Nestled beneath the Swiss Alps, a historic Cold War-era bunker now serves as a testing ground for humanity’s next giant leap. Nine students from global institutions are currently conducting the fifth Asclepios analog mission, simulating lunar exploration in Sasso San Gottardo’s labyrinthine tunnels – an environment mirroring the Moon’s lava tubes targeted for future bases.
Through December 2025, participants live and work under space-like constraints, conducting geological surveys and testing life-support systems. “This mission bridges classroom theory with operational realities,” explains project coordinator Elisa Clivaz. “We’re studying team dynamics and equipment performance under prolonged isolation.”
The initiative reflects growing international collaboration in space research, with 2025 seeing record participation from Asian institutions. Findings will inform protocols for NASA’s Artemis program and China’s International Lunar Research Station project, both targeting crewed missions within this decade.
