Mission Possible: Dr. Eleonore Cassandra Poli on Leadership, Analog Missions, and Accessibility

Mission Possible: Dr. Eleonore Cassandra Poli on Leadership, Analog Missions, and Accessibility

In this episode, host Hanna, Armenia's first analog astronaut, hosted Dr. Eleonore Cassandra Poli, a material scientist, analog astronaut, and aspiring leader in the space industry. Dr. Poli holds a PhD in Material Science from the University of Cambridge and is currently the Founder and Project Leader of CHASM. She’s also a key Operations Team Member at the Swiss Space Museum, and a former Head of Astronauts at ICEE.Space. She was also a part of Asclepios I and CHILL-ICE missions as an analog astronaut and commander. Dr. Poli shares about her work co-founding CHASM, the Community on Human-Analog Space Missions, and how it connects scientists, analog astronauts, and enthusiasts worldwide. She also discusses her leadership experiences in analog missions, training astronauts for psychological resilience, teamwork, and survival in isolated and challenging environments. A major focus of the episode is Dr. Poli's pioneering work on accessible space exploration. She shares how her team is developing adaptive spacesuits and habitats for parastronauts, making space missions more inclusive, and exploring 3D printing solutions for future extraterrestrial habitats. Dr. Poli also highlights the role of material science in the next generation of space exploration and how these innovations could transform both life on Earth and off-world missions.

Nutrition in Simulation: What Astronauts Eat in Analog Missions

In this episode, host Hanna, Armenia's first analog astronaut, hosted Christina-Ariadni “Aria” Valagkouti, an Analog Astronaut and Nutrition Expert. Christina holds a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Health with a specialization in Molecular Nutrition and Toxicology. She also did an analog mission at Astroland, which is the Analog Research Facility in Spain, where she explored the intersection of nutrition and space exploration. Cristina shares her journey from a biology student in Greece to a nutrition researcher, and how her focus on emergency food systems led her to explore the role of nutrition in extreme environments, including space. Discover her experiences as an analog astronaut at AstroLand, where she studied appetite, food systems, and the psychological impact of nutrition in simulated missions. She explains how her research connects the needs of astronauts with broader applications for emergency and crisis situations on Earth. Cristina also discusses the challenges of freeze-dried diets, the importance of food for mental resilience, and whether vegetarian and plant-based diets can meet the demands of future long-duration space missions.

From Balkans to Stars: Martina Dimoska’s Analog Mission Journey

In this episode, host Hanna, Armenia's first analog astronaut, hosted Martina Dimoska, the first female Balkan analog astronaut, Founder and President of the International Space Alliance, and a dedicated advocate for space exploration. How one woman turned challenges into opportunities, pioneering space access from the Balkans to the stars? Martina shares her journey into the world of analog missions, from her early studies in North Macedonia to international scholarships, volunteering, and global collaborations that opened doors into the space sector. Discover how she overcame the challenges of coming from a country without a space agency, the experiences that shaped her work with NASA hackathons, and the inspiring vision behind the International Space Alliance. Martina also shares her thoughts on the barriers faced by emerging regions in space exploration and how building access and opportunities can empower the next generation of scientists, engineers, and astronauts.

Spacesuits, Innovation, and Mars with Dr. Gernot Groemer: The Evolution of Analog Research

In this episode, host Hanna, Armenia's first analog astronaut, hosted Dr. Gernot Groemer, Director of the Austrian Space Forum, a TV host of TM Wissen, and an internationally recognized expert in Mars analog research, space exploration, and science communication. Dr. Groemer shares his journey into Mars analog missions, the development of Europe’s first Mars spacesuit simulators, and the cutting-edge technologies that have shaped simulated space exploration. Discover the origins of the Aouda spacesuit, the challenges and discoveries of leading 14 international Mars analog missions, and the inspiring collaborations behind the Austrian Space Forum. Dr. Groemer also shares his thoughts on the growing trend of analog missions worldwide, and how they could inspire and prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers for space exploration.

Lunar Simulations: Mechanical Engineering in Action

In this episode, host Hanna, Armenia's first analog astronaut, hosted Rajshekhar Peri, a mechanical and aerospace propulsion engineer and analog astronaut who participated in the lunar analog mission TITANIA. Together, they delve into Raj’s path into aerospace propulsion, his inspiration for becoming an analog astronaut, and the pivotal experiments he carried out during his mission. Raj discusses the challenges of analog astronaut training, the crucial role of mechanical engineering in such missions, and his vision for the future of simulated space exploration. The conversation also touches on the growing potential for analog missions in India, with Raj’s plans to conduct one in the near future, including experiments focused on astronaut behaviors and how materials react in simulated environments.