Submit a research proposal
LunAres Research Station has a continuous open research call throughout the whole year. The proposals can be sent for specific missions or one or more standard missions.
The main purpose of the LunAres Research Station is to enable gathering ground-reference data for crewed space flight studies.
To submit your research project please follow the steps:
- Fill out our Preliminary Research Form
- Check your e-mail inbox – we usually contact suitable research candidates in 2-5 days
- Have an interview with us to discuss further details.
- The LunAres Team contacts the researcher regarding the research approval.
- Fill out the Final Research Form with the finished version of your project (although no later than 2-4 weeks before the mission starts (depending on the complexity of the project)). Final Research Form is provided to the researchers after interview.
Ongoing Research
- University of Silesia in Katowice, dr Agnieszka Skorupa “Psychological indicators of an effective adaptation to the analogue space missions”
The research aims to look at the characteristics of astronauts and the daily variability of stress, mood, work efficiency and group dynamics to understand best the factors related to effective adaptation to the conditions of space isolation.
- University of Silesia in Katowice, dr Agnieszka Skorupa “AstroMentalHealth”
Mental and behavioural health, work performance, and interaction with nature and technological environment during a space mission – psychological monitoring and intervention programs. The study is realized also on ISS.
- Michał Mos, Marta Kluba “Plantuner”
Study on the impact of specially designed meditative soundscapes for generating synergy and interaction between humans and plants, as well as positively stimulating the well-being of plants and analog astronauts during missions
- Neurotek Lab. University of Cadiz, dr Gabriel G. De la Torre
The study aims to identify and mitigate the inherent risks and challenges associated with EVAs and assess their effect on the astronaut’s performance.
- University of Zielona Góra, Konrad Opaliński “Psychological and Cognitive Functioning of Analog Space Mission Participants”
The study aims to investigate whether participation in an analog space mission will affect participants’ psychological and cognitive functioning.
- University of Zurich, Monika Maślikowska “Thriving in Isolation: Confinement, Resilience, and Effective Teamwork”
The project aims to explore team interactions under confinement at the analog space station mission.
- Wrocław University of Science and Technology, dr Marta Rusnak and Karolina Komorowska “Eye tracking in the examination of analog astronauts’ visual performance during a mission”
The study examines the influence of isolation and unusual environmental conditions during a mission on analog astronauts’ vision.
- CSEM, dr Eleonore Poli, Tomas Ducai “Investigation of crew performance and well-being in missions with and without crew members presenting disabilities”
The study aims to assess the well-being and performance of analogue astronauts with and without crew members who present a disability. The ultimate goal is to understand how much of an analogue space mission needs to be modified for parastronauts, and how these changes can positively impact non-parastronaut missions by rendering them more inclusive.
- University of Central Florida, Andres Käosaar “The Role of Emotion Regulation Mechanisms and Coping Strategies in Team Dynamics for Long-Duration Space Exploration”
The study focuses on group affect and team affective processes of teams operating in Isolated, Confined, and Extreme environments.
- Guillermo Rojo “Maxforce Analog Astronaut Measurement”
The main goal of the study is to analyse Maxforce as a maximum strength assessment device. Secondary to this, evaluate Maxforce as a strength training tool.
- Technischen Universität Wien, dr Sandra Häuplik-Meusburger “Exploring the Dynamics of Habitability and Boundaries: Perceived social, psychological and spatial concepts”
The scientific purpose of this study is to systematically investigate and understand the intricate relationship between the built environment (habitat) and its inhabitants (crew) within a confined space.
- Technischen Universität Wien, Sara Borjanovic “Assessment of living and working conditions and their influence on well-being and performance of participants in an isolated research station”
The scientific purpose of this study is to systematically investigate the unique challenges and opportunities presented by designing confined, isolated research stations.
- AstroAccess, Mary Cooper “ParaAstroanut Time Management & Performance Tracking”
The study aims to create a first edition of a standardized disability tracking tool.
- Aleksander Waśniowski, Małgorzata Perycz, HIPPOCAMPUS IN ISOLATION STUDIES
This study aims to determine the volume of the hippocampus (part of the brain involved in spatial orientation) and the levels of selected neurotransmitters and brain metabolites (which give information about brain activity) to investigate possible changes caused by short-term isolation in a small space.
Finished Research
- University of Silesia in Katowice, Mateusz Paliga, dr Agnieszka Skorupa “Human-robot interaction during simulation of an extra vehicular activity”
The human-robot interaction research aims to explore the psychological perspective of the analog astronauts’ work with the land robot – LEO Rover. The assessment includes fluency and satisfaction with the interaction, subjective performance, and emotions evoked during collaboration with the Rover.
- Katarína Molnárová, Mendel University in Brno, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Co-cultivation of Microalgae Consortium with Higher Plants for Their Enhanced Growth and Development on Moon Regolith
- Inga Popovaite, Group dynamics research (sociology)
Group dynamics research project is a part of ongoing human research in Lunares. Dr. Inga Popovaite, a sociologist from Kaunas University of Technology is conducting a sociological study of group behavior and interpersonal dynamics. For this part of study, Inga is collecting data on group cohesion, interpersonal relationships, and perceived hierarchies.
