By Laura Reiske, Aedanaya Diamond, Keston Denhalter, Gilbert Wilkerson and Yuki Nishimura
Master’s Students, Space Studies

The University’s APUS Analog Research Group (AARG) recently completed a mission to the Space Analog for the Moon and Mars (SAM) habitat at Biosphere 2. The experience was unlike any other. It not only tested physical and mental limits, but it also revealed the deep bond that forms when a crew works together in a closed environment.

We are not just simulating space. We are rehearsing for the future.” – Gilbert “Sgt. Shih Tzu” Wilkerson

Preparing for the AARG-1S Mission

Unfamiliar with the habitat, members of the AARG-1S crew packed for the mission with a single goal in mind: Be ready for anything. Like the International Space Station (ISS), however, the SAM habitat limits the number of materials participants can bring. 

Each crew member was allowed only a single 28-liter tub for clothing and personal items. This limitation prompted extensive thought as we contemplated which items would be essential during this space analog mission.

One item we deemed “non-essential” was personal cell phones. We chose to leave our phones behind, so we could be fully immersed in the experience without losing sight of our mission. While the lack of personal phones wasn’t a major issue, the absence of such a familiar tool became quickly noticeable.

Many of us take our cell phones for granted, but we use them for various functions, like taking pictures or jotting down notes. We even use our cell phones as flashlights. Naturally, their absence made certain tasks a little difficult.

Fortunately, the mission’s organizers already printed our schedule and taped it to the wall in the habitat before we arrived. This schedule proved invaluable for keeping track of our various tasks.

The habitat had two primary ways – the microwave’s clock and the schedule – to track the passage of time during the AARG-1S mission. While it was not a huge issue, keeping track of time was an example of how the smallest inconveniences can add up. For example, the microwave clock was the only way to see the time in the kitchen or crew quarters.

Living Small in the Simulated Mars Environment

The layout of the SAM habitat was functional, yet unique. The airlock, which we climbed up steps to access, led to a space with a privacy curtain where we could change before we entered the rest of the habitat.

From there, a bathroom was to the left and the kitchen to the right. The crew quarters, a common area where the crew slept at night on sleeping pads along the walls, were just beyond the kitchen. Living in such close quarters demonstrated the importance of maintaining order and respect for each other’s space.

Across from the airlock was the entrance to the engineering bay. This space housed a variety of essential equipment, including the computer, the refrigerator and a 3D printer. It was also the pass-through to the rest of the habitat.

The engineering bay became a central point of activity. There, the crew would often check the status of systems on the Scalable, Interactive Model of an Off-World Community (SIMOC), SAM’s environmental monitoring system. They would also use the bay to communicate with CapCom/Mission Control. The space was efficient but compact, making it important for crew members to adapt quickly and make the most of their surroundings.

Beyond the engineering bay was the entrance to the Test Module (TM), our greenhouse. We accessed it by climbing a ladder through a small, overhead opening.

From the entrance, another ladder led down into the test module itself. The test module housed the hydroponics, and it’s where we conducted all plant/water-related experiments.

Using the hydroponic system, we grew and harvested lettuce, rosemary, cilantro, mint, thyme and oregano. Incorporating fresh vegetables and herbs into our meals was a special treat, as each meal was made from the dried or dehydrated ingredients astronauts use in space.

The simple joy of harvesting fresh greens for every meal felt rewarding and was an unexpected highlight of the mission for me.” – Aedanaya “Eclipse” Diamond

Working in the ‘Lung’

The SAM habitat has a pressurized environment to simulate the conditions of the surface of Mars. This pressurization is made possible in part by the “Lung,” a variable-pressure membrane that accommodates changes in air pressure and temperature within the habitat. 

We climbed into the Lung via a narrow tunnel connected to an access well in the floor of the TM. It became another memorable space for the crew.

The Lung was usually colder than the rest of the habitat and had a reverberant quality that made it feel like an alien environment. In fact, its acoustics were remarkable. The lung was a fun place to spend time in, especially when we performed a Pressurized-Sealed (Mode 3) test of the habitat’s capacity.

