Asclepios IV - Extreme environment trainings

Asclepios:

Asclepios is a student association that designs and develops analogue space missions. These missions simulate on Earth the environment and conditions that astronauts will find in space and on lunar or Martian bases. Our fourth mission is scheduled for July 2024.

By supporting this project, you will contribute to a high-impact scientific project, open to all space enthusiasts, contributing to the development of humanity towards a multi-planetary species.

The importance of space exploration increases every day. In the coming decades, space tourism will grow and we will set foot on the Moon again. This time we plan to stay there and build a permanent habitat. Considering the Moon's hostile and unforgiving environment, just one small mistake can prove catastrophic. It is therefore of the utmost importance to simulate living conditions on other planets here on Earth, to minimize potential risks and contribute to the development of space science through testbeds like ours. That's exactly what Asclepios does.

Asclepios is the first and only analogue space mission in the world entirely directed by and for students. The Asclepios association, recognized by the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and supervised by the EPFL Espace Space Centre, is led by several mentors with vast experience, from MEDES engineers (part of CNES) to ESA astronauts. In particular, our mission is supported by the first Swiss astronaut Claude Nicollier, who helps us every year to select our crew of similar astronauts.

Location:

Every year we choose an isolated region in the Swiss Alps for our mission to create our own analogue base. This year, we will simulate the installation of a moon base for two weeks in the Gottardo Fortress, a historic bunker dating back to World War II.

Our Goal:

Our mission goal is to understand what is physically, psychologically, socially and technologically necessary to enable human life on another planet. We collaborate with independent research groups around the world and provide intensive training to a team of young and ambitious students who will be involved as analogue astronauts or as members of the organizational team.

To know more see our documentary

Forbes interview

Funds:

This is the fourth year that we have organized an analogue mission, after the success of the previous years we want to make this mission a great success once again!

We created this crowdfunding page to enable our young organization to become more sustainable and professional in creating a platform for testing valuable scientific experiments. Our goal is to continue to grow and learn every year. Every year we want to improve our mission and the quality of the research carried out.

All funds will be used to train analog astronauts and project leaders and to procure all the materials and equipment necessary to give them the best analogue experience.

Trainings are done in isolated places, this year we chose the Pyrenees (Andorra), with an alpine-certified guides. This training is similar to those done by ESA astronauts crew, and the main goals are:

You can get a detailed idea of the plan for analog astronauts' training (3 Days):

Here is where your donations will go:

Your contribution:

By donating to our organization, you contribute to:

1) Support young aspiring astronauts, researchers, and space technicians, without taking into account their geographical position and their training.

2) Enlarge the space community.

3) Gain knowledge about life in prolonged isolation and physically and mentally hostile environments

4) Open the way for the inhabitants of other celestial bodies!