Fitrockr & Garmin support Hypatia II simulation journey to Mars.

The Project

The mission of the Hypatia Mars Association is driven by three core objectives, each designed to bring space exploration and science closer to society while promoting diversity and excellence in STE(A)M careers:

• Advancing research excellence in space exploration.
• Engaging society through science and outreach activities.
• Promoting female role models in STE(A)M careers, particularly among girls and young women, to enhance representation and visibility across all fields of knowledge.

Hypatia Mars is a groundbreaking project aimed at inspiring the next generation, focusing especially on young girls and other underrepresented groups.

Juan R Gonzalez, Associate Research Professor and coordinator of Health Analytics Hub at ISGlobal, expressed his excitement for the mission and collaboration, stating, 

“As a data scientist and bioinformatician, I am excited to be part of this groundbreaking mission alongside Garmin and Fitrockr. While their advanced technology will allow us to monitor key physiological metrics, our team will also measure omic data (genomics and metabolomics) to assess the broader biological impacts of space travel. By combining these omic insights with the data made accessible by the Garmin Health Ecosystem and Fitrockr, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of long-term space missions on the human body. This collaboration is a perfect synergy that enhances our ability to advance space research while promoting diversity and excellence in STE(A)M careers. Collaborating with Garmin and Fitrockr enhances our mission’s impact and potential to make a lasting contribution to space exploration and society.”

The Mission

The ‘Hypatia’ missions consist of two-week expeditions to the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), a Martian analog station situated in the Utah desert, United States. During these missions, crews engage in high-quality space-related research and meticulously simulate their day-to-day life on Mars. Confined to a small space and deprived of the luxuries and resources of Earth, they experience the challenges that astronauts may face on the Red Planet.

These missions also serve as a platform to showcase female STE(A)M role models. Children and youth encounter real and relatable examples of contemporary scientists from various disciplines –including astrophysics, mathematics, engineering, and biology– among the crew members. The stories of these individuals have the potential to ignite inspiration in future generations, encouraging them to pursue careers in these fields.