In this talk I discuss my experiences from two very different space analog environments: staying in a portable research habitat in The Mojave Desert and being part of an expedition team going to the North Pole. Find out about some common challenges and opportunities of analogs and hear about what is involved psychologically in undertaking such an endeavor.

Laura Thomas is an experienced Chartered Counselling Psychologist with a passion for extreme environments and innovative tech. She is a co-founder of commercial spaceflight company PARSEC Spaceflight, helping to select, develop, and certify the next generation of commercial astronauts. She has presented on technological innovations for maintaining / monitoring well-being in space and published on the therapeutic uses of virtual reality within long duration spaceflight. Her background includes being Crew Psychological Officer in an all–female space analog in the Mojave Desert; creating and piloting a longstanding emotional well-being programme for military personnel; and working on the Optimal Leadership Resilience Programme for senior corporate leaders across a range of dynamic industries. Laura is also a team member of the B.I.G. (Before It’s Gone) North Pole Sea ice research expedition team and is conducting research on positive psychological outcomes (salutogenesis) in space analog environments.

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