We would gather together, making noise, singing and simply enjoying the space. The lung became a place where crew members could hang out in and unwind.

Its walls were adorned with magnetic tiles containing singular words and phrases. We had fun trying to make sentences with them during our downtime.

AARG-1S Crew Dynamics

Crew dynamics played a central role in our mission’s success. Mission Specialist Gilbert Wilkerson was especially generous with his time, and the effort he displayed made him a valuable crew member. He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need.

Mission Specialist Keston “Capt. Breadbeard” Denhalter helped keep everyone in good spirits throughout the mission. He used his watch to fill the habitat with dance music and lighten the mood whenever we’d had a long day.

Mission Specialist Aedanaya Diamond was often in the kitchen, ensuring the crew had nutritious, satisfying food. Good meals were vital for maintaining energy and supporting overall morale, especially given our plant-based diet.

Crew Commander Laura Reiske brought everyone together, and her leadership kept us all on track.

“We found a bread maker within the first hour of our entrance. Naturally, I did what any sane astronaut would do for his crew: make as much bread as possible to bring about that scent of home,” says MS Keston.

“The smell of fresh bread wafted through the airlock; the crew yearned for bread and their cries would be answered! I did my best, but because we were faced with limited supplies, we ran out of flour after our third loaf,” he adds.

“The lack of flour required an Emergency High Priority Message to SuperEarth High Command (CapCom) to scour the archives for ancient bread-making techniques. They obliged without question, providing alternative flour options with oatmeal and rice meal. As a result, we lived another day through gluten-free bread to satisfy their cravings.”

Though only one team was sealed inside the habitat at a time, both Red and Blue Teams played active roles throughout the full mission. While one group lived and worked insidee SAM, the other served as CapCom, managing communications, troubleshooting, and daily logistics. That rotating structure meant each team knew what the other was dealing with – and made the support feel more immediate and collaborative.

MS Nishimura and MS Ferrara, for instance, during their CapCom shift, helped us figure out what to use when we ran out of flour and provided several alternative recipes for us to try. The Blue Team’s steady support reminded us that even during isolation, missions succeed through shared problem-solving.

Learning to Minimize Waste and Maximize Efficiency on Mars

One of the most rewarding aspects of the mission was our crew’s willingness to work together and adapt to the challenges they faced. The schedule was packed, and we were always on the move, whether checking systems, adjusting routines or performing experiments.

Even crew members who weren’t assigned to specific tasks would step in and offer assistance to ensure we stayed on track. This teamwork helped keep our mission running smoothly, even during unexpected moments of difficulty.

The SAM habitat at Biosphere 2 strives to model conservation efforts. Much like the ISS, it recycles resources and regulates their usage. The issue of water conservation became a central theme of the mission for the crew.

Washing dishes with less than a teaspoon of new water per dish was challenging yet satisfying for us. Our system entailed first scraping dishes, then putting them through a series of increasingly clean water containers before only a tiny amount of fresh water was required for the final rinse.

This meticulous process was one of the many small tasks that defined this experience. It demonstrated just how creative and resourceful the crew had to be to make the most of their limited resources.

Water conservation and the lack of a shower meant that we also had to get creative with personal hygiene. Sponge baths helped the crew feel clean enough to stay comfortable.

We each had our own system, but managing hygiene in such a small space with limited access to resources also became a team effort.

One of the funniest moments during the mission was the day Gilbert decided to wear his flight suit, because he ran out of clean clothes.

It was one of many situations that had everyone laughing and kept morale up throughout the mission. These moments of levity helped ease stress and kept spirits high.

Strengthening Bonds Between Crew Members

Despite the challenges and the small inconveniences our living conditions created, we maintained a positive outlook throughout the mission. Our sense of camaraderie grew with each day and with each challenge that was successfully surpassed.

