M.A.R.S. UCLouvain - Martian simulation program for researchers and students

Aglaé Sacré

Role : Crew Journalist
Studies : Master in Communication
Email : asacre@marsuclouvain.be

I am currently studying a master’s degree in communication, specializing in digital communication and strategic organization. This year, my master thesis will focus on cutting off access to information and social networks. Before that, I was a human resources graduate. I am also a co-organizer of a festival.

Aglaé’s project :

Study on the isolation of social networks

We are constantly connected to social networks and information. So connected that sometimes our relationships with others are impacted. So what would be the impact on us and our relationships with others by being disconnected for 2 weeks as part of a life simulation on mars. For this, I will study the individual use of […]

Ttele Hiriart

Role : Crew Health and Safety Officer
Studies : Medicine
Email : thiriart@marsuclouvain.be

I am currently ending my Master of Medicine at the University of UCLouvain and going to specialize in medical emergencies. During my course, I explored many fields of the medicine, but I still have a lot to see and learn. Research and scientific advances never end in the domain of medicine. It is an opportunity to be part of this amazing crew, I am going to discover another side of the evolution of medicine. Always interested by the unknown I am so excited by this stunning adventure.

Ttele’s project :

Study of psychological and behavioral adaptation to isolated and confined environments

I have always been interested in people’s relationships and interactions. Creating a strong and unit crew is not easy when you start with a team of foreigners. By completing questions files, making several exercises, mental games and using actual psychological tools I would like to analyze the personalities, emotions, desires, expectations, and fears of my […]

Ioana Dimitrova

Role : Crew Engineer
Studies : Biomedical Engineering
Email : idimitrova@marsuclouvain.be

I am currently finishing my Bachelor in Civil Engineering with a speciality in Biomedical Engineering. Space has always been my passion and goal in life so I am invested in several space projects and will pursue my Master’s degree in Space Sciences. I also have a diploma for piano from the music academy.

Ioana’s project :

Space Oddity: reducing stress with music ?

Confinement and isolation is difficult for every crew that leaves the Earth. It leads to stress that can impact the body in a negative way, psychologically but also physically by increasing cortisol and blood pressure levels. One solution to this problem could be listening to music; it’s pleasant and not a complicated strategy to […]

Gwenaël le Bussy

Role : Crew Astronomer
Studies : Mechanical Engineering
Email : glebussy@marsuclouvain.be

I am a Master’s student in mechanical engineering at UCLouvain and I specialize in aeronautics and manufacturing. I am currently doing my master’s thesis as a trainee engineer at Safran Aero Boosters in Liège (Belgium). As you can see, I am really passionate about aeronautics and space but these are not my only passions ; indeed, I am also a certified diver and a big fan of photography. For this mission, I will combine my main passions and be the astronomer for a few weeks. During this time, I hope to capture beautiful images of the night sky to show everyone how fabulous the world we live in is.

Gwenaël’s project :

Development of the emergency procedure

The Martian environmentis not suitable forthe survival of human beings. So, what would happen if the protective layer around the astronauts were to be damaged? Then our astronauts would be exposed to the greatest of dangers. They must react fast to guarantee the mission survival. Therefore, a simple and explicit procedure must be defined […]

Augustin Tribolet

Role : Crew GreenHab Officer
Studies : Particle Physics
Email : atribolet@marsuclouvain.be

I have just graduated in physics at UCLouvain where I studied particle physics and cosmology. I am currently completing another master’s degree in space sciences in which I investigate more applied aspects of physics. As looking for challenges I am enrolled in the MARS UCLouvain Crew 2023, as the GreenHab Officer.

Augustin’s project :

Search for a radiation-shielded site in the Mars underground

Radiation in space is one of the most challenging problems for long manned space missions. Recent proposals have been put forward to benefit from natural shielding, by implanting the astronauts’ base in the Martian underground. The Martian caves should be chosen according to some criteria, such as the effectiveness of the shield, the presence […]

ThoMars Stinglhamber

Thomas Stinglhamber

Role : Crew Scientist
Studies : Medical Physics
Email : tstinglhamber@marsuclouvain.be

Graduated as a Physicist in 2021, I specialized in medical physics and analog & digital electronics. I’m performing my Master’s thesis on the quantization log-based QA uncertainties based on measurements in proton PBS beams. I am also a teaching assistant in classical physics and electromagnetism in the Sciences faculty.

Thomas’s project :

Study on Mars radiation

The radiation is invisible and odorless. The martionauts on mars will have to face this invisible enemy much more than we on earth. So how do you protectthem? By deploying a whole series of dosimeters. Each person will have 1, 1 will be put outside, 1 inside, 1 underground and 1 in Belgium to […]

Agnès Dekeyser

Role : Crew Executive Officer
Studies : PhD Student
Email : adekeyser@marsuclouvain.be

I graduated this year with a master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences and I am currently pursuing mystudies with a PhD at the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC, UCLouvain, Brussel).

Space has always been part of my passions. I will not say that I am a professional on the subject, however it has always triggered my interest and curiosity. As the XO of this mission, I am responsible for the team welfare, I will support the Commander in his tasks as well as each crew member.

Agnès’s project :

Study of the biocompatibility of the Martian environment for Terrestrial organisms

Terraforming Mars? Why? Well, because life as we know it cannot survive to Mars’ extreme conditions. But that may not be entirely true. Indeed, some organisms on Earth have the ability to survive conditions that are lethal to most other organisms, they are called extremophiles. But could they withstand Mars’ extreme conditions ? This is […]

Antoine de Barquin

Role : Crew Commander
Studies : Bio-ingenieur Nutrition & Health
Email : adebarquin@marsuclouvain.be

I am currently doing a master’s degree in the Faculty of Bioengineering of the UCLouvain with a major in nutrition and health. I am passionate about nutrition, space and project management so I am very happy to be able to combine everything through this mission.

As the commander of the crew, I am responsible for the overall safety, organization and management of the mission. My job is to help each member of the crew to develop and reach their goals

Antoine’s project :

Study on the influence of the specific nutrition of astronauts on the microbiota

Thanks to an experiment previously carried out on astronauts, we know that containment has an impact on our microbial flora that we call our “second brain”. But containment will not be the only parameter to have an impact on our micro-organisms. The specific food of the astronauts is obviously a major element and my experiment […]

Crew ARES 2023