An aspiring Irish astronaut is currently on board a simulated space mission in Poland. Dubliner Cillian Murphy is an ‘analog’ astronaut for the mission, used for technical tests and simulations to enhance space exploration. The HECATE (Human Exploration in a Closed Analog Terrestrial Environment) mission at the LunAres Research Station in Poland is a two-week simulated space mission aimed at recreating conditions on board flight to the moon. “We haven’t had an Irish astronaut in the ESA before and it would be incredible to represent Ireland in that capacity”, he said. The LunAres station is located on the grounds of a former military airport, and simulates all the conditions of space travel and space research minus the zero gravity.

Source: Irish Independent May 20, 2021 19:30 UTC