Jennifer Pouplin with the Poland Mars Analogue Simulation crew. (Pouplin is third from the right, top.)

Imagine working and living inside a simulated Mars colony for two weeks. If you're AAE PhD student Jennifer Pouplin (MS '16), that's a dream come true. She participated in the Poland Mars Analogue Simulation.

Pouplin was one of six volunteer astronauts who worked through a realistic schedule of space exploration while living inside the simulated Mars colony in Poland.

The experiment is designed to support real missions to Mars.

“This was a tremendous opportunity for me to experience what life is like for astronauts and produce data to help future missions to Mars,” Pouplin says.

A video recorded at the simulation site provides a closer look at the experiment.

Pouplin’s trip was made possible through the generosity of our donors.