Dr. Popovaite is interested how groups function in space analog environments and how social relations correspond to emotional well-being.
- Monika Stojek, Eating Behavior in an Analog Space Environment
Dr. Monika Stojek, a clinical psychologist from the University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland, is interested in associations between stress and eating behaviour. In this part of the Lunares project, she investigates trait and state-based motivations for different types of food while individuals adjust to new conditions. She is interested in how an individual’s predispositions might interact with environmental stressors to affect eating behaviour.
- Jas Purewal, PARO
Research on reducing the feelings of stress and loneliness that analog astronauts experience during a confined, isolated analog space mission by having the crew interact with the PARO therapeutic robot.
- Rachna Nath, Monitoring Blood Sugar levels using FreeStle Libre meters in Lunares 2023 mission analogs
THe aim of the study is to monitorr blood sugar levels in the mission participants to see the effect of freeze dried food in the participants blood sugar levels.
- Pedro Emilio Alcaraz Ramón, PhD in Sport Sciences UCAM Research Center for High Performance Sport, Performance and fatigue monitoring during UCAM NIKE II mission
The objective of the proposal is to determine the effects of confinement during the space mission simulation on physiological, neuromuscular and psychological parameters. It is also intended to evaluate these effects on a daily basis in order to observe the modifications that occur as the days go by and to be able to establish warning signs of the physical and psychological state of the crew members.
- Maneesh Kumar Verma Team Leader & Head of Operations, Lunar Zebro Project, Preliminary comparison study of terra-mechanics performance over lunar terrain between wheel and C-shaped legs
- Lucie Ráčková, Environmental Physiology at RECETOX, Masaryk University, Comprehensive Human Research for Nike 1
- Deepasree Bangaru-Raju, Dhivya Bangaru-Raju, Use of ultrasound during long-duration spaceflight and its use in medical emergencies.
- Kristine Jane Atienza, Evaluation of dietary sufficiency and energy adequacy in short-term and athletics-focused space missions
- Lucie Ráčková, RECETOX Masaryk University, Sociosexuality in space analogue teams
The objective of the study is to address the topic of sociosexuality and its relationships with psychosocial dynamic during space analogue mission.
- Prof. Dr. Ralf Möller German Aerospace Centre, MEDUSA: Microbial monitoring and Exercised Demonstration of in use Antimicrobial Surfaces in LunAres
- Gioia Arieti, Wide Time
- Karina Kijak; Pomeranian Medical University of Szczecin, Evaluation of changes in the value of selected physiological parameters in analog cosmonauts during an isolated space mission.
- Henderika de Vries PhD, CREATIVITY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL INDICATORS IN THE EXTREME ENVIRONMENT OF ANALOGUE SPACE MISSIONS
The study will allow to gather data on creative potential and related psychological indicators of individuals in extreme human environments such as during isolation and living in a confined environment of an analogue space mission. The environment is a known contributing factor to creative potential, but it is rarely researched in an extreme environment. Creative thinking might be needed to survive in space and it is also related to individual wellbeing.
- Dobrochna Fryc, Research on human motor system
Muscles, being an effector part of human motor system have most plasticity among all tissues taking part in motion. There are several motor abilities influenced by condition of muscles. Therefore any changes caused by psycho-physiological conditions should manifest itself in basic human motor system examination.
- Marcin Dornowski, Assurance of effective follow-up of prolonged costly task contracts using biomedical methods – neurofeedback influence in lowering the stress reaction level according to isolation on molecular, neurophysiological, psychomotor and psychological level.
Defining the level of influence of neurofeedback sessions on stress model profiles experienced during isolation according to molecular, neurophysiological, psychometrical, and psychological signatures. Defining the base level – measurement no 1 of each stress signature before the stressor (isolation) will be engaged.
- Barbara Szaflarska, AGH Space Systems, SHREAMP (Space Habitat Research – Effectiveness of Anesthetic Monitoring Payload)
Application of shrimp in aquaponic plant cultivation process
- Tekniker, Borja Pozo, Photoelectrochemical system for CO2 reduction to produce fuels and sewage treatments Greywater collection and storage description
Turning astronaut waste into fuel on Mars. To survive on Mars will mean maximising use of all available resources. A team from Spanish technological centre Tekniker is working on a system that uses sunlight to produce fuel from astronaut wastewater.
- Silesian University of Technology, PI: Wiktoria Dziaduła, PANDA MISSION: Functionality in analog habitats
- Benjamin Pothier, Sara Sabry, ORPHEUS MISSION: EEG headset experiment, Neurofeedback
- University of Oslo and International Space University, Dr Tricia L., MOVE Experiment
- DLR Technology Marketing, Dr. med. Claudia Stern (DLR), Scott Ritter, MSc (DLR), RETINA Project