A postgraduate student from St Catharine’s College has been picked for a student-led analogue space mission called Asclepios II. Felix von Horstig, who is studying a PhD in Physics and Materials Science, is part of a team of nine analogue astronauts selected from applicants from around the world.
Analogue missions simulate real space activities while remaining on Earth and enable scientists to test equipment under realistic conditions. Based at Sasso San Gottardo, a 20th-century fortress in Switzerland, Asclepios II will replicate a Lunar South Pole environment to explore the challenges in the search for water. An earlier mission, known as Asclepios I, aimed to simulate an expedition to the Moon by using underground tunnels at the Grimsel Test Site in the Bernese Alps in July 2021.
Felix von Horstig
Commenting on the news, Felix said:
“Space, the final frontier, poses one of the most exciting and challenging opportunities to humanity and our generation is in a unique position to explore the solar system like never before! The day the first person settles onto the Moon or even Mars will be this century’s equivalent of Neil Armstrong taking “one giant leap for mankind” and will inspire a new generation of scientists, leaders and engineers. It will truly start the era of space exploration by making us a multi-planetary civilisation. I can think of no greater life goal of getting us there!
“Until recently I was also involved in financing and sponsoring for the mission but now I am focusing on the astronaut training. In the run up to July 2022, I will be attending lots of training such as extreme environments, diving, psychology and even public speaking training. For the mission itself, I will spend about two weeks at the base in Switzerland with other analogue astronauts, conducting experiments and extravehicular activities.”
Throughout the mission, the team of analogue astronauts will benefit from the guidance of mentor Professor Claude Nicollier, a former European Space Agency astronaut who logged more than 1,000 hours in space.
