#Nasa astronauts space used gene for skin

'Its purpose was to collect physiological data on crews during long-duration simulated Mars missions,' with a focus on diet and nutrition, she explains, (although there were 'countless' other scientific observations and experiments). Greene was second-in-command of a six-member team in the project's first instalment. The Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) was a Nasa-funded project that ran for five years from 2013, in six missions to provide scientific insight into astronaut response and adaptation to living on Mars, should we ever get there. As an 'analogue' crew member, she lived and worked as a scientist under simulated Martian conditions as part of a Nasa human research programme. Yet Greene has played a vital role in our understanding of how human spaceflight to Mars might look one day. The term is self-effacing, used deliberately to maintain a respectful distance between her and 'real' space travellers who have buckled up in the command module on the launch pad. Green, who is by academic training a laser physicist, is also what she calls an 'almost-astronaut'.

#Nasa astronauts space used gene for skin

She's reflecting on an experience in which she lived in a geodesic dome, only ventured outside in a fake space suit, bathed with wet wipes, breathed recycled air and never felt real sunlight on her skin for four months.

'There's really nothing normal about six adults making believe they live on another planet,' says Kate Greene.