→ SCIENTIFIC OUTREACH OF THE LUNAR EXPEDITION I IN THE LUNARES HABITAT IN POLAND A.M. Kolodziejczyk

1,2, A. Rudolf

2, M. Gocyla

2, M. Mlynczak

2, I. Schlacht

3, E. Wierzejska

2, A. Wasniowski

2, L. Davidova

2,

P. Konorski2, M. Hrasymczuk

1,2, M. Slonina

2, J. Kuzma

2, G. Ambroszkiewicz

2, D Budzyn

2, B.H. Foing

1,3,

1ESA/ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands,

2Lunares Team,

3ILEWG – International Lunar Exploration Working Group

Astronauts Control

→ Circadian clock shifts during the mission using habitat lighting system

→ Mission objectives

→ Subjective time perception in relation to training and biological clock

→ The habitat Lunares

→ Conclusions

The base is a privately funded Space Garden Company iniciative. Lunares is a simulated space base and chronobiological

laboratory to perform advanced studies on humans in controlled conditions [1]. With common effort of Medical University

in Poznań, Lunares became the first in Poland laboratory of extreme medicine. People living in this base are constantly

monitored by telemedical devices. Additionally, the base is monitored regarding O2 levels, temperature, humidity,

radiation and light intensity. The habitat is equipped with automated lighting systems controlled by Mission Control

Center, where specific ranges of solar spectrum can be administrated selectively. It’s the only facility of its kind in the

world, where conditions of the future base both on the Moon and Mars can be simulated. The habitat is located at the

former military airport in Piła, north of Poland. Four analog missions were planned for 2017, among them the Lunar

Expedition I.0. During two weeks of isolation from external world, analog astronauts were completely cut off from UTC

time, sunlight and urban noise. They could leave the hab only to an airplane hangar where the surface of the Moon was

simulated. More information about the habitat can be found at www.lunares.space

→ The habitat

Figure 1. Effects of induced day (yellow) and night (dark blue) phases on waking (red) and going to sleep (green)

times of analogue astronaut crew and control subjects in the mission control center during 2 weeks simulation (X

axix). Adjustment to light conditions and strong jetlag phase are observed for the astronaut group.

→ Stress in isolation

The experiment was based on the analysis of texts on the

following correlation:

More (+) amplitude, time & frequency variation of text

correspond to (=) less (-) physiological & psychological stress

level.

3 tasks were repeated 5 times during the isolation:

● 1st: measure amplitude, time & frequency variation of text

● 2nd: ask 3 questions on subjective stress feeling

● 3rd: monitor blood pressure and heart rate

Preliminary results with one crew confirm the hypothesis:

+ time spent on text = - subjective stress (psychological stress)

+ text amplitude = - heart rate (physiological stress)

Gender differences were found on subjective questions (see

charts):

• Men in the preceding and subsequent to isolation =

+ subjective stress

• women in the central isolation stages =

+ subjective stress – performing - and comfortable

Figure 2. Subjective time perception test available at http://stpa.astrotech.io was performed regularly after waking up

and before sleep by analogue astronauts and control group. During 2 weeks mission the software revealed results

as the feedback to induce learning. Training phase significantly improved subjective time perception after the

mission in both astronauts (crew 6 people) and control subjects in mission control center (MCC – 3 people).

Additionally the influence of applied lighting for increase of serotonin levels was analysed.

Figure 3. Subjective time perception seems to be related with circadian clock but only in

the morning phase, what again could have a connection with serotonin levels. In analogue

astronauts group we observed extended feeling of passing time comparing to MCC control

group.

In this work we demonstrate first results from the Lunares laboratory, which are related with biological clock investigation on humans in fully controlled isolated conditions. Six tested analogue astronauts

responded properly to the lighting systems installed in the habitat and correctly followed time shifts according to given light entrainment factors. Astronauts were separated from UTC time, however this treatment

did not influence their induced subjective time perception. Interesting correlation with the morning phases of the biological rhythms and extended feeling of time needs to be tested more regarding neurotransmitter

levels in the central nervous systems and the influence of administrated specific wavelengths vie retinotopic neural pathways. We hope, that our investigation will bring knowledge to develop smart sunlight

simulators in future space habitats to synchronize all living organisms and keep them balanced and healthy. We cordially welcome interested scientists to collaborate with us.

Contact: fichbio@gmail.com, www.lunares.space