Program Description
Event Details
What is it really like to live as an astronaut before ever leaving Earth? In this engaging talk, psychotherapist and analog astronaut Sharife Gacel shares what it’s like to train for space through realistic Earth-based missions designed to prepare humans for future exploration. Drawing from two analog astronaut missions, she offers an inside look at daily life inside a simulated space habitat, the psychological challenges of isolation and confinement, and the tools used to build resilience and teamwork. Blending science, storytelling, and human insight, this presentation explores what space simulations can teach us about curiosity, adaptability, and being human here on Earth.
Sharife Gacel is a licensed psychotherapist, analog astronaut, and NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador based in Central Florida. She has completed two analog astronaut missions and is the founder of the Blue Marble Project, an interdisciplinary initiative blending mental health, space psychology, research, art, and public outreach. Her work explores how space, awe, and perspective can support psychological well-being and human resilience.