On 6 March, the Space Astronomy Group of the Complutense University of Madrid (AEGORA) used the facilities of the Space Operations Centre of the Complutense University of Madrid to participate in the connection between the lunar base simulators EMMIHS23 in Hawaii and EMMPOL15 in Poland promoted by the Lunar Explorers Society (LUNEX).

LUNEX organises and promotes the development of simulated lunar missions across several countries. EMMBA (EuroMoonMars-International MoonBase Alliance) missions replicate the working environment and living conditions of future lunar bases. Scientists and technologists from all over the world undergo a demanding selection process to live in the same conditions of isolation, work, food and exercise as on future moonbases. Stays on these lunar base analogues last from five days to several weeks during which participants conduct their own experiments while their physical and psychological conditions are monitored in detail from mission control centres.

Both the AEGORA-UCM Research Project of the Faculty of Mathematical Sciences of the Complutense University of Madrid (Departmental Unit of Astronomy and Geodesy) and LUNEX participate in the EU-funded EuroSpaceHub project. This project aims to create a European Innovation Ecosystem to digitally connect academia, research, industry and start-ups to obtain the maximum possible return on innovation in the space sector.

Link to the broadcast of the event on YouTube

Images of the control centre of the AEGORA research group of the Complutense University during the event.