Analog Astronaut Conference 2026

Members of the University of Warsaw Geophysics Student Association took part in the Analog Astronaut Conference 2026, held from 30 April to 3 May 2026 in Arizona, USA. The event was organised at Biosphere 2, the world’s largest and most advanced analog habitat. It brought together scientists, engineers, analog astronauts, and representatives of the space sector from many countries.

The conference is one of the most important international events dedicated to analog astronautics and research on future crewed space missions. The participation of University of Warsaw students and doctoral candidates provided an opportunity to present ongoing research, exchange experiences, and establish cooperation with representatives of the global scientific community and the space sector. During the conference, members of the University of Warsaw Geophysics Student Association delivered the following presentations:

Natalia Godlewska, an astronomy student, gave an oral presentation entitled “Who gets to go to space? Extending research beyond superhuman astronaut”, concerning the expansion of analog astronautics research to include people who do not meet the traditional criteria of a “superhuman astronaut”.

Mikołaj Zawadzki, a doctoral candidate at the Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Warsaw, gave an oral presentation entitled “Analog Space Base in a Nickel Mine in Poland”, devoted to a project for an underground analog space base being developed in a former nickel mine in Szklary.

Yuliia Biliak, a biology student, was a co-author of the presentation entitled “Analog Space Base in a Nickel Mine in Poland”.

Representatives of the University of Warsaw also actively participated in organising the conference programme. On 1 May 2026, Natalia Godlewska and Mikołaj Zawadzki served as moderators of thematic sessions: “50 Years on Mars – Viking Anniversary” (moderated by Mikołaj Zawadzki) and “Environment and Sustainability” (moderated by Natalia Godlewska).