The AARG-1S crew poses outside the SAM at the Biosphere 2 habitat. The crew includes both the Blue and Red Teams as well as Mission Flight Director Christy BoneFont and Mission Control Capcom Adeyemisi Oni. Image courtesy of Kristen Miller.
By Christy BoneFont
Master’s Student, Space Studies
and Kristen Miller
Professor, Space Studies
During a 10-day period in February 2025, the American Public University System Analog Research Group (AARG) participated in the AARG-1S mission. This mission took place at the Space Analog for the Moon and Mars (SAM) at the Biosphere 2 habitat in Oracle, Arizona. It also included a unique experience: a shift change between two crews: the Blue Team and the Red Team.
Why Practicing Crew Shift Changes During the AARG-1S Mission Was Helpful
Shift changes are a necessity on the International Space Station (ISS), and they will certainly be required in future space exploration ventures on the Moon and Mars. The AARG-1S mission represented the first time a full crew change was attempted in a private analog habitat.
For the AARG-1S mission, the crew shift change between the Blue Team and the Red Team signified not only a change in personnel, but also a vital transfer of knowledge and experiences.
The AARG-1S mission included two complete crews, each with its own crew commander, safety officer, and research specialists. Preparation for the mission began in 2023. The eight-person crew met regularly during that time as both a complete crew and as individual teams. They worked together to plan the mission and also formed and strengthened their team’ bonds.
The AARG-1S mission began with the Blue Team entering the habitat. This team had the challenge of initiating all of the research studies to be performed and to maintain the habitat. As the first crew to live and work in the habitat, there were many unforeseen challenges that went beyond their initial training.
The crew relied on each other as well as the support of the onsite AARG Capcom and SAM at Biosphere 2 Mission Control personnel to overcome these challenges. They successfully initiated six unique research studies. In addition, they established and maintain optimal environmental controls, including air pressure and CO2 levels, within the close, pressurized SAM at the Biosphere 2 habitat.
Mission Specialist Clarke Ferrara of the Blue Team observed that their experiences, whether that involved cooking or conducting experiments, only strengthened their team’s bonds. “We’re all here to contribute to something greater than ourselves; it’s an incredible feeling,” she says.
Switching Over to the Red Team
The crew switch, which took place on Day 5, was a carefully planned operation reflecting the essence of teamwork. The Blue Team echoed this sentiment. They enthusiastically shared their experiences, advice and lessons learned with the Red Team to establish a supportive atmosphere.
We were eager to learn from the Blue Team’s insights and carry their legacy forward!” Crew Commander Laura Reiske, Red Team
The two teams spent three hours together in the habitat. The Blue Team shared the lessons they learned about habitat maintenance and care and updated the Red Team on the status of each research project.
The Blue and Red Teams found it most helpful to work in pairs. Each pair consisted of an incoming and an outgoing team member to maximize training and instruction during their limited time together.
Projects were divided among these pairs so that each pair focused on a single research project. This strategy ensured that incoming team members were well versed on the progress and next steps for their assigned research studies.
Working in pairs also enabled incoming crew members to ask questions about procedures and observe the techniques employed by the Blue Team. To ensure research method validity, it was a critical opportunity to ensure that the procedures, timing and data collection methods would be identical for both teams.
Finally, the Blue Team shared data they collected on maintaining habitat pressure. Using this data as a baseline allowed the Red Team to perform additional pressure tests, which will be critical for the next phase of habitat development. The two-team approach of the AARG-1S mission allowed each group to specialize in a different aspect of testing the pressurized environment.
When we all gathered in the habitat, it felt like we were part of something bigger, united in our purpose.” – Mission Specialist Yuki Nishimura, Blue Team
It is a very different experience to step into a smoothly functioning operational environment, and the Red Team was determined to take advantage of the mission’s positive momentum to achieve and exceed AARG-1S mission goals. The knowledge imparted by the Blue Team and their efforts in laying the groundwork for the second half of the mission were critical in the overall success of the combined crew.
