Mission Overview of the American Public University System Analog Research Group’s First Space Analog Mission: 11 Days at the Inflatable Lunar/Mars Analog Habitat

From September 30, 2021 though October 10, 2021, the American Public University System (APUS) Analog Research Group conducted an eleven day space analog mission simulating a mission to the moon and/or Mars. The mission took place inside the Inflatable Lunar/Mars Analog Habitat located at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota. This was the first mission organized and operated by the student run and faculty advised APUS Analog Research Group (AARG), and was titled ARG-1I. ARG-1I was centered around a research program that conducted experiments across six disciplines designed to fill research gaps that are required before astronaut crews are sent to the moon and Mars. The mission was designated as an overwhelming success by all stakeholders, and this paper offers a full mission overview emphasizing crew operations, research, and lessons learned.