A PI’s Guide to Analog Research

Spaceflight Research in Analogs
- Analog missions prepare us for near-future exploration to asteroids, Mars, and the
moon.
- Not all experiments can be done in space – there is not enough time, money, equipment,
and crew time.
- Measures, countermeasures, procedures, and equipment can be tested in analogs to
address issues prior to flying them in space.
- Ground-based analog studies are completed more quickly and less expensively.
- Analogs provide conditions similar to some (but not all) conditions encountered in space
- Analogs provide a more “controlled” environment, often more repeatable scenarios, and
higher “n” than available in space