Two years after graduating in Aerospace Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico, Pedro Rosado is preparing to isolate himself in the depths of a fortress built inside a Swiss mountain – he has been selected as an analogue astronaut for the Asclepios V mission. From 21 July to 6 August, he will be one of nine team members subjected to extreme conditions in order to simulate those found on the lunar surface during a space mission, test technologies and protocols and study human behaviour in this type of environment.
Asclepios is a programme of analogue missions designed by students for students, under the mentorship of trained professionals. Asclepios V, in particular, will take place inside the former military fortress Sasso San Gottardo, located in the Swiss Alps. Underground, the site offers a dark, cold and humid environment, with temperatures of around 10°C – ideal characteristics for replicating the isolation and limitations of a lunar base.
The mission lasts approximately 16 days, during which the astronauts remain completely isolated from the outside world, without access to sunlight or direct communication with the external environment. The resources they have access to are also limited, just like on space missions. The food is freeze-dried and controlled by a team of nutritionists at the Mission Control Centre, which serves as the sole point of contact between the crew and the outside world.
Pedro Rosado has already faced the six-month selection and training process – “it is inspired by the recruitment processes of the ESA [(European Space Agency)] and NASA”. Technical and logical reasoning tests, as well as cognitive assessments to test memory, attention, problem-solving skills and critical thinking were some of the tests he underwent, along with training in extreme environments, such as immersion in frozen lakes, survival practices in very low temperatures and simulations of zero gravity in parabolic flights. The candidates also underwent psychological assessments to ensure that they have the emotional stability, adaptability and mental toughness needed to live in prolonged confinement, in conditions of high stress and isolation.
The importance of Técnico’s extracurricular projects for the career of an analogue astronaut
“My journey at Técnico was very enriching and essential for me to feel prepared for challenges like the Asclepios V mission”, says Pedro Rosado. Técnico “allowed [him] to acquire not only the technical tools, but also the critical spirit, resilience and sense of responsibility that are essential for taking part in an analogue mission”, as well as “an opportunity to grow in a collaborative context, where teamwork, solving complex problems and time management are skills that are continually developed”.
Pedro Rosado, who was a former member of the Aerospace Engineering Students’ Organisation at Técnico (AeroTéc), also highlighted “the importance of extracurricular projects promoted by Técnico students, which allowed him, from an early age, to apply the knowledge acquired in the classroom in practical and challenging contexts”. In particular, taking part in AeroTéc’s Rocket Experiment Division (RED) “was a remarkable experience”, which served as an opportunity to “deepen knowledge of aerospace engineering, work as part of a team with a strong sense of commitment and acquire a more concrete vision of the application of engineering in real projects” – skills that he now “recognise as fundamental to this mission and his future professional career”.
“As the mission approaches, nervousness increases”, but it is also “accompanied by a strong motivation to give the best, learn as much as possible and enjoy the mission and all the work done by the team throughout the year”. Pedro Rosado talks about a “profoundly significant and transformative experience”, whose results “will be fundamental for improving the planning of future manned missions, minimising risks, optimising resources and ensuring the well-being and performance of the teams in hostile environments such as the Moon, Mars or other celestial bodies”.
