Prime study - Build the mission around your research
Prime Study (PS Research) is LunAres’ highest level of research integration, designed for projects that require substantial customization of the mission architecture, operational procedures, crew selection, infrastructure, or simulation conditions.
Rather than adapting a research project to an existing mission structure, Prime Study allows the mission itself to be designed in close collaboration with the research team.
Because Prime Studies can involve significant changes to the mission and require detailed planning, we recommend starting with a Research Consultation Form rather than submitting a full proposal immediately.
Start with a consultation
Prime Studies are complex and highly individual. Before requesting a detailed proposal, we first need to understand the research objectives, expected outcomes, and general scope of the project.
At this stage, you do not need to provide a complete research protocol.
After reviewing the initial concept, the LunAres team may propose a consultation call to discuss the project in more detail.
Start with the Research Consultation Form.
Prime Study – THE MISSION ADAPTS TO YOUR RESEARCH
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.
- Full mission integration – Research requirements can be incorporated into the design of the mission, including the mission schedule, operational procedures, simulation scenario, crew responsibilities, and research activities.
Customized mission architecture – Where scientifically and operationally justified, elements of the mission architecture can be adapted to support the research objectives. This may include changes to the mission duration, operational structure, crew activities, communication procedures, resource management, or other mission-level parameters.
Crew selection – Researchers may participate in defining research-relevant crew selection criteria where participant characteristics are important to the study design. Final crew selection remains subject to LunAres operational, safety, and mission requirements.
Customized simulation conditions – Prime Studies can support the development of mission-specific simulation conditions, such as:
Lunar, Martian, space-station, or deep-space mission scenarios
Communication delay structures
Artificial day/night cycles
Resource-management constraints
Customized EVA simulation requirements
Pre- and post-mission research – The research programme can include activities before and after the main mission, such as participant training, baseline measurements, equipment testing, follow-up measurements, interviews, or other study procedures.
High research priority – As the mission is designed around the Prime Study, the research receives the highest level of integration and planning priority within that mission. Only one Prime Study is conducted per mission.
- LunAres Data access – Prime Studies can be designed to make use of a broader range of LunAres mission data than standard research formats, where such data are relevant and available. Review the available data here.
The 1st mission costs start from 20 000 euro for a 14 day long mission.
Research costs depend on the specific requirements of each study, including:
- Complexity of the study – the number and complexity of research procedures and their integration into mission operations.
- Required LunAres team support – the level of coordination, operational support, monitoring, and study management required.
- Required mission resources and time – the amount of crew time, infrastructure, equipment, mission schedule allocation, and other resources needed during the mission.
- Amount of LunAres data requested – the scope and type of additional mission, operational, environmental, or other LunAres data required for the study.
- Required adaptation of the standard mission – How many aspects of mission architecture and infrastructure would need to be adapted to the research. Or is the scope of the mission entirely new and would require planning from scratch.
The cost estimation can be shared after submitting a proposal with sufficient information.
- AstroMentalHealth
- University of Silesia in Katowive, dr Agnieszka Skorupa
- Mental and behavioral health, work performance, and interaction with nature and technological environment during a space mission – psychological monitoring and intervention programs. The study included organisation of special “mirrored” mission simulating specific Axiom 4 mission to ISS.
- Paliga, M., Skorupa, A., Nowacki, A. et al. Personal values as antecedents of technostress and technology-related affective well-being during a simulated space mission. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-66203-
- Skorupa, A., Paliga, M., Niedbała, D. et al. Facial emotional responses to visual representations of deprived experiences in ICE environments: an exploratory analog space mission case study. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-66927-x
The Prime Studies proposals should be submitted a minimum 1.5 years prior to the mission.
Cost and Planning
Prime Study costs are determined individually because each project may require a different mission design.
The cost may depend on:
- Mission duration and number of missions
- Number and characteristics of participants
- Crew selection requirements
- Level of mission customization
- Research procedures and crew time
- Pre- and post-mission activities
- Specialized equipment and infrastructure
- Environmental or habitat adaptations
- Mission control and operational support
- Additional LunAres personnel or research coordination
- Data collection and data-access requirements
- Preparation, testing, and integration activities
Cost range
Prime Studies are individually scoped and priced. A meaningful cost estimate can only be prepared after the main research requirements and level of mission customization have been discussed.
For this reason, we recommend starting with the Research Consultation Form rather than relying on a fixed price range.
From research concept to Prime Study execution
1.1. Before submitting a research proposal, researchers should review the available LunAres research formats and their respective requirements, including Crew Member Study (CS Research), External Study (ES Research), and Prime Study (PS Research). Understanding the differences between these formats helps researchers select the appropriate submission path based on the study objectives, participants, crew time, required resources, level of mission integration, and desired LunAres support.
2.1. Submit a short description of your research through the Research Consultation Form.
The goal is to understand the research question, general methodology, participants, and expected mission requirements.
2.2. For suitable Prime Study concepts, the LunAres team will schedule a call with the research team.
The discussion can cover the research objectives, mission concept, required customization, potential constraints, expected resources, and possible implementation approaches.
Based on the consultation, LunAres assesses whether the proposed concept appears compatible with the station, available resources, and operational framework.
At this stage, we can identify major feasibility considerations and provide an initial indication of the likely level of effort and cost.
Once the project scope has been sufficiently defined, the research team provides more detailed information about the study.
