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Mini Study (MS Research) enables low-overhead research conducted in a simple, standardized way. The aim is to minimize operational disruption during implementation while providing a cost-effective framework for proof-of-concept testing, pilot studies, and statistical data collection.

MS Research uses streamlined methodologies and is well suited for studies conducted under standard simulation conditions, where no modifications to the habitat infrastructure are required. Typical applications include research on team dynamics, usability testing of procedures, interfaces or tools, early-stage studies supporting grant proposals or larger projects, as well as testing of software or non-invasive technologies. It is also suitable for survey-based, diary, or self-reporting studies, and research involving short, recurring tasks with minimal setup and cleanup.

MS Research includes basic operational support, such as coordination of study implementation, oversight during mission execution, and brief reporting after completion. Studies are conducted using the existing habitat infrastructure without modifications, and research activities are designed to require limited crew time in order to fit within the standard mission schedule.

Expanded Study (ES Research) is a mid-tier research option for studies that require greater operational support and higher mission priority than a Mini Study. It provides extended crew time for research activities, guaranteed placement in the mission schedule, and earlier integration into mission planning to ensure smooth implementation.

Each Expanded Study includes a designated on-board study coordinator, a trained crew member responsible for supporting protocol execution and monitoring the study during the mission. Researchers may also receive access to extended LunAres mission data, such as operational logs, environmental measurements, or selected crew activity records relevant to the study.

ES Research allows limited, reversible adaptations to the habitat infrastructure, such as temporary installation of sensors, monitoring devices, or experimental equipment that does not permanently modify the facility.

This research format is particularly suitable for longitudinal studies requiring repeated measurements during the mission, investigations of human physiology, health, performance, workload, stress, recovery, and adaptation, as well as studies combining multiple data streams or evaluating mission systems, tools, or procedures over time. Some projects may also include limited pre-mission interaction with the crew, such as baseline measurements or training related to the study protocol.

ES Research includes extended operational support during mission preparation and execution, broader use of available infrastructure within operational limits, and larger time allocations within the crew schedule to accommodate more complex research procedures.

Prime Study (PS Research) is the highest-priority research format at LunAres and allows full integration of a study into the mission architecture in close collaboration with the LunAres team. Only one Prime Study can be conducted per mission, ensuring that the mission structure can be optimized around the research objectives.

In this format, the research team works with LunAres to co-design key elements of the mission, including aspects of the simulation scenario, operational procedures, and research schedule. The mission duration, preflight and postflight activities, and selected operational protocols may be adapted to support the study requirements. Researchers may also participate in defining crew selection criteria to ensure that participant characteristics align with the study design.

Prime Studies allow the development of custom mission simulation protocols, such as defining the simulated scenario (e.g., lunar, Martian, space station, or deep-space mission), communication delay structures, artificial daylight cycles, resource management strategies, or EVA simulation programs. Infrastructure and environmental conditions may also be adapted, for example by installing dedicated experimental equipment, adjusting habitat configurations, or modifying indoor environmental parameters when required for the study.

This research format is particularly suitable for mission-scale research programs, including end-to-end mission simulation studies, human physiology and biomedical research requiring continuous multi-parameter monitoring, integrated human–system interaction studies, long-duration isolation and confinement experiments, or EVA operations research. It also supports large interdisciplinary projects or institutional, agency, or industry-sponsored studies requiring high data completeness and minimized execution risk.

Prime Studies may also provide access to the full LunAres mission data set, when relevant to the research design, and enable collaboration with the LunAres team on grant proposals or mission funding applications related to the study. All mission adaptations are planned jointly with the LunAres team to ensure feasibility and alignment with operational experience.

Preliminary Study (PRE Research) enables low-overhead exploratory research conducted in a simple, standardized way. Like Mini Study (MS Research), it is designed to minimize operational disruption and supports feasibility checks, pilot testing, or proof-of-concept activities before a full research project. It can be ideal as preliminary data collection for grant writing.

PRE Research is conducted free of costs and can be implemented only once per project or research team. It is typically used as part of grant preparation or collaborative research planning with LunAres Research Station, allowing researchers to test methods, procedures, or instruments before larger-scale data collection.

Crew Member Study (CMS Research) allows researchers participating as crew members to conduct their own study during a LunAres mission. The study must be consulted with and approved by the LunAres team before the mission, ensuring that the protocol is compatible with operational procedures and crew workload.

CMS Research follows similar operational limitations to Expanded Studies, meaning that research activities must fit within mission constraints and standard safety requirements. The study is implemented primarily by the crew member conducting the research, who is responsible for executing the protocol and monitoring data collection during the mission.

This format is particularly suitable for researchers who need to be physically present to carry out or supervise the study, such as experiments requiring direct observation, manual measurements, or active management of equipment and procedures. It is often used by crew members sponsored by their institutions, enabling them to integrate their own research objectives with their participation in the mission.