MARS 2025 ESSENTIALS is gear developed in cooperation with NASA that allows astronauts to perform their tasks and stay healthy both psychologically and physically on long duration space flights.

This concept aims to support the crews (6 people) strenuous three year lasting trip to Mars. It consists of the MARS2025 APPAREL and the MARS2025 COMMUNICATOR. The in-flight apparel allows a lot longer wear, better hygiene, washability and function.

The second is a communication device which gives the astronauts all the informations needed, but also includes a privacy module to allow for moments on his own without withdrawing from the crew.

The project was carried out under the assumption of a manned trip to Mars in 2025. On such a long duration space flight a number of unique stressors, which have not been experienced by mankind yet might occur.

The main psychological issues are social monotony and crew autonomy which is caused by a massive delay when it comes to sending/receiving data to/from earth (Sequential Monologue). This limits all forms of communication with earth to simple email.

Physical problems are problems related to the non-standardised clothes in space flights and today's solution is to dispose the clothes after a few days of use. This requires shipments from earth - which won't be possible for a mars mission. There is a stronger need for hygiene in space and protecting the skin, but also considering storage space, washability and the tools they carry with them daily - with new kind of pockets since gravity isn't there to keep things in place. Velcro isn't always the answer to everything and some astronauts even reported bleeding fingers due to too much velcro.

Nasa's facilities are huge and complex and going there with completely unbiased mindset and with fresh eyes of two young designers was a big benefit. Most of the things which are sent up into space are not up to date and the answer to questions like, why has this not been worked on? was in most cases: "I guess no one hasn't really thought about it yet."

Our intent was to understand the difficulties around living and working in microgravity and with a focus on the human experience, e.g. emotional state, hygiene, needed utilities and comfort. When combining this insight and apply new yet established materials and technologies we were able to visualize future solutions to these problems.

After researching the history of space exploration and other designs for extreme environments we were invited to visit the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. During these two weeks we could use the resources provided at the Lunar Planetary Institute. This Institute provides support services to NASA and the planetary science community, and conducts planetary science research under the leadership of staff scientists, visiting researchers, and postdoctoral fellows. One could literally find any researched information about our solar system, conducted spaceflights, experience reports etc. Additionally several experts were invited to talk to us about their specific field of expertise. From real astronauts to architects who designed revolutionary stations on the Antarctica.

At the end of the two weeks stay we had the opportunity to present our early stage concepts at the Johnson Space Center and discuss them with astronauts, engineers, scientists and many more. This input was very valuable and provided us with insights, feasibility of our goals, potential problems or astronauts personal experiences.

The MARS2025 APPAREL and COMMUNICATOR deal with the unique problems the astronauts would face on a trip to Mars.

The Communicators lightweight and compactness combines with its versatility fits right into Nasa's "Power of Platform" which means the smaller the mass and volume and the more functionality an item has the more valuable it is. The communicator features a basic module and an advanced module. The basic module is a tool for the astronauts to allow for effective work while the advanced module enhances their private life.

The inflight apparel consist of two layer - one to serve the hygienic aspect with a lot longer wear and minimal storage space. This is made possible bya new type of fabric developed by Japan for JAXA and is enhanced by nanotechnology, neutralizes ammonia and is anti-bacterial - making it odor free and could be worn for weeks without washing. A second layer to serve the need for utility and protection, with pockets with magnets and webbing rather than velcro. This layer is meant to be disinfected by UVGI and wiped when needed.