This may include:
Research objectives and hypotheses
Study design
Participants and inclusion criteria
Research procedures
Required measurements
Crew time requirements
Mission schedule requirements
Equipment and infrastructure
Environmental conditions
Simulation scenario
Pre- and post-mission activities
Data requirements
Safety and ethical considerations
The exact information requested depends on the project.
LunAres and the research team work together to translate the research requirements into a feasible mission concept.
This may involve defining the mission duration, crew composition, simulation scenario, operational procedures, research schedule, infrastructure, environmental conditions, and data collection framework.
Once the scope is sufficiently defined, LunAres prepares a detailed cost estimate and implementation proposal based on the agreed research and mission requirements.
The proposal defines the expected responsibilities of the research team and LunAres, required resources, planned support, and major project conditions.
Following agreement on the scope, costs, responsibilities, and implementation framework, the relevant agreements are completed.
Detailed research procedures, equipment specifications, safety documentation, and other required materials are finalized before the mission.
The research team and LunAres prepare the mission and research implementation.
Depending on the project, this may include:
Crew selection and preparation
Researcher and crew training
Equipment testing and installation
Baseline measurements
Finalizing the research schedule
Mission simulations and procedure testing
Safety and operational reviews
Data collection preparation
The customized mission is conducted according to the agreed mission architecture and research protocol.
LunAres provides the agreed operational, technical, and research support throughout the mission.
After the mission, agreed research and LunAres datasets are prepared according to the project-specific data-access arrangements.
The scope, format, processing, and delivery timeline depend on the agreed research requirements.
Following completion of the agreed data delivery and other project activities, the LunAres implementation phase is completed.
The research team remains responsible for scientific analysis, interpretation, publication, and further use of the research data in accordance with the applicable agreements and requirements.
Prime Study typical scope determination
After the initial consultation and, where appropriate, a consultation call, researchers developing a Prime Study will be asked to provide more detailed information about the proposed project.
The purpose of this stage is to understand what the mission needs to provide, what needs to be customized, and what resources and support are required. The information also allows the LunAres team to assess feasibility and prepare a more meaningful cost estimate.
We will ask for basic information about the project, including:
Funding status – for example, existing grant, planned grant application, industry-funded project, or other funding source.
Expected mission timeframe – the preferred year or quarter for the mission.
Primary mission objective – a short description of what the mission is intended to achieve.
Prime Studies may allow research-specific requirements to be incorporated into the crew selection process.
Researchers can indicate whether they:
Accept the standard LunAres crew selection process.
Require specific adjustments to the selection process.
Intend to organize some or all of the selection process themselves.
Where specific selection criteria are required, we may ask about:
Demographic or participant characteristics.
Required training, qualifications, or skills.
Exclusion criteria.
Required crew size, including minimum, preferred, and maximum numbers.
Required backup crew members.
If the research team intends to take responsibility for any part of crew selection, the relevant responsibilities, requirements, and deadlines will be agreed with LunAres. Additional requirements may apply to ensure that the final crew meets operational and safety requirements.
Researchers should indicate whether the project requires training beyond the standard LunAres mission preparation.
If additional training is required, we will clarify:
The subject and purpose of the training.
Who needs to complete it.
The expected duration.
When it needs to take place before the mission.
Any specific facilities, instructors, equipment, or certification required.
For example:
Mission duration
Whether the standard 14-day mission is appropriate or a different duration is required.
Simulation scenario
Whether the standard LunAres lunar mission scenario is sufficient or whether a different scenario or mission concept is required.
The standard scenario currently includes no communication delay, possible emergency resupply, and a 24-hour day cycle synchronized with local Polish time.
EVA programme
Whether the research requires EVA activities and whether the standard LunAres EVA programme is appropriate. Researchers may propose additional or alternative EVA activities for review.
Mission Control
LunAres missions require Mission Control support for safety and operational reasons. Researchers can use the LunAres Mission Control service or, where appropriate, discuss a proposed alternative Mission Control concept with the LunAres team.
Any alternative EVA or Mission Control arrangements require prior review and agreement.
The research team will be asked to consider how the study should fit into the mission schedule.
This includes:
Required research sessions and their duration.
Frequency of activities.
Preferred timing.
Activities that must occur at specific points in the mission.
We will clarify what the research requires from the habitat and its infrastructure.
This may include:
Research equipment and instrumentation.
Workspace requirements.
Power requirements.
Network and communication requirements.
Equipment installation and storage.
Technical interfaces.
Environmental requirements.
Temporary or permanent infrastructure adaptations.
All technical and infrastructure requirements are assessed for feasibility, safety, and compatibility with the station.
Prime Studies may require access to mission data in addition to data collected directly by the research team.
Depending on the project, researchers may request access to or integration with:
Live environmental data during the mission.
Habitat camera systems during the mission.
Mission logs.
Communication with the crew.
EVA coordination and related information.
Other mission or operational data relevant to the research.
Researchers must identify any potential risks introduced by the research or associated equipment.
This may include:
Chemical risks.
Biological risks.
Electrical risks.
Mechanical risks.
Psychological risks.
Physiological or medical risks.
Other operational or safety risks.
The research team should provide a description of any potential hazards, required safeguards, and relevant documentation.
LunAres conducts an operational and safety review of proposed research procedures and equipment. Researchers remain responsible for obtaining any required ethical approvals, permits, regulatory authorizations, or other external approvals.
The scope determination may also identify additional services required to implement the project.