How does NASA help prepare for astronauts to remain in isolation and confinement for long-duration space flight to Mars?  Enter SIRIUS-21 – an 8 month analogue mission that will conduct physiological and psychological experiments with an international crew from the US, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.  The Scientific International Research in Unique Terrestrial Station (SIRIUS) project will use virtual reality in an environment of sensory deprivation and limited resources; the team will live just like astronauts while performing a number of behavioral and performance experiments.

Aerospace’s Paul Frakes talks to Ashley Kowalski about her mission’s 70+ experiments that include cognitive, physical and biological tests – and a bit of her own soul searching as she gets ready to embark on this simulated journey from right here on earth. 

The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community.
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