Simulated astronaut missions reveal insights for Mars exploration.
Anastasia Stepanova, a PhD student in space resources at the Colorado School of Mines, has participated in multiple missions on Earth that simulate the conditions human crews would experience during spaceflight or long-duration missions on the moon or Mars. Stepanova has already chalked up an enviable track record in grappling with the effects of isolation and confinement on human psychology, physiology, and team dynamics. She is applying the knowledge she gained from simulated space missions to increase the productivity and well-being of crews on the moon and Mars.