In a groundbreaking mission last November at the Hawai‘i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS), Filipina nutritionist Kristine Jane Atienza made history. Nestled against the slopes of Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii, Kristine's six-day venture delved into the simulation of Martian conditions, unraveling potential habitats, geological features, and the intricate procedures for a Mars expedition.
Analog astronauts, like Kristine, play a crucial role in meticulously testing and simulating deep space missions, setting the stage for the next phase of human exploration beyond Earth. For the Pinay nutritionist, participating in analog missions is a common pathway for those aspiring to become astronauts.
Breaking away from the traditional astronaut profile dominated by scientific and engineering backgrounds, Kristine, armed with expertise in community nutrition from the University of the Philippines Diliman, found her unique place in the cosmos. Her childhood dream of becoming an astronomer led her to apply as a crew member for an analog mission last year. She shared, "Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to become an astronomer, not actually an astronaut. Last year, I thought, what if I apply as a crew member (of an analog mission)?” This revelation aligns with her overarching goal: to enhance the study of space nutrition.
During her six-day mission in an isolated dome habitat, as reported by ABS-CBN News, Kristine served as a nutrition specialist and medical officer, overseeing food inventory, preparation, and the crew's well-being. The mission's challenges included isolation and deliberate communication delays to simulate Earth-Mars distances.
"Ako yung nagche-check ng inventory ng food namin kung kasya pa ba for our whole mission, kasi limited lang ang resources. Most of the time I oversee the preparation of the food...and the caloric content," she elaborated.
Acknowledging the hardships, from limited water supply to confined living spaces, Kristine sees her journey as more than a personal achievement. As the first Filipina in this pioneering role, she aims to inspire Filipinos to dream of space exploration.
"As a Filipino, it's kind of hard to dream [of going] to space kasi back then, we didn't have the resources or opportunities, but right now it's opening up, so I hope I sparked the imagination and hopes of Filipinos again for space," she shared.
Reflecting on her recent experience, Kristine took to Facebook to share her thoughts on the Martian simulation mission. Part of her post reads, "There [are only] a few places on Earth that [are] similar to the surface of Mars, and HI-SEAS is one of them. Sitting on Mauna Loa at 8200 feet, the dome looks like an alien from afar. The only white structure you can see amongst the sea of black lava rocks and red soil. It was surreal."
Kristine's journey, as she expressed in her Facebook post, symbolizes unexpected opportunities, personal growth, and her commitment to representing the Philippines in the broader narrative of space exploration.
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