SEA STAR Crew Completes Five-Day Underwater Analog Mission at Florida’s Jules’ Lab
Dr. Michaela Musilova and three crewmates completed a five-day simulated space mission at the Jules' Undersea Lab near Key Largo, Florida. The team lived 22 feet underwater to study isolation and operational challenges relevant to long-duration Mars missions. The habitat, originally a mobile barge from the 1970s, now serves as a fixed research station. Crew members performed daily tasks, cognitive tests, and scuba 'spacewalks' without returning to the surface. The high-pressure environment eliminated the need for additional exercise, while strict schedules mimicked International Space Station routines. Despite the isolation, the crew reported a peaceful experience, noting that the alien underwater view and life support systems effectively simulated extraterrestrial conditions.