 EUR and later participation fee of 500 EUR (total 800 EUR). You applied for a visa but got rejected. You present a valid visa rejection document from the Polish consulate or embassy. You will receive a full refund of 800 EUR (both registration and participation fees).

• You paid registration fee of 300 EUR and later participation fee of 500 EUR (total 800 EUR). You did not apply for a visa in a timely manner, and now you cannot get one before the mission date. You will not receive any refund (both registration and participation fees are non-refundable). However you can change your mission date according to the Change Policy above.

Application¶