The S.M.O.P.S mission, successfully carried out, was an emblematic example of simulating dynamics related to space medicine. Focused on the health and well-being of astronauts in space missions, S.M.O.P.S tested a set of experiments and innovative technologies.
During the mission, we measured the stress experienced by astronauts and identified the main stress factors thanks to an experiment conducted by Benjamin Pothier, an expert in human factors. Using electroencephalography technology, we analyzed changes in the crew members’ brains during daily meditation sessions, providing valuable data for stress management in space.
We also tested the BG spacesuit, produced by Mars Planet, equipped with advanced sensors to monitor both the health conditions of the crew and the surrounding environment. Nadia Maarouf, a medical researcher specializing in cardiology, clinical pharmacology, and pharmacogenomics, conducted an experiment with sensor-equipped shirts to monitor the astronauts’ vital systems, contributing to our understanding of how the human body reacts to living conditions in space.
The S.M.O.P.S mission also included a safety and rescue exploration, with Paolo Guardabasso and Vittorio Netti from the DOME group conducting mapping and inspection flights with a VTOL (Vertical Take-Off Landing) drone. The drone played a crucial role in the simulated rescue of astronauts in distress, demonstrating the effectiveness of such tools in rescue operations.
Finally, an air purification device inside the astronauts’ living environment was tested in an experiment conducted by Luca Rossettini, CEO of D-ORBIT. This device proved its ability to ensure a healthy and safe atmosphere for astronauts.
The experience gained during the S.M.O.P.S mission was fundamental for the creation of a hub of space technologies, Mars City, with Martian and lunar simulations. This project, founded by Mars Planet and SIDI, continues the pioneering work done in the field of space exploration.
