Ready for the 8i ILMAH mission to begin. Back row: Crew Commander Yuki “The Fonz” Nishimura and Mission Specialists Christy “Canvas” BoneFont and Salina “Nova” Pena. Front row: Flight Director Santiago “Santi” Arceneaux and Mission Specialist Larissa “Lunaria” Fernandes da Silva. Image courtesy of Travis Nelson.
By Christy BoneFont
Master’s Student, Space Studies
After spending two remarkable weeks living and working in the Integrated Lunar/Martian Analog Habitat (ILMAH) in May 2025, the American Public University System Analog Research Group (AARG) 8i mission crew approached the end of an incredible journey. Every day was a blend of challenges, discoveries and moments of camaraderie.
A Dynamic Start to the AARG 8i Mission
Our adventure kicked off with an energetic orientation led by Pranika Gupta, one of the University of North Dakota (UND) staff. Pranika guided us through the process of donning and doffing extravehicular activity (EVA) protective full-body gear. The suits were named the “Tangerine” EVA suit and the “Blueberry” EVA suit, due to the vibrant strips on the suits.
Donning each suit involved was a 30-minute routine, involving careful adjustments and plenty of laughter at our attempts to get into the EVA suits correctly. Soon after, Dr. Travis Nelson, from the UND Research Institute for Autonomous Systems (RIAS), took us on a lively rover joyride across ILMAH’s 11 acres. During the pre-mission training days, Dr. Nelson emphasized that safety and fun must go hand in hand.
Before the day ended, we improved ILMAH’s safety by installing a new handrail for the front stairs of ILMAH and signed consent forms that laid the groundwork for our experiments. That evening, we:
- Collected our first saliva cortisol samples
- Set up art activities for stress relief
- Shared our hopes and expectations for the 8i mission in a lively group discussion
Dealing with North Dakota’s Weather Challenges
Persistent bad weather influenced our schedule. Heavy rain and wet ground often kept us indoors, canceling outdoor EVAs and compelling us to adapt our plans accordingly.
Despite these setbacks, we maintained our scientific focus. Yuki and Salina meticulously recorded spirulina cell counts, while I checked moisture levels of our microgreens and analyzed the chemistry of duckweed. Continuous monitoring of CO2 temperature and humidity ensured our environment stayed within optimal parameters.
Maintaining ILMAH and Mental Resilience
The upkeep of ILMAH was a daily priority. We patched leaks with towels and did other maintenance work as needed.
Also, we updated our journals and took turns gazing through the telescope. Salina observed that using the telescope kept our spirits hopeful, even when clouds obscured our view. Her observation reminded us that setbacks are opportunities for learning.
Digital mental health tools, like the Noah AI® app, provided additional support. This AI-powered app helped us stay focused and positive as we dealt with occasional frustration.
Collecting Data and Exploring the Terrain around ILMAH
Our daily routine involved several tasks, including:
- Collecting cortisol samples
- Measuring water from duckweed tubs
- Counting spirulina cells
When the weather and terrain allowed, we donned our EVA suits and ventured into the rugged landscape. Afterwards, we had art expression time. Some of us sketched or painted, while others took photos.
One particularly memorable EVA allowed us to explore the terrain firsthand, which deepened our understanding of space analog challenges. These outdoor trips were limited by weather, but they were vital to our sense of teamwork.
Yuki captured drone data, which was to follow the EVA suits around obstacles. If we were on another planet, this information would be helpful for footage.
The drone did very well with the blueberry suit, and it had a few moments where it would not follow the tangerine suit. This research will help future drones understand what would help in this scenario.
Responding to Early Stress in Lab Cultures
At one point, Yuki detected early stress in two spirulina biobags, so we swiftly adjusted our environmental controls to optimize growing conditions. We documented every step of the growth process with photos and measurements.
Creative Breaks and Reflection
Our evenings were filled with activities that fostered creativity and team cohesion, such as journaling for the AWE Project and digital check-ins via the Noah app. These moments allowed us to decompress, reflect and share our insights.
The AWE Project is a program designed to enhance personal resilience and positive mental health. It helped us connect and become a better team, especially when we had moments of frustration.
It also includes breathing exercises, which helped us in so many stressful moments. We are forever thankful to Dr. Jeff Thompson, research scientist and founder of the AWE Project, for mentoring us through this mission and helping us learn something new.
Mid-Mission Milestones and Celebrations during the AARG 8i Mission
At the midpoint of the 8i mission, we celebrated with cortisol sampling and habitat inspections. We also ventured out for another outdoor EVA that helped Yuki to get data from the drone on:
- How it would follow someone in a spacesuit around obstacles, such as trees or the NASA capsule
- How the drone behaved after encountering obstacles – if it would continue moving or if it would stay in place
We noticed that it would follow my EVA suit more than other ones, and that was quite an interesting discovery. Perhaps it liked one color rather than another; we may never know.
The terrain exploration was filled with enthusiasm and humor. When we leaned over to pick up or carry something, maintaining our dexterity while wearing the EVA suit’s gloves was quite the challenge.
On trash runs, I dropped the bag a few times. Trying to open the door took teamwork and we had a lot of fun.
Overall, being in a heavy EVA suit require some time for adjusting to moving in a new way. The experience was quite different than expected, and it was a time I won’t forget.
The Final Days: Harvests, Reflections, and Farewells
As the 8i mission neared its end, we focused on harvesting the last spirulina samples. We got the samples ready for cryo-preservation and conducted water tests to verify the health of our microgreens and duckweed.
Overcast skies postponed stargazing, but our dedication to plant care and habitat monitoring persisted. We meticulously documented our findings and shared insights through Noah’s mental health activities.
Living in this habitat taught me that perseverance, adaptability, and caring for each other are keys to success in space. I will carry these lessons for life.” – MS Larissa Fernandes Da Silva
We tidied ILMAH, performed final inspections and donned our flight suits for the last time. We then packed our belongings and captured the final photos of ILMAH, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment.
This experience has transformed me. I’ve learned about resilience, space agriculture and the power of teamwork. I am grateful for every moment.” – MS Christy Bonefont
Lessons Learned and Future Inspiration from the 8i Mission
Our time at ILMAH has profoundly changed us. The data, samples and experiences we gathered will influence future space explorations.
This journey showed what humans can accomplish when we work together with patience and determination. I leave with new friendships and a deeper appreciation for our planet.” – CC Yuki Nishimura
As we prepared to return to our normal lives, we carried with us invaluable lessons and cherished memories of this analog mission experience. We also left with renewed confidence in the power of human connection, even in the most challenging environments.
Thank you for following our AARG 8i mission adventure. Together, we’re shaping the future of space exploration.
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About the Author
Christy BoneFont is currently pursuing a master’s degree in earth and planetary science at American Public University. 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 has participated in the NASA L’SPACE Mission Concept Academy and the NASA Proposal Writing and Evaluation Experience (NPWEE) program. Also, she is a NASA Finalist for the Lunar Autonomy Challenge. Christy serves as a NASA Climate Change Research Initiative Ambassador and Solar System Ambassador, focusing on public engagement with climate and space science. Christy has recently been chosen as a NASA Lucy Asteroid Ambassador.
Christy served as the onsite Flight Director for the AARG-1S mission to SAM at Biosphere 2 mission in Oracle, Arizona. 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). Christy recently accepted a permanent position with the Virginia Spaceport Authority in Wallops Island, VA.
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