BelFone Supports International Scientists for Space Research Project

Radio communications plays an important role to coordinate activities in the bunker among the crew, as well as with the Habitat’s staff.

Shortly into 2021, Mars received multiple visitors. NASA’s rover Perseverance made a perfect landing; spacecraft from China and UAE arrived the Red Planet’s orbit. Meanwhile, an unheard-of town in Poland has become a surprising destination for space fans. An over 10 days space simulation in a former nuclear bunker in northwest Poland is offering aspiring astronauts the opportunity to book a post-lockdown break that’s out of this world.

Benjamin Pothier, PhD, a Fellow International FI'18 of the Explorers and an expert for the human spaceflight committee of the International Astronautical Federation, recently has completed his two-week experiment as the crew leader and talked to radiochina.info about the project and his experience at Habitat Lunares in Poland, a specialized facility for simulating manned space missions on the Moon and Mars.

Dr. Pothier says, “Mission Orpheus was a very successful one. We started it in middle February and every two days the crew conducted simulations of extra vehicular activities as if we were on the surface of the moon, testing gears and concept operations in a 200 square meters indoor test zone covered with moon soil simulant. We had no access to daylight and were on a strict frozen dried food diet. I conducted a Neurofeedback study during the mission that could be useful for future long length space missions to Mars.”

As an experienced explorer, Pothier was appointed the leader for the international crew of 5 analogue astronauts. Besides his own study, his daily routine included facilitating and participating cross-disciplinary projects. For example, they conducted their “moon landings” with two people at a time going for ‘moon walks’ with the resident lunar rover, Leo, in the afternoons.

“I brought radios of my own to Lunares, since my past experience with adventurous projects prove that two-way radios are the best tool for group communications whenever we need it,” said Pothier, “Actually the radios played an important role to coordinate our activities in the bunker among the crew, as well as with the Habitat’s staff. I used BelFone TD950 radios. The signal was always reliable and the voice very clear.”