The EXPLORE project is preparing for its second analog space mission, EXPLORE 2, taking place from 13–19 April 2026 at Monsaraz Analog Research Station (MARS) located at the Observatório do Lago Alqueva, Monsaraz, Portugal.

During this week, a new international group of students from Austria, Greece and Portugal will gather in this remote and unique location to take part in an immersive experience inspired by a real analog Mars mission, a realistic simulation of the extreme conditions found on Mars. Working as an international crew, they will collaborate, share responsabilities and solve challenges.

In the months leading up to the mission, students have been engaging in project activities that connect space science with real-world topics such as sustainability, environmental awareness, and the importance of preserving our planet, while at the same time improving their digital skills, developing critical thinking, and learning to collaborate. Their teachers have also been experimenting with innovative, student-centred approaches and digital tools that support collaborative and inquiry-based learning.

The EXPLORE 2 mission will bring this preparation into practice, as students apply their knowledge and teamwork skills in a environment designed to mirror the challenges and spirit of space exploration.

Get ready for another fantastic mission and follow the progress of our young astronauts on our social media channels. Stay tuned for more news!

Our nine high school students from Austria, Greece, and Portugal have emerged from the Monsaraz Analog Research Station (M.A.R.S) at OLA – Observatório do Lago Alqueva, marking the successful completion of EXPLORE-2—a six-day simulated Mars mission that placed young Europeans in the shoes of analog astronauts.

The students lived, worked, and explored as if they were on Mars, operating rovers, conducting scientific experiments, and solving real challenges—all without any outside assistance.

From MSC – Mission Support Center (on Earth) to the Habitat, these are the talented students who took part in the mission: 

• From Austria: Ąžuolas Račinskas (Amadeus International School Vienna), Lisa Nöstler (Europagymnasium Auhof Linz), and Lena Kappeller (Bundes Real Gymnasium in der Au), accompanied by teacher Marigold Muchmore.
• From Greece: Alexandros Papathanasiou (American Farm School), Andrianos Lalagkas and Danai Argyriadi (Ellinogermaniki Agogi), accompanied by teacher Eleni Krokou.
• From Portugal: Francisco Lucas (Agrupamento de Escolas Professor Agostinho da Silva, Sintra), Francisco Bártolo (Escola Secundária de Paredes), and Maria Francisco (Agrupamento de Escolas Frei Gonçalo de Azevedo, Cascais). Accompanied by teacher Sandra Baptista.

Just like EXPLORE-1, the second iteration of this mission also received significant attention from schools and the media. The students organized online interviews with Portuguese and Austrian schools, as well as a short live call to the ESA’s European Space Research and Technology Centre in Noordiwjk (Netherlands). The mission was featured in important Greek, Austrian and Portuguese news outlets, such as the online newspaper Cyclades Open in Greece, the HitRadio OE3 and the daily newspaper Österreich in Austria, and the TSF radio and SIC TV station in Portugal. Lusa, the biggest Portuguese news agency, visited the mission and, once again, issued a media press to Portuguese media, and the mission was featured in the online editions of Observador, Jornal de Notícias, Notícias ao Minuto, and many other national and local newspapers, magazines, and online platforms

➤ Read the full story in our mission report.

It was an amazing week! Check out the photos below!