TOURINFO-January 25, 2024– Armenia is set to play a pivotal role in advancing space exploration as it gears up to host the AMADEE24 Mars analog simulation in March 2024. The Austrian Space Forum (OeWF) has chosen Armenia as the host country for this groundbreaking mission, which aims to simulate a mission to Mars.
Scheduled for March 2024, the AMADEE24 exercises will see an international crew training for a month on a rocky high plateau in Armenia, mirroring the challenging terrain found on Mars. The simulation holds significant scientific and educational value, providing a unique opportunity to test materials, analyze system defects, and explore innovative solutions.
During a meeting at the Armenian Embassy in Austria/Slovakia, the teams of the Austrian Space Forum and the Armenian Space Forum discussed the details of the upcoming mission. Armenia’s Ambassador to Austria, Armen Papikyan, expressed his appreciation for the selection, stating, “Armenia will transform into a Mars research center for one month in the spring.” He emphasized the importance of the simulation and extended gratitude to the Austrian Space Forum for choosing Armenia as the host country.
The international crew for the AMADEE24 mission has been finalized, comprising two women and four men from Austria, Germany, Israel, Italy, and Great Britain. Notably, Anika Mehlis from Germany will lead the mission, making history as the first woman to do so.
In preparation for the mission, a delegation from the Austrian Space Forum visited the AMADEE24 site in Armenia in April 2023. The upcoming simulation represents a collaborative effort to advance space exploration, test cutting-edge technologies, and contribute valuable insights to future Mars missions. As Armenia takes center stage in this scientific endeavor, the global community eagerly anticipates the discoveries and advancements that will emerge from this Mars analog simulation.
TOURINFO-JUANITA MOURADIAN
