Application deadline: December 7, 2025

The Austrian Space Forum is soliciting applications for the next class of Analog Astronauts (class of 2026). After a competitive selection process between December 2025 – May 2026, the analog astronauts will report for an approximately five-month basic training starting in June 2026, leading to potential assignments for missions as early as April 2027.

Applicants must be between 25 and 45 years old and have experience in a technological, engineering, or scientific field, and/or (commercial or military) pilot training. They should be fluent in English and willing to participate in a four-week Mars analog mission.

Dr. Gernot Grömer, Director of the OeWF: “We are looking for exceptional individuals who will participate in our unique projects as analog astronauts. Mars analog research tests on Earth how humans will live and conduct research on Mars in the future. To this end, our analog astronauts spend an average of four weeks in an area that is as geologically similar to Mars as possible, testing equipment and procedures.”

Dr. Anika Mehlis, OeWF Analog Astronaut: “I have already participated in two OeWF analog missions: an unforgettable experience that allowed me to gain new perspectives and push my limits. As a scientist, I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to a wide range of research areas as part of an international team of experts.”
 
The application deadline is December 7, 2025, and the selected candidates will be announced in May 2026. A comprehensive and thorough training program awaits them.

Application Details

What awaits the prospective Analog Astronauts:
For over 20 years, the Austrian Space Forum has been conducting analog research and is the only organization in Europe to maintain a permanent team of volunteer analog astronauts for Mars analog missions.

During Mars analog missions, the analog astronauts wear the OeWF’s spacesuit simulator for outdoor activities, which range from testing procedures and equipment to conducting different scientific experiments. The spacesuit simulator weighs approximately 50 kg.
Analog astronauts are also high-profile ambassadors for astronautical space travel and Mars research in general. They will speak with journalists and many space enthusiasts, give presentations, and be present in the media.
As part of their work, analog astronauts gain access to a unique network of space companies and experts

Minimum Selection Criteria

• European Space Agency member states or Liechtenstein citizen, aged between 25-45 years (on 15Apr2026).
• Body height between 165-190 cm, minimum body weight: 55 kg
• Excellent mental and physical health condition
• Fluency in English (preferably with at least a second European language)
• Experience in a technological, engineering or scientific field (such as aerospace/mechanical/electrical engineering, computer science, life sciences, geosciences), AND/OR commercial or military pilot training.
• Full availability for the basic training (approximately five extended weekends between May-August 2026, plus distance learning and the ability to follow a strict physical and nutritional training regime) both during the basic training and in preparation for missions.
• Availability for mission preparation or recertification (typically two weekends per year) and missions (two to four weeks of field operations every two to three years on average), as well as for media and education/outreach activities on an irregular bases.

Selection Process
The selection process will take place in three rounds, primarily in the OeWF’s Suitlab in Innsbruck. The candidates’ physical and psychological suitability, teamwork skills, communication abilities, and capacity to quickly grasp technical and scientific topics will be tested. Up to 637 different parameters will be measured during this process.
The selected candidates will be announced in May 2026.

Training of the Selected Analog Astronauts
The selected candidates will undergo comprehensive training: fitness, media training, and natural sciences, such as geology, are all part of the program, as is the OeWF’s spacesuit simulator. This simulator weighs 50 kg and mimics the limitations of a real spacesuit, such as a restricted field of vision, severely limited movement of the arms and legs, communication only via radio, and thick gloves that hinder fine motor skills. It takes three hours to put on the spacesuit simulator. Medical telemetry continuously provides information about the analog astronaut’s condition and the air quality inside the suit. The spacesuit simulator is worn during extravehicular activities (EVAs) on Mars analog missions.

What is Analog Research?
Analog research is the simulation of astronauts’ work on Earth to test equipment and procedures and identify weaknesses before space missions. Everything that will later keep astronauts alive millions of kilometers away on their way to Mars is meticulously examined and tested on Earth. This also includes psychological factors such as team dynamics, living in confined spaces, and the effects of isolation that a future Mars expedition will entail.

About the Austrian Space Forum
The Austrian Space Forum (OeWF) is a private space research institution. As ESA’s first Ground Based Facility in Austria we operate a vertical treadmill to simulate different gravity-levels. The OeWF also serves as a network for spaceflight specialists, business/industry and people interested in space. We conduct Mars Analog Missions on a regular bases, involving scientists and institutions from all over the world. The OeWF is playing a leading role in two international Cube-Sat missions that detected space debris in Near Earth Orbit from 2022 to 2024. We cooperate with international research institutions and companies and are in constant dialog with the media and decision makers. With 250 members from 20+ nations, the Austrian Space Forum focuses on scientific excellence, starts, shapes and networks careers and has been inspiring people all over the world since 1998.
During World’s Biggest Analog the Austrian Space Forum was the central hub serving as the Mission Coordination Center for 16 analog-research-habitats on five continents.

Media Contact:
Mag. Monika Fischer
Media Officer
Austrian Space Forum
Tel: +43 699 1213 4610

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