- Student
- 16/08/2024
Student spends week in isolation on the “moon”
No rocket launch, lack of oxygen or nice views of Earth – only a week of total isolation: Applied Physics student Helena Tataj started her (summer) internship at LUNEX EuroMoonMars with a simulated mission to the moon. “It’s hard to imagine how you will react to being locked in a room with four strangers.”
On the first day that the now second-year student woke up in the space base, all clocks were set to zero. That way, Tataj and the four other women on the mission at the Analog Astronaut Training Center in Poland were able to follow a very precise schedule. Every two hours, they had to record a whole range of data on themselves. “For example, we had to monitor our blood saturation, breathing rate, body fat percentage and body weight. We also kept track of how much we ate, how many calories we burned exercising, how much we drank and what we drank.” In her role as the crew’s chemist, Tataj’s job was to inventory the chemicals. She spent the rest of her time exercising and doing research.
Tataj investigated the pumping speed of the station’s vacuum pump. “My measurements didn’t match the speed the pump should have according to the manufacturer. As it turned out, the device had a leak.” During the first year of her program, she had already learned how to write a scientific reports, so that wasn't difficult for her. "It didn't intimidate me."
Another pleasant surprise, which she ultimately describes as the best part of the experience, was the interaction with the other crew members. She couldn’t imagine beforehand what it would be like to be locked in a small space with four strangers. “What surprised me the most of all was how close we became in just one week. Constantly being around people can be very annoying, but it didn’t bother me at all. I never expected that.”
Wet wipes
Dealing with the lack of hygiene at the base was a bigger challenge. “There was very little water available for washing, so we had to use wet wipes and dry shampoo. To make matters worse, it was also quite hot and we exercised every day, so you can imagine what that was like.” A week in isolation under those conditions and surrounded by people you don’t know forces you to step out of your comfort zone, says the student. The only places on the base where she could be alone for a moment was in the gym or bathroom.
Tataj also struggled with the lack of nature. She had never been away from greenery for so long before. When she finally got to leave the “habitat” after a week, she was so happy to be outside again that she even felt a connection with bugs. “For the first time in my life, I didn’t mind walking through a bush full of spiders.” Would she be able to endure being away from nature for months, as a real astronaut? “I think so, but I’d need to prepare myself mentally.”
Future as an astronaut
However, she is not yet sure if that is the path she will take. Although Star Trek: The Original Series sparked her interest in space travel, becoming an astronaut is not necessarily her dream. I’m only nineteen and I’m not sure yet what I want to do in the future. I chose Applied Physics precisely because it’s such a broad program. I could stay in science, become an astronaut or take a completely different path and go into finance.” To find out if the latter is an attractive option, she will be taking a few courses in that field. That does not mean she is closing the door on a potential future as an astronaut. “All doors stay open and that is one of them.”
Discussion