Six Filipinos completed a 24-hour simulated Moon mission in Batangas, conducting experiments while dealing with isolation, limited resources and communication delays, according to the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).
The first Analog Habitat Waypoint (ANAHAW) mission concluded on Sept. 26 at Batangas State University’s Alangilan campus, where a simulated lunar habitat housed the crew.
Organized by PhilSA and the university, the exercise tested equipment, procedures and teamwork under conditions that recreated some challenges of space missions.
Such exercises, called analog missions, allow researchers to study how people and systems perform in simulated space environments before considering their use in actual missions.
During the exercise, the crew conducted experiments involving human-rover collaboration, crew welfare, emergency situations, surface microbial sampling and germination screening of Philippine food crops.
The team was led by mission commander Suguru Vaughn Hernandez, with flight engineer Nathaniel Macato, mission scientists Bianca Angeline Alcantara and Yzhae Marrione Villaruel, communications officer Jeremaine Ko, and health and nutrition specialist Mary Audrey Amorao.
Five personnel supported the crew from mission control.
All participants completed a six-part learning series before the simulation, covering mission concepts and operations. Their preparation included an assessment and a group pitch testing technical knowledge and teamwork.
Filipino analog astronaut Kristine Atienza helped develop the mission concept, led training sessions and mentored the participants.
Filipinos have previously joined analog missions abroad, including in Hawaii, Poland, Portugal and Australia. ANAHAW provides a local setting for similar research and training.
PhilSA said the exercise would help establish a framework for future university-based missions, drawing on lessons from habitat construction, experiments and operations.
The agency plans to replicate the program in more Philippine universities in succeeding years.