It became clear that a cohesive, well-functioning team makes all the difference. In fact, the biggest lesson we learned was that a great crew and strong team dynamic make the mission significantly more successful and enjoyable.

Between the lack of resources and the difficult nature of our various tasks, the crew faced a considerable number of challenges. Still, the support and cooperation of our crew members turned every obstacle into an opportunity to learn and grow together. The bonds we formed elevated the mission experience and made even the most difficult tasks feel more rewarding.

“Coming into the AARG-1S mission, I expected the research and living in a closed environment to be the highlights. Now, walking away, the biggest highlight for me was the relationships the Red Team built with each other and with the rest of the AARG-1S and SAM teams,” says Laura Reiske.

“I laughed more during this mission than I have in years, and having a crew that genuinely enjoyed being together all the time made living in a confined space much less stressful. I am forever grateful for them!” she adds.

As the mission came to an end, everyone began to realize how much they’d grown both individually and as a team. With fond memories and lasting friendships, the AARG-1S mission will remain a benchmark for future missions. Though the experience is over, the lessons we learned and the bonds we formed during this extraordinary journey will continue to resonate.

Leaving Inspired after the AARG-1S Mission

Looking ahead, it’s uncertain when another mission like this will occur. One thing is certain, however: the memories of the AARG-1S mission will remain cherished. Whatever the future holds, this experience is a defining moment that will stay with each crew member indefinitely.

Mission Specialist Yuki Nishimura sums it up beautifully in his video: “Living on Earth, it’s easy to forget how connected everything is. But inside a hermetically sealed habitat with just four people, you feel it. Every action you take has a consequence that’s immediate, undeniable and inescapable,” he says.

“That’s the thing about living in a closed system: Everything is a closed loop. Waste becomes a resource. Consumption becomes a consequence. Balance isn’t a goal; it’s a requirement.”

About the Authors

Laura Reiske served as the Crew Commander for the Red Team on the ARG-1S mission. She is pursuing a master’s degree in space studies with a focus on aerospace from American Public University (APU). She has a bachelor’s degree in human development & cross-categorical special education from Prescott College. In 2022, Laura joined the APUS Analog Research Group and she has since served in multiple roles, previously as the Communications Manager and currently as the Chief of Staff. Previously, she supported planning and operations for 7 other AARG missions. She is currently a middle school math teacher for a virtual public school.

Keston Denhalter served as a Mission Specialist on the Red Team for this mission, which was his first mission as an AARG crew member. Currently attending American Military University (AMU), he is working on a master’s degree in space studies with a focus on astronomy. Keston previously earned his bachelor’s degree in space studies through AMU. He recently joined AARG and is also a member of the APUS Supernovae Research Group. He hopes to work for NASA in the future as a scientist or become a professor and teach astronomy.

Gilbert Wilkerson served as a Mission Specialist on the Red Team for this mission. Gilbert recently joined AARG and quickly became involved as a crew member on his first mission. He is pursuing his master’s degree in space studies with a focus on astronomy from American Military University. He previously earned a bachelor’s degree in the same concentration from AMU. In the future, he plans to continue his education at a university overseas, and he hopes to someday work in academia. Gilbert is also a member of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO).

Aedanaya Diamond served as a Mission Specialist on the Red Team for this mission. She is the Recruitment Coordinator for AARG and has served as mission support for many missions. Aedanaya was the Crew Commander for the AARG-7i mission to ILMAH. She holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and is currently finishing her master’s degree in space studies from American Public University. In the future, she hopes to work in closed-loop systems focusing on life support and sustainable habitats for space exploration.

Yuki Nishimura is an Associate Principal Scientist at Mars, Inc., bringing 24 years of experience in research and development. He holds a bachelor’s degree in space studies with a concentration in aerospace science from American Military University. Based in Tacoma, Washington, Yuki is an active member of the APUS Analog Research Group, having served as a Mission Specialist during the AARG-1S mission and as Crew Commander for the AARG-8i mission at the ILMAH analog facility.