Filipino analog astronaut returns after space simulation expedition
Marvic Alcantara, a Filipino analog astronaut, has returned from his simulated lunar journey, which gave him a glimpse of life on the moon.
On Facebook, he wrote about his experience after completing his analog mission at Hawai’i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS).
"Our journey to the moon has ended. We were exposed to a simulated lunar environment with various challenges. There was a time when everything went south, and despite our differences in backgrounds, race, and field of specialization, the crew worked as one and was able to carry out interventions that got us through," he penned in his post.
Marvic becomes the first Filipino medical doctor and second analog astronaut from the Philippines to join the cosmic quest.
"As the Medical Officer and Nutrition Specialist, I was able to learn how to manage some medical cases caused by a different environment while at the same time experiencing the same. My goal was to provide holistic care, proper nutrition and optimal health for the crew in spite of a situation far from our standard of living," Marvic added.
What is an analog astronaut?
ICYDK, an analog astronaut is someone who undergoes simulation of deep space missions here on Earth in areas that are similar geographically to real missions.
Meanwhile, HI-SEAS is a Mars and Moon Explorations Analog Research Station where analog astronauts get to simulate life on Mars or the moon.
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The space quest consists of a one-week or two-week stay in the habitat. Within the time frame, the crew composed of the commander, vice commander, chief space engineer, medical officer, and nutrition specialist, perform extravehicular activities (EVA) while wearing an astronaut suit.
Selected participants inhabit a 1,200-square-foot dome located on the rocky slopes of the Mauna Loa volcano in Hawai‘i Island and undergo high-fidelity analog research tasks in extreme space environments like on Mars and the moon.
The site has a massive comparison to Mars and moon features, which allows astronauts to perform high-fidelity geological and astrobiological field activities that bring realism to the simulation by human explorers and/or robots.
To join the simulated space mission, interested applicant are encouraged to apply through their official website for their 2024 mission. One will need to provide their background, motivation for participating, experiments they want to execute in the habitat, and their curriculum vitae.
In 2023, Kristine Atienza, the first ever Filipina bannered the Philippine flag participated in the same six-day moon life expedition.