While actual missions to Mars are still in the future, scientists and engineers worldwide are already actively preparing for them—on Earth. So-called analog missions simulate the conditions of life and work on other planets: from crew isolation and communication delays to using spacesuits in extreme environments. These simulations help test technologies, train participants, rehearse behavior in critical situations—and bring humanity one step closer to conquering deep space.

But what role do Armenian scientists and engineers play in these missions? What exactly are they working on during such expeditions, and how does it relate to real spaceflight? What is "Martian biology" and what kind of experiments are being conducted during analog missions in Armenia? These questions were addressed in the “Did You Know?” program by AMADEE-24 participant and director of the Institute of Molecular Biology of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, Arsen Arakelyan.

The interview series on science and technology is partnered by Team Telecom Armenia.

The Immune System Under Martian Stress

According to Arsen Arakelyan, during the international analog mission AMADEE-24 held in Armenia, researchers from the Institute of Molecular Biology, in collaboration with the Institute of Biomedicine of the Russian-Armenian University, conducted a study assessing the health and physical condition of mission participants—so-called analog astronauts.

"Astronauts must be in excellent physical shape to cope with demanding tasks and withstand extreme stress in extraterrestrial environments," Arakelyan explained. "That was the primary goal of our project during the mission."

The scientists conducted four rounds of blood sampling from the participants and analyzed changes in immune cells over time. The results were highly intriguing. They showed that in the early stages of the mission, the participants’ immune systems underwent intense activation, which in turn accelerated cellular aging. However, after some time, the indicators normalized—the body adapted, and immune parameters returned to baseline.

"We were particularly interested in this transition phase—the acute adaptation stage," Arakelyan noted. "If we can effectively intervene during this period, for example using nutraceuticals or pharmacological agents, it may be possible to reduce negative stress responses and increase astronauts' resilience to strain. This opens the door to more precise health management of crews in future interplanetary missions."

Can Space Be Simulated on Earth?

How accurately can data from Earth-based analog missions reflect real space conditions, considering that key factors such as cosmic radiation and zero gravity cannot be fully replicated on Earth?

"Of course, actual space missions involve many risks, and only some of these can be thoroughly studied in Earth-based analog settings. Others can only be approximated based on available data. However, it’s important that we study stress-related aspects—including physical and psycho-emotional stress—in a comprehensive way, even if not always on humans," said Arakelyan.

For example, the effects of space radiation are studied in laboratory settings using experimental animals—primarily mice.

"We expose lab mice to simulated cosmic radiation and then observe the long-term effects," Arakelyan explained. "Given that two years of a mouse’s life is roughly equivalent to 70 years in humans, we can study both short-term effects and long-term health impacts, including aging after exposure."

As for another key factor—altered gravity—its effects are examined both in ground-based labs and aboard the International Space Station.

"Researchers mainly study how the muscular, skeletal, and cardiovascular systems respond to reduced gravitational stress. These studies are crucial for understanding how the human body adapts to long-term weightlessness and how to prevent negative outcomes."

Thus, despite limitations, analog missions on Earth make it possible to simulate key parameters of future spaceflights and study the body's adaptation mechanisms—complemented by laboratory and orbital research.

Studying Isolation and Physical Strain

Research conducted during the AMADEE missions focuses on understanding how the human body and mind react to isolation, even over relatively short periods. Special attention is also paid to the impact of high physical loads on the participants’ bodies.

In some cases, the conditions created during analog missions have been even more extreme than those encountered in real spaceflight. For example, when astronauts exited the analog station and walked across terrain mimicking the Martian surface, they wore special spacesuits weighing around 50 kilograms.

However, on Earth, such suits feel significantly heavier than they would on Mars, where gravity is only about 30–40% that of Earth. This adds extra strain and helps model the extreme working conditions of crew members in interplanetary missions.