As we look back on 2025 we celebrate a year marked by the World’s Biggest Analog, a Vertical Treadmill in full swing, and the expansion of our educational initiatives. From connecting 16 analog habitats worldwide to training the next generation of space explorers, here are the most memorable pictures and videos from 2025.

1STEMMOS: Connecting Classrooms to Space Research
STEMMOS (Satellite Observation of Earth, Moon, and Mars in Schools) brought space science to hundreds of students across Europe. This international collaboration, led by Cosmos Education CLG with partners from Portugal, Greece, Bulgaria, and Austria, developed first training tools for EMMO (Earth, Moon, Mars) science this year. Virtual visits to our Suitlab in Innsbruck and the Mission Support Center in Vienna enabled students to experience space research firsthand.

2Behind the Scenes: AMADEE-24 Workshop
The AMADEE-24 Lessons Learned Workshop at our Mission Support Center in Vienna transformed insights from the April 2024 Armenia Mars analog mission into action. Mission teams from all areas gathered to discuss feedback, establishing the foundation for systematic improvements. This collaborative approach ensures targeted implementation of key findings as we prepare for our next AMADEE simulations.

3 CASSINI Hackathon for the first time in Western Austria
The CASSINI Hackathon Austria edition demonstrated the potential of European space infrastructure benefitting terrestrial health applications. Three winning solutions emerged: TERRAMED, a predictive platform forecasting malaria risk using satellite data; UrbiScore, making urban stress visible through space-based monitoring; and Eclipse, dynamic emergency response routing powered by satellite intelligence. © OeWF/Leon Krieger

4AMADEE-24 Results Presented in Armenia
At the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, we showcased the first results from our AMADEE-24 Mars simulation to academy dignitaries. A group of teenagers bursting with excitement about Mars exploration joined the discussion, eager to learn how they can get involved in space research. The future of space exploration looks bright!

5Planetary Defense Conference in South Africa
The Planetary Defense Conference 2025 in South Africa brought together global experts to discuss asteroid and comet threats. OeWF Senior Advisor Dr. Rudolf Albrecht addressed geopolitical and legal aspects of planetary defense scenarios. This contribution highlights OeWF’s multidisciplinary approach from planetary analogs to space policy. 2029 will mark the International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defense.

6High-Level Visit to OeWF Innsbruck
Secretary of State Alexander Pröll from the Federal Chancellery visited our Innsbruck Spacesuit laboratory. OeWF Director Gernot Grömer presented current research projects and demonstrated the ESA Vertical Treadmill. Our site is Austria´s official ESA Ground-Based Facility and contributes to strengthening the national space sector. The visit underscored the importance of international cooperation and the potential of space exploration for Austria’s economy. © BKA-Andy Wenzel

7EXPLORE 1: First Student-Led Mars Simulation Complete
Students from Austria, Greece, and Portugal completed five days of authentic Mars analog mission experience in Alqueva, Portugal. From EVAs in DELTA suits to managing habitat systems, they demonstrated remarkable maturity and professionalism. International STEAM missions like EXPLORE-1 show students firsthand how science advances through collaboration, preparing them to become future scientists and explorers. These students are the future leaders who will take us to Mars.

8Hypogravity Research: Vertical Treadmill Study
This year we hosted a Hypogravity Vertical Treadmill Facility Study, investigating human movement and respiration in lunar and Martian gravity conditions. In collaboration with the Medical Universities of Vienna and Graz under the ESA CORA programme, participants completed exhaustive treadmill sessions while suspended in a partial gravity simulator wearing a lower-body exoskeleton. The study ran from July 28 to August 19 at the ESA ground-based facility operated by the OeWF in Innsbruck, providing medical data for future astronaut health and mission planning.

9OeWF Education in Action
Young explorers donned into children’s spacesuits and completed tasks inspired by Analog Astronaut training. From communication challenges to sample collection and fine-motor exercises, they experienced what it truly feels like to work in space. We offer hands-on, science-filled workshops that bring space exploration directly to schools and educational institutions, turning curiosity into unforgettable learning moments.

10 International Collaboration: Visit from Brazil
Professor Júlio Rezende from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte and director of Habitat Marte visited the OeWF Suitlab on December 1. During his visit, he explored our spacesuit simulator program and experienced the ESA Ground-Based Facility VTF firsthand, taking a walk on “Mars” using the vertical treadmill. Habitat Marte is a vibrant analog research station in the Southern Hemisphere, and we collaborated with them during the World’s Biggest Analog.

11Inspiring the Next Generation
Analog astronaut Dr. Anika Mehlis captivated audiences at the Robo4YOU anniversary, sharing insights into robotics in space and how analog missions help to prepare for future Mars missions. She showed young talents how exciting and diverse a career in science and technology can be. At OeWF, we believe inspiring young people is the key to innovation and progress. © Ingeborg Zeh

12World’s Biggest Analog: Largest Synchronized Analog Mission
The World’s Biggest Analog became reality in October 2025 after more than 2 years of preparation. The OeWF hosted the MICO-VIE (Mission Coordination Center Vienna) and became the coordination hub for the mission. For the first time, 16 analog Moon/Mars habitats across 5 continents simulated at the same time a Moon or Mars scenario on Earth, involving 200 scientists from 25 countries. The mission demonstrated the power of international collaboration and the spirit of exploration, setting new standards for future analog missions. The photo shows the final group photo of the MICO-VIE team.

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