The logo of LunAres Research Station

LunAres Research Station is a specialized analog research facility located in Piła, Poland, dedicated to isolation studies and simulating the planetary operations of a surface space habitat. Established in 2017 by Space Garden Company, LunAres serves as a testbed for scientific research and technological development related to long-duration space missions. LunAres Research Station was designed and is operated by Space is More Company led by award-winning space architects Leszek Orzechowski and Agata Mintus. The station enables researchers, engineers, and analog astronauts to study the effects of isolation, confinement, and other space mission challenges in a controlled setting, contributing valuable insights to the future of human space exploration. The facility is used by the European Space Agency for parallel psychological study on the astronauts at the International Space Station and analog astronauts in the analog habitat.[1][2]

The habitat

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The habitat was built in 2017, at the post-military airport in Piła, Poland by Space Garden and designed by Space is More companies.[3] The facility provides full isolation - the habitat is only connected to the old military aircraft hangar, in which there are 250 meters of Extravehicular activity area.[4]

LunAres Research Station is composed of modules connected by an atrium. These modules are:

  • Hygiene module
  • Biolab and medical room
  • Kitchen
  • Dormitory
  • Operations room
  • Storage and gym
  • Workshop
  • Airlock
  • Atrium

Each module is equipped with all the necessities, that are crucial for conducting research, the safety of the crew, and their daily routines.[5][6]

References

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  1. ^ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355881817_Gender_Parity_and_Parastronauts_Anticipating_trends_for_the_2021_ESA_astronaut_selection_criterion_with_analog_mission_studies
  2. ^ Gronwald, Barbara; Kijak, Karina; Baszuk, Piotr; Lietz-Kijak, Danuta; Kosko, Kamil; Matuszczak, Mikołaj; Skomro, Piotr; Bielawska-Victorini, Hanna; Orzechowski, Leszek; Mintus, Agata; Gronwald, Helena (2022). "Evaluation of Physiotherapy Impact on Neuromuscular Tension in Analog Astronauts at the LunAres Habitat". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19 (11): 6888. doi:10.3390/ijerph19116888. PMC 9180861. PMID 35682471.
  3. ^ https://spacefdn.com/projects-esf/lunares-research-station/
  4. ^ https://lunares.space/
  5. ^ https://delibra.bg.polsl.pl/Content/75181/BCPS-84431_2022_Multifaceted-researc_0000.pdf#page=11
  6. ^ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094576521005877