Science and Universities

The Hypatia I team, the simulation of a manned mission by women at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), has shared their scientific and living experience of living in conditions as similar as possible to those on the red planet. The presentation of the mission, which coincided with the 60th anniversary of the expedition of Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to fly into outer space, was aimed at promoting research, developing outreach activities and encouraging scientific vocations, especially among the young female community. In view of the success of the first edition, a new mission has been announced today in the Hypatia reserve, which will once again be located in the Utah desert in the United States. 

The previous edition was completed without interruption despite restrictions on water, food and lack of communication with the outside world. Astronomer Mariona Badenas-Agustí, biologists Carla Conejo and Laia Ribes, mathematician Ariadna Farrés, journalist Núria Jar and engineers Neus Sabaté and Cesca Cufí-Prat spent the 12 days of simulation in an orography and geology very reminiscent of the planet Mars. The Utah desert presents an environment with rich ferrous material and large temperature oscillations that ranged from 3 to 29 degrees Celsius and a low humidity of 10%. Low water consumption per person, exclusive use of the internet only to send reports, and a diet based on dried produce and greenhouse crops are some of the difficulties encountered by the simulation members. 

Two of the backup members of the first mission, mathematician Anna Bach and engineering student Helena Arias, will return to the new astronaut team. The remaining crew members will be defined through a selection process that Hypatia will detail through its social networks. In this way, they will encourage the participation of the young sector and will give visibility to the project, to women scientists and to the vocation for research.