Update: I am going to the moon! ⁣
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Okay well kind of… sorry to get you excited there. No, I haven’t heard from NASA yet. But I DID get selected for my first analog mission!

I will be joining HI-SEAS to do a lunar mission exploring lava tubes!

An analog mission is essentially a “practice” mission where we simulate what a crewed mission to the moon or Mars would look like here on Earth. This is means we have a space worthy habitat, a crew with roles, and limited contact with the outside world (including time delays).

Our crew is participating in a simulated lunar mission named SELENE-I. While we have a lot of secondary experiments and even more team dynamics to work on… our primary mission is to participate in research partnered with NASA Goddard mapping unexplored lava tubes!

Why is that so cool? Well other than the fact that lava tubes are basically giant tunnels formed when a volcano erupts and the lava carves out paths, destroying everything in its way… both the moon and Mars have lava tubes too!

They are probably where we will first set up habitats on new worlds when we go off to explore. They are safe, protective of radiation and dust storms, and have good infrastructure. This mission could serve to help us prepare for when to put more permanent habitats on the moon. ⁣

My mission is Sept 7th-21st. During this time I will be completely off social media (talk about a cleanse) but you can reach me be email if you want! ⁣

While I am incredibly excited, I am also a little bit terrified. Not only is my crew full of some of the most accomplished individuals I know… I also am going to be trying something COMPLETELY new. Just like everything else going on right now, this will be an adventure!

And probably the truest quarantine experience of anyone here. ⁣
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So here goes nothing! I am going to the moon! I just hope the “moon” is ready for me!⁣

PC: @astro_Michaela