Dr. Michaela Musilova is an astrobiologist, analog astronaut, and explorer specialising in life in extreme environments. She holds a PhD from the University of Bristol and has conducted research at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 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 has also commanded analog missions at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah, and on underwater and ocean platforms.
Dr. Musilova is also 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.
Currently, she is President and Founder of XtremeFrontiers, a non-profit conducting research and expeditions in cooperation with NASA. She is a Visiting Professor at the Slovak University of Technology, Adjunct Faculty at the International Space University, and a 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 30+ 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 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.
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.
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.
Musilova, M., H. Rogers, B. Foing. "Analogue Research Performed at the HI-SEAS Research Station in Hawaii." Geophysical Research Abstracts, 2019.
Musilova, M., H. Rogers, B. Foing, et al. "EMM IMA HI-SEAS Campaign February 2019." EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting, 2019.
Musilova, M., M. Tranter, J. Wadham, J. Telling, et al. "Microbially Driven Export of Labile Organic Carbon from the Greenland Ice Sheet." Nature Geoscience 10 (2017): 360–365.
Musilova, M., M. Smelko, P. Lipovský, et al. "skCUBE Very-Low-Frequency Radio Waves Detector and Whistlers." IEEE Conference on Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, 2017.
Musilova, M., and M. Tranter, et al. "Experimental Evidence that Microbial Activity Lowers the Albedo of Glaciers." Geochemical Perspectives Letters, 2016.
Musilova, M., G. Wright, J.M. Ward, and L.R. Dartnell. "Isolation of Radiation-Resistant Bacteria from Mars Analog Antarctic Dry Valleys." Astrobiology, 2015.
Musilova, M., M. Tranter, S.A. Bennett, J. Wadham, et al. "Stable Microbial Community Composition on the Greenland Ice Sheet." Frontiers in Microbiology, 2015.
Noack, L., C. Verseux, P. Serrano, M. Musilova, et al. "Astrobiology from Early-Career Scientists' Perspective." International Journal of Astrobiology, 2015.
Singh, V.B., P. Kaur, M. Musilova, et al. "Spring Thaw Ionic Pulses Boost Nutrient Availability and Microbial Growth in Entombed Antarctic Dry Valley Cryoconite Holes." Frontiers in Microbiology, 2014.
Questions about enrollment, teaching with us, or partnerships?
"*" indicates required fields
Platform access opens Q4 2026 with first course in Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). Express interest here and subscribe for enrollment updates.
Platform access opens Q4 2026 with first course in Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). Express interest below and subscribe for enrollment updates.
"*" indicates required fields
