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.
• Analog Astronaut is a participant of the Analog Mission in the habitat.
• 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 simulated spacewalks.
• Analog Missions help scientists and engineers prepare for real space missions.
• AATC organized 109 Analog Missions with 608 participants from 57 countries all over the world.
• AATC published 182 scientific papers based on the data collected during the missions.
• You can participate regardless of your nationality, background or experience!

About¶

What Is an Analog Mission?¶

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 space exploration without leaving Earth: analog missions. This could be your first step toward becoming a real astronaut.

Analog missions aim to simulate real space missions as closely as possible. Of course, there are limitations, such as microgravity, which cannot be fully replicated on Earth. However, we can focus on other aspects of space missions, including 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 operational strategies for future space exploration. Educational and scientific analog missions offer inspiring alternatives to conventional learning. They serve as incubators for innovation and help accelerate the advancement of technologies through higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs).

Participants can unleash their imagination and creativity. In fact, this is something we have consistently observed at AATC. Analog missions motivate participants to publish in scientific journals and popular science media, providing valuable experience and practical training for careers in the space sector. They also offer unique opportunities for team building, international collaboration, and independent scientific activity.

What Is an Analog Astronaut?¶

It does not matter whether you are a student, a professional, a selected astronaut, or simply someone interested in space exploration. Analog missions are open to anyone who wants to experience the challenges of space exploration and contribute to space research.

Analog astronauts participate in simulations lasting one week or longer, during which scientists, known as Principal Investigators (PIs), conduct research involving human participants. During these missions, crew members live in a habitat designed to mimic the conditions of a space mission.

They perform a variety of tasks, including conducting scientific experiments, maintaining the habitat, and carrying out extravehicular activities (EVAs) in simulated Martian or lunar environments. These missions provide valuable data for researchers while giving participants hands-on experience in the operational, technical, and human aspects of space exploration.

You can read more about how NASA is doing their Analog Missions.

What Is the AATC Habitat?¶

The AATC Habitat is a research facility designed to simulate the conditions of an extraterrestrial environment. It supports time-delayed communications and a fully operational Mission Control Center (MCC), enabling realistic mission simulations. The habitat is used for scientific, educational, and exploratory missions aimed at identifying operational challenges, testing in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technologies, and training future astronauts.

In 2018, AATC established its first habitat, Habitat 1.0, located in southern Poland. Over its operational lifetime, the facility hosted 94 analog missions. As of 2026, Habitat 1.0 has been officially retired and is no longer used for mission activities.

Since 2023, AATC has operated Habitat 2.0, a state-of-the-art research station designed to support advanced analog missions and more realistic extraterrestrial environment simulations.

In 2025, AATC organized Analog Colony, the world's largest analog mission, involving 31 participants. The mission demonstrated that Habitat 2.0 is capable of supporting large crews, complex operational scenarios, and multidisciplinary research activities.

Why Analog Missions at AATC?¶

AATC was established on July 1, 2014, by former ESA professionals. In 2016, our founders organized one of the first privately operated analog missions in Europe. Since then, AATC has conducted more than 109 analog missions involving over 600 participants from around the world. Exact figures are here AATC in Numbers.

Over the years, AATC has become one of the most active and experienced organizations in the fields of analog astronautics and bioastronautics research. Our missions provide a unique platform for scientific investigation, technology testing, operational training, and international collaboration.

Many of our analog astronauts have gone on to pursue successful careers in the space sector. They work as scientists, engineers, Mission Control specialists, and International Space Station flight controllers. Some have even flown to space and become professional astronauts.

Our support does not end when a mission concludes. We assist participants in analyzing mission data and preparing scientific publications based on their research. We also provide guidance on presenting results at conferences, workshops, and other professional events. This helps participants build valuable scientific, technical, and communication skills while contributing to the advancement of space exploration.

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.

What can I do during the analog mission?¶

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.

Prerequisites¶

• Age: 18 years or older
• BMI: Between 18 and 35
• Language: Proficiency in English is required for effective communication during the mission.
• Education: Minimum high school diploma or equivalent
• Medical fitness: Participants must be in good health - there is no possibility to provide medical support during the mission, so participants must be able to handle any medical issues on their own.
• No dietary restrictions: Participants must be able to consume the food provided during the mission and agreed by the bioethical committee.
• Psychological fitness: Participants must be able to handle isolation, confinement and stress associated with space missions.
• Training: Participants must complete pre-mission training provided by AATC.
• Commitment: Participants must be willing to commit to the entire duration of the mission and follow all rules and protocols established by AATC.
• Traveling: Depending on your nationality, you may need to get a VISA or ESTA to enter European Union and Poland (more information here.

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:

Pay¶

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 an 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@aatc.pl

Terms of Service¶

Date¶

All missions start in the 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.

Contact¶

If you have any questions, please email us at: info@aatc.pl

Apply¶