The IGSA-STD-1 Standard: Measuring Mars analog missions quality

Analog research has become a common tool to devise scientific workflows and conducting technology developments for future planetary missions. In the past decade, a number of new analog facilities have emerge with a wide range of professionalism. Globally, more than a dozen active habitats are active, with a dozen missions annually each, with typically six to eight crew members. These are complemented with astronaut training field trips like the ESA PANGEA or CAVES initiative, or the NASA NEEMO missions.

The scientific quality and safety standards vary, as reflected in scientific productivity and safety track record. In recent initiative, a new industry standard is evolving measuring performance and risk management dubbed the “International Guidelines and Standards in Analogs” (IGSA), that strives to establish common sets of metrics to help devise a robust science program, management and safety standards as well as checklists to raise awareness for quality in analog research.

Such a guideline shall also help decision makers, mission managers and funding agencies aware of strength and weaknesses of analog campaigns. The first standard was approved for released in 2023 (IGSA-STD-1) by an international group of experienced analog mission managers and habitat directors, to a) improve space analog mission operations and safety, b) Create a more cohesive process across the space analog industry, c) Develop trust and integrity with the public, companies, nonprofit organizations, academia, researchers, innovators and funding agencies and d) develop a common language to measure and evaluate performance.

Applicable to habitat owners, individuals, crews, researchers, innovators and mission organizers wanting to participate in or conduct an analog mission, the IGSA-STD-2 has the objectives to a) protect mission organizers, directors, and analog astronauts by ensuring safety and quality control, b) allow interoperability of research and missions among habitats, c) Promote international collaboration, d) improve fidelity of research, e) improve synergy, eliminate duplication of effort, and optimize resources and other.