‘Analog astronauts’ assemble in Biosphere 2 bubble
Out in the desert in Arizona, “similar astronauts” gathered this weekend for an annual conference in a giant, futuristic habitat known as Biosphere 2.
The event, known as the Analog Astronaut Conference, is an annual gathering that showcases the work of “similar astronauts”, or researchers who have completed simulated space missions, live and work in habitats on Earth that simulate the living conditions expected in destinations such as Mars or the moon.
The event takes place from May 6 to May 8 at Biosphere 2an extensive research facility in Oracle, Arizona, in the early 1990s, organized an experiment in which a group of “Biospheres” lived in the habitat for two years.
Video: ‘Spaceship Earth’ tells about 8 ‘visionaries’ in Biosphere 2 – Trailer
But don’t worry – the conference hasn’t locked up participants for two years. Instead, attendees get a look at what the environment really is like; Biosphere 2 contains several man-made biomes including rainforests, coral reefs, manufactured oceans and more.
Event speakers included astronaut (and similar astronaut) Sian Proctor, who flew with SpaceX’s own Inspiration4 orbital mission; architect Leszek Orzechowski, who created the LunAres Research Station, a similar habitat in Poland; space engineer Sahba El-Shawa; space exploration artist Richelle Gribble; filmmaker and researcher Kai Staats and more.
The event’s keynote speaker was author Frank White, best known for his 1987 book “Overview Effects: Space Exploration and Human Evolution.” White coined the term “overall effect”, which is used to describe the psychological change humans experience when observing the Earth from space.
Explore the full list of speakers this.
In addition to panels and speakers, the event includes art and music at the event as well as stargazing with Proctor. The event also included a screening of a Space.com documentary about the adventures of senior writer Chelsea Gohd as an astronaut similarly titled: “Chelsea Goes to Mars.”
Disclosure: Author Chelsea Gohd was involved in the planning of the Analog Astronaut Conference and is a similar astronaut, having completed a similar Mars mission in 2020 along with other members of the crew. The team helped plan the event. Gohd was listed as a speaker for the event, but after contracting COVID-19, she was not a speaker.
Email Chelsea Gohd at cgohd@space.com or follow her on Twitter @chelsea_gohd. Follow them on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
https://www.space.com/analog-astronaut-conference-biosphere ‘Analog astronauts’ assemble in Biosphere 2 bubble
