The Philippine Space Agency invites everyone to join the Analog Habitat Waypoint, an immersive learning platform on analog missions and their role in human spaceflight preparation.  

In partnership with the Batangas State University – The National Engineering University (BatStateU – TNEU), the Analog Habitat Waypoint will run from April to September 2026. This program begins with a six-part online lecture series exploring the science, engineering, operations, and human factors behind analog missions. 

Participants will also have the chance to join the 24-hour simulated analog mission, experiencing firsthand the challenges of living and working in a space habitat environment.  

Analog missions recreate key aspects of lunar or Martian habitats on Earth. This includes habitat isolation, communication delays, resource limitations, and realistic mission scenarios. These simulations play a vital role in advancing human spaceflight by testing systems, refining procedures, and strengthening crew readiness before spaceflight.  

Learning series on analog missions  

The mission begins with a six-part lecture series conducted biweekly from 06 April to 15 June 2026 via MS Teams. Participants will explore every aspect of an analog mission from the history, purpose, and roles of analog astronauts. The habitat design, mission experiments, spacesuits, life support systems, mission control operations, and ground support will be tackled. Each session will provide participants with theoretical knowledge to understand how analog missions work to prepare humans for space exploration.  

At the end of the lecture series, participants will complete an assessment and the group pitch, demonstrating the technical learnings and teamwork skills.  

Ms. Kristine Jane S. Atienza, the first Filipino analog astronaut who participated in a six-day mission at the Hawai‘i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS), will lead the lecture series. She will be joined by PhilSA experts who will also provide insights on analog missions. Ms. Atienza is a certified spaceflight trainee at the National Aerospace Training and Research (NASTAR) Center, a registered nutritionist-dietitian, and founder of the Space Nutrition Network and the Community of Human Analogue Space Missions Philippines (CHASM-PH). 

Schedule:  

Date Topic Description
06 April 2026
  • Introduction
  • History and purpose of analog missions and astronauts 
  • An introduction to PhilSA and the Analog Habitat Waypoint; 
  • Discussion on interdisciplinary activities and studies on space situational awareness, space observation, space exploration, and space environment utilization 
  • Lecture on the historical development of space analog missions and their role in human spaceflight preparation 
20 April 2026
  • Analog habitats and experiments
  • Discussion on the types of analog habitats and experiments (scientific, operational and human-centered) conducted within analog environments to simulate space mission conditions 
04 May 2026
  • Space suits and life support systems
  • Lecture on the fundamental components and functions of space suits and life support systems in maintaining human survivability in extreme environment
18 May 2026
  • Mission control and ground support
  • Discussion on the role of mission control and ground support teams in crewed missions
  • Lecture on the communication, monitoring, and decision-making processes during missions along with the importance of coordination between the crew and ground teams for mission success 
01 June 2026
  • Mission planning and requirements development 
  • Activity: Post-test  
  • Discussion on the mission planning lifecycle from objectives to execution 
  • Identification of constraints related to safety, resources, timeline, and crew capabilities 
  • Assessment of the participants’ understanding of analog mission concepts, systems, and operations 
15 June 2026
  • Group proposal pitch
  • Application of lecture concepts in developing a coherent analog mission proposal

Please be advised that the schedule is subject to change. Participants will be notified of schedule changes in advance.  

A Certificate of Completion will be awarded to participants who attend at least 80% of the lecture sessions, successfully pass the post-test, and submit the required group mission pitch. 

Only 100 participants will be accepted for the lecture series. Register now until 31 March 2026.: https://bit.ly/ANAHAWLectureSeries 

Following the lecture series, selected participants will have the chance to be a part of the 24-hour immersive analog mission, where the crew members will live and operate inside a simulated space habitat environment that is designed to replicate the isolation and confinement effects of space missions. More information on the analog mission will be shared during the sessions.  

For inquires, email info@philsa.gov.ph