Österreichisches Weltraum Forum Austrian Space Forum
Analog Astronauts
Analog astronauts are specifically trained spacesuit tester. After an extensive selection process they run through a several month long basic training. Analog astronauts are used for technical tests and Mars simulations.
OeWF analog astronauts are specifically trained for the OeWF Mars spacesuit simulator “Aouda” and are assigned “in analogy to” future human (Mars) expeditions for preparatory research and development projects.
This article is available in: German
Dr. Gernot Groemer
Analog Astronaut since 2003
Mars-Simulations: MDRS Crew 11 + 47 (AustroMars), MARS2013 Morocco, AMADEE-18 Oman. 12 missions in total.
EVA hours: > 113 h
Career: Born 1975, Gernot Groemer holds a masters degree in astronomy and a PhD in exploration astrobiology (Leopold-Franzens University, Innsbruck), International Space University summer school (Houston/Texas), lecturer at the International Space University and the University of Innsbruck. Member of the Space Generation Advisory Council (Board of Mentors). Flight Crew 37th ESA Parabolic Flight Campaign. Programme Management Group AustroMars and PolAres. Teaches and does research at the Univ. Innsbruck in the field of human Mars exploration and Astrobiology. 30 min of Zero-G. Dr. Groemer led 12 Mars expedition simulations, including the Northern Sahara, Utah and southern Spain and leads the development of the experimental spacesuit simulator Aouda.X.
This article is available in: German
Dr. Stefan Dobrovolny
Analog Astronaut since 2015
Mars-Simulations: AMADEE-15, AMADEE-18
EVA hours: > 31 h
Career: Born 1990, originally from Mürzsteg, Styria he studied medicine at the Medical University in Vienna. In his free time he is volunteering as paramedic at the Red Cross Austria as well as at the Austrian Mountain Rescue Team, where he is not only in charge of the medical training and of medical equipment but also is trained Squad Leader. He speaks german, english, as well as some swedish and spanish.
This article is available in: German
Dr. Carmen Köhler
Analog Astronaut since 2015
Mars-Simulations: AMADEE-15, AMADEE-18
EVA hours: > 34 h
Career: Born in Berlin, Germany, in 1980. After studying mathematics and meteorology at the Free University of Berlin, she completed her PhD in physics of the atmosphere magna cum laude. Currently, she is founder and CEO of P3R GmbH, a company which works in the sectors of AI programming, photovoltaics and public relations. Within the “Stiftung erste Deutsche Astronautin GmbH” and “Astronautin GmbH” she works as Education & Outreach Scientist und as Astronaut Support. She is also a board member of the non-profit organisation Full Stack Embedded e.V.. This organisation enables students in West Africa with their effort to become self-sustaining in their technical development. She is fluent in German, English and Italian and speaks French and Spanish.
This article is available in: German
João Lousada, MSc
Analog Astronaut since 2015
Mars-Simulations: AMADEE-15, AMADEE-18
EVA hours: > 40 h
Career: Born in Portugal in 1989. Studied Aerospace Engineering in Lisbon, doing his master thesis at the University of Victoria, Canada, on satellite attitude determination and control. He has worked in assembly integration and testing of satellites and presently works as Flight Director for the ISS Columbus Module at the German Space Operations Center in Munich, Germany, for GMV. Lousada is involved in several non-governmental organizations such as the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), where he helps foster opportunities for students and young professionals in the field of space. He has taken part in several Mars analog missions, has been deputy commander during AMADEE-18 and will be the commander for AMADEE-20. Lousada is a certified parachutist and Master SCUBA diver. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese and speaks German.
This article is available in: German
Iñigo Muñoz Elorza, MSc
Analog Astronaut since 2015
Mars-Simulations: AMADEE-15, AMADEE-18
EVA hours: 52 h
Career: Born in San Sebastián, Spain in 1979. With a multidisciplinary education, he studied Economics at the DHBW in Karlsruhe, Germany, and continued with aerospace engineering at the UPM in Madrid. Later, he finished his MSc in Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Valencian International University, Spain. He has been linked to operations, both aerial and space related, through most of his career, e.g. as Airworthiness Manager for the Aerial Surveys company HIFSA in Madrid or Fleet Supervisor for the Spanish Maritime Safety and Rescue Agency SASEMAR, and as Operation Engineer for ISS experiments at the E-USOC in Madrid, or as an Astronaut Instructor at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne. He joined the GfR’s Galileo Control Centre in Munich as a Mission Operations Engineer for HE Space Operations GmbH, and currently is the Training Manager there. He is fluent in Spanish, German, English and speaks Italian. He is a certified skydiver, paraglider pilot, and diver.
