NEEMO 21: An analogue mission to Mars

In July 2016, ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer took part in NASAs Extreme Environment Mission Operations, or NEEMO a 16day underwater sortie to enact a mission to Mars and test equipment for astronauts. NEEMOs underwater habitat off Florida acts as makeshift a space base for astronauts to make regular waterwalks in full scuba gear. Both underwater missions plan sorties for the astronauts to simulate spacewalks. For NEEMO 21, a rotating crew of four complemented Matthias and NASA astronaut Megan McArt