It felt surreal to step into this legacy. We were ready to tackle the challenges and continue the groundbreaking work.” – Mission Specialist Aedanaya Diamond, Red Team
Lessons Learned from the AARG-1S Mission
One lesson learned from the AARG-1S mission was the importance of using a team approach on the pre-mission development of the research projects. AARG missions have typically involved individual projects in the past.
Each research study for the AARG-1S mission was developed by a team that included:
- The research lead (the project originator/owner)
- Two crew members (one from the Blue Team and another from the Red Team)
- An AARG Research Coordination Team member
- A faculty subject matter expert
Crew members were assigned to projects based on their experience and interests. Including crew members in the research groups ensured that there was always one person in the habitat with a clear understanding of the project’s purpose and procedures. That person could also advise other crew members who assisted with the project during the mission.
The presence of an “on the ground” expert was especially essential, given the 20-minute communications time delay imposed by Mission Control. That delay prohibited the ability to receive immediate answers for any unanticipated issues in regard to the experiments.
Creating Cohesion and Community
An interesting aspect of the crew shift change was the opportunity for Red Team and Blue Team members to take turns serving as the onsite Mission Control Capcom (MCC) team for their compatriots in the habitat.
There were no outside communications from the habitat during the mission; MCC was the crew’s only link to the outside world. The Red Team began the mission by providing MCC communications for the Blue Team, who took over the role after leaving the habitat.
The unique nature of the AARG-1S mission allowed the crews to evaluate the impact of prior experience on both the MCC and crew role. The Blue Team had the benefit of familiarity with the habitat operating procedures when they provided MCC support for the Red Team’s mission.
Similarly, the Red Team used the knowledge they gained from their experience as MCC during their mission. Providing support for the challenges that arose during the Blue Team’s mission gave the Red Team an advantage during their time in the habitat. In addition, they also felt more confident in the Blue Team’s ability to provide the answers and information that they needed.
This mission is about more than just data; it’s about building a foundation for future explorations.” – Crew Commander Laura Reiske, Red Team
Both teams confirmed that having experience improved the crew’s ability to successfully complete their roles as both crew and MCC. This information mirrors the experiences reported by NASA astronauts on board the space shuttle and the International Space Station.
Today, NASA requires all Capcom to have prior astronaut experience before filling the role. The AARG-1S mission indicates that this same requirement may be important for commercial and civilian space exploration endeavors moving forward as well.
The Journey Continues
As we look ahead, curiosity and a shared passion for discovery will continue to drive this remarkable journey on Mars. We celebrate the hard work of both teams and eagerly anticipate the next mission!
About the Authors
Christy BoneFont is a dedicated non-traditional student at American Public University, pursuing a master’s degree in earth and planetary science. She has an associate degree in space studies and a bachelor’s degree in space studies with a concentration in aerospace science from American Public University.
Christy’s ethnic background consists of her Cherokee, Seneca, and Mohawk heritage, which has created in her a deep respect for nature, community, and the interconnectedness of all living things. Additionally, her Spanish Chicano heritage is a blend of diverse cultural influences that have shaped her perspectives and aspirations.
Christy has participated in the NASA L’SPACE Mission Concept Academy and the NPWEE program. She is a NASA Finalist for the Lunar Autonomy Challenge and serves as a NASA Climate Change Research Initiative Ambassador and Solar System Ambassador, focusing on public engagement with climate and space science.
Christy also served as the on-site Flight Director for the AARG-1S mission to SAM at Biosphere 2 mission in Oracle, Arizona and will serve as a Mission Specialist for the AARG-8i mission at the ILMAH habitat in North Dakota in May 2025. She is also the president of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), the vice president of the Association of Women in Science (AWIS), and a life member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS).
Dr. Kristen Miller is a professor of Space Studies. She holds a B.S. in physics from Brigham Young University; a M.S. in astronomy from the University of Maryland, College Park; and a Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Maryland, College Park. Currently, Dr. Miller leads the Analog Research Group, which recruits and trains teams of students to participate in analog research missions.
She also leads the Supernova Search Program, a program dedicated to detecting supernovae and other transient objects in nearby galaxies and co-leads the Exoplanet Transit Group, which uses photometric studies of transits to confirm exoplanet detections. Dr. Miller is the faculty advisor of the student chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). She also serves on a variety of committees at the University.
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