4. Analogue missions: extreme environment research centres

The Earth’s remotest regions attract researchers and the most seasoned explorers. Cut off from the rest of the world under inhospitable conditions, these virgin environments, where resources are limited and communications are difficult, in almost complete isolation, can be used as simulators for space travel. The isolation period can range from a few days to several months, or even more than a year.

These extreme conditions can put a strain on teams and machinery alike. They are an opportunity to test our technologies and learn how humans interact in an isolation situation. These extreme conditions can wreak havoc on the team members’ body clocks, which can trigger difficulties sleeping, for example. Researchers study the effects on the body and the human spirit, and this is in addition to the data collected from astronauts on the International Space Station....