Dr. Michaela Musilova is an award-winning astrobiologist, analog astronaut, and explorer specialising in life in extreme environments. She holds a PhD from the University of Bristol and has been conducting space-related research at institutions around the world, including NASA, ESA, CalTech, University College London, Chiba University, and international observatories including the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope.
She served as Director of HI-SEAS (Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation) from 2018 to 2022, where she commanded over 30 simulated missions to the Moon and Mars in collaboration with NASA, ESA, and international organisations - the most analog missions commanded on record. She was also the Commander of analog missions at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah, LunAres in Poland, and on underwater and ocean platforms.
Now, Dr. Musilova is pioneering Astro Seven Summits - a world-first project combining expeditions to the highest peak on each continent with scientific research in cooperation with NASA and institutions worldwide. She is one of very few people to have ever led research projects on all seven continents.
Currently, Dr. Musilova is President and Founder of XtremeFrontiers, a non-profit conducting scientific research and expeditions in cooperation with NASA. She is also a consultant for numerous companies across the globe for topics ranging from Mars missions all the way to museum exhibitions, such as for the Smithsonian. Additionally, Dr. Musilova is Global Faculty at the International Space University, a science communicator, science author and keynote speaker.
Dr. Musilova's research focuses on astrobiology and life in extreme environments, with particular emphasis on how analog missions inform the design and operation of future space habitats. Her work spans isolated, confined and extreme (ICE) environments on land, underwater, and at sea, providing a comparative perspective on how different analog settings prepare crews and engineers for real space missions.
Her operational experience across 40 analog missions covers life support management, EVA protocols, crew psychology, communication with Mission Control, and emergency response, including real system failures such as water supply loss during active missions. She has studied how habitat design directly affects crew performance, wellbeing, and mission outcomes.
Dr. Musilova has conducted astrobiological field research in polar and volcanic environments relevant to Moon and Mars geology, and collaborates with NASA, ESA, and research institutions worldwide on human factors, crew selection, and mission design.
Dr. Musilova has authored numerous publications spanning astrobiology, analog mission research, and space exploration.
De la Torre, G.G., Groemer, G., Diaz-Artiles, A., N. Pattyn, J. Van Cutsem, M. Musilova, et al. "Space Analogs and Behavioral Health Performance Research Review and Recommendations Checklist from ESA Topical Team." npj Microgravity, 2024.
De la Torre, G.G., Groemer, G., Diaz-Artiles, A., N. Pattyn, J. Van Cutsem, M. Musilova, et al. "Space Analogs and Behavioral Health Performance Research Review and Recommendations Checklist from ESA Topical Team." npj Microgravity, 2024.
Fishman, C.B., Bevilacqua, J. G., Hahn, A. S., Morgan-Lang, C., Wagner, N., Gadson, O., McAdam, A. C., Bleacher, J., Achilles, C., Knudson, C., Millan, M. M., Bower, D. M., Musilova, M. & Johnson, S. S. (2023). "Extreme Niche Partitioning and Microbial Dark Matter in a Mauna Loa Lava Tube." Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 128:6, e2022JE007283, doi: https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JE007283
Millan, M., Napoleoni, M., McAdam, A. C., Bower, D. M., Knudson, C. A., Achilles, C., Fishman, C., Bleacher, J. E., Young, K. & Musilova, M. (2022). "Organic Molecules in Secondary Mineral Deposits of Mauna Loa Lava Tubes, Hawaii, as Analogs for Mars: Implications for Martian Habitability and Exploration." Proceedings of the 44th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, July 16-24, 2022. Abstract F3.3-0001-22.
Pouwels, C., Nunes, A. P. C. P., Musilova, M., Toop-Rose, J., Poli, E. C. & Foing, B. (2022). "An Endorsement to Utilize Terrestrial Analogs as Support for the Upcoming Artemis Missions." Proceedings of the 53rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, March 7-11, 2022, The Woodlands, Texas, USA. LPI Contribution No. 2678, 2022, id.1902
McAdam, A. C., Achilles, C., Bower, D. M., Fishman, C., Millan, M., Johnson, S., Napoleoni, M., Knudson, C. A., Weng, M., Bleacher, J. E., Arevalo, R. D., Musilova, M., & Young, K. (2021). "Investigation of a Mars-Analog Basaltic Subsurface Lava Tube Environment." Workshop on Terrestrial Analogs for Planetary Exploration 2021, Online, 16-18 June 2021, LPI Contribution No.2595, 8074.pdf
Musilova, M., McAdam, A. C., Richardson, J. A. , Young, K., Bleacher, J. E., Achilles, C., Bower, D. M., Fishman, C., Johnson, S., Millan, M., Napoleoni, M., Knudson, C. A., Wagner, N. Y., Schmerr, N. C., Shiro, B. & Rogers, H. (2021). "Lunar and Martian lava tube research simulation at HI-SEAS." LPSC 52 Virtual Conference, 15-19 March 2021, LPI contrib.no. 2548, 2600.pdf
Seto, E.P., Zacny, K., and Musilova, M. (2021). "Astronaut drilling simulation for sign of life." LPSC 52 Virtual Conference, 15-19 March 2021, LPI Contrib.no. 2548, 1738.pdf
Romo, R., Andersen, C., K. Edison, M. Musilova, et al. "Analog Field Sites on Hawai'i Island." Earth and Space 2021, ASCE, 2021.
Musilova, M., A. Nunes, S. Kerber, et al. "The Second EuroMoonMars IMA at HI-SEAS Field Campaign." EPSC Conference, 2020.
Kerber, S., M. Musilova, B. Foing. "The Human Factors of Additive Manufacturing on Human Extra-Terrestrial Missions." EGU General Assembly, 2020.
Pouwels, C.R., G.W.W. Wamelink, M. Musilova, et al. "Food for Extra-Terrestrial Astronaut Missions on Native Soil." 51st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, 2020.
Fishman, C., Johnson, S., Wagner, Y. Y., Achilles, C., Bower, D. M., Bevilacqua, J. G., Hahn, A., Vanderwilt, M., Millan, M., Meiqi Weng, M., Gadson, O.M., Bleacher, J. E., Young, K., Musilova, M., & McAdam, A. (2020). "Microbial Life in Mauna Loa Lava Tubes as a Martian Analog." American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Online, 1-17 December 2020
Millan, M., Napoleoni, M., McAdam, A. C., Bower, D. M., Knudson, C. A., Achilles, C., Fishman, C., Bleacher, J. E., Young, K., Musilova, M., & Johnson, S., (2020). "Organic Characterization of Mauna Loa Lava Tubes, Hawaii, as Analogs for Mars: Implications for Martian Habitability and Exploration." American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Online, 1-17 December 2020
Musilova, M., H. Rogers, B. Foing. "Analogue Research Performed at the HI-SEAS Research Station in Hawaii." Geophysical Research Abstracts, 2019.
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Platform access opens Q1 2027 with first course in Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). Express interest here and subscribe for enrollment updates.
Platform access opens Q1 2027 with first course in Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). Express interest below and subscribe for enrollment updates.
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