This article is available in: German
Dr. Adam Crellin
Analog Astronaut since 2019
Career: Born in 1993 in Whitehaven. Bachelor in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Newcastle, Master in Space Physiology and Health from King’s College London. He is a co-founding member of the Human Spaceflight Capitalisation Office (HuSCO) and a National Point of Contact for the Student European Low Gravity Research Association. He studied Medicine at the University of Oxford and the British Army Reserve, and works as a Space Life Science Consultant. In his spare time, he is a seasoned scuba diver and mountaineer.
This article is available in: German
Dr. Adrianos Golemis
Analog Astronaut since 2019
Career: Born 1987, lives in Germany, originally from Greece. Medical study Doctor at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Master’s degree in Space Studies at the International Space University, France, and EASA Basic Short Courses on Aviation Medicine, King’s College London. Participation in 14-month program of medical research in isolated Antarctic Analogue studies (Concordia Station, IPEV/ESA). Currently employed as flight surgeon, monitoring astronaut health during spaceflight. Dr.Golemis is fluent in Greek, English, French, good on German and has basic knowledge of Italian
This article is available in: German
Anika Mehlis
Analog Astronaut since 2019
Career: BBorn 1981 in Germany. Biology studies with focus on Microbiology at the Free University of Berlin, as well as Engineering for Environmental Technology and Recycling at the University of Applied Sciences Zwickau. Working experience as chemical-technical assistant at an environmental lab and as lecturer at University Plauen and as a team leader in “infection protection and environmental medicine” in the Health Department Plauen, Germany. Currently PhD studies in Public Health at Bielefeld University and research associate at the Academy for Public Health Service in Düsseldorf. She is mother to three daughters. Anika Mehlis has an Advanced Open Water diver license, is fluent in German and English and has basic knowledge of French, Spanish and Latin.
This article is available in: German
Dr. Simone Paternostro
Analog Astronaut since 2019
Career: Born in 1986 in Italy. Bachelor degree in Aerospace Engineering, Master’s degree in Space Engineering as well as a 2nd level Master’s degree in Space Transportation Systems and a PhD in Engineering Surveying and Space Geodesy. AOCS/GNC intern at EADS Astrium (now Airbus Group), followed by a research position at the Institute for Aerospace Technology, Univ. of Nottingham. Currently he is employed as Multi-Increment Payload Planner/Complement Requirements Manager at ESTEC where he manages payloads on board of the ISS (International Space Station). Dr. Paternostro fluently speaks Italian and English and has a basic knowledge of German.
This article is available in: German
Alon Tenzer
Analog Astronaut since 2019
Career: From Israel. Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Computer Science and Aviation Science at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Master of Science in Neuroscience at the Weizmann-Institute of Science, Israel. A veteran of the Israeli Air Force, where among other positions served as a software developer & team leader. He also worked as a researcher and data-scientist at Weizmann-Institute of Science. Currently working as a senior AI engineer in Singapore, building artificial-intelligence-based solutions for various companies. Alon Tenzer is an Advanced Open Water diver and A License Skydiver, he is fluent in Hebrew and English and has basic knowledge of French and Chinese.
This article is available in: German
Dr. Thomas Wijnen
Analog Astronaut since 2019
Career: Born in the Netherlands in 1986. Mathematics and Physics & Astronomy studies at the University of Utrecht. Research internship at the Universidad de Valparaiso, Chile. PhD in Astrophysics. Captain in the Royal Netherlands Air Force Reserve. He currently works at the Technical University of Delft on satellite tracking and characterisation. Dr. Wijnen holds an advanced open water diving and a parachute license and is fluent in Dutch and English. His language skills include intermediate Spanish as well as basic French and German.
This article is available in: German
Dr. Robert Wild
Analog Astronaut since 2019
Career: Born in 1982 in Vienna. BSc degree in Physics at the University of Arizona and PhD in Physics at the University of Colorado. His research topics have included matter wave diffraction, the quantum mechanics of ultracold atoms, and laser-based trace gas detection. Currently, his focus is on laboratory studies of interstellar ions as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Innsbruck. He has published in scientific journals and is a trained Wilderness First Responder, Advanced Open Water Diver and fluently speaks English and German and has good command of Spanish.
This article is available in: German
Liad Yosef
Analog Astronaut since 2019
Career: From Israel. Bachelor degree in Mathematics at the Hebrew University Jerusalem and in Economics at the Tel Aviv University. He served in the Israeli Air Force (Talpiot Project) in the rank of Captain. In 2018 he took part in the ISU Space Studies Program. Currently he is an architect at Duda, Inc. He participated in a Mars analog mission in Israel as an analog astronaut as part of the DMars organization and is currently studying artificial intelligence in a study program in Israel. Besides Hebrew, Mr. Yosef is fluent in English and has good knowledge of Spanish.
This article is available in: German