Stellar Training for Astronaut Readiness. Where the journey makes the astronaut.
april 25-29, 2026 | biosphere 2, oracle, az, Usa
Registration closes April 12th at 10:00pm EST
STAR Summit
Train your crew before the mission begins!
A five-day immersive training experience designed for analog astronaut crews to strengthen communication, coordination, and decision-making before entering a mission environment.
Through structured workshops, field challenges, and expedition environments, crews gain insight into how they communicate, make decisions, and coordinate as a team before entering the mission environment.
The goal is simple…
Strengthen how crews operate together so mission objectives and research tasks can be executed effectively.
Summit is designed for crews who:
Have an upcoming analog mission and want to prepare together before entering the habitat
Want to strengthen communication and coordination before mission operations begin
Want to identify strengths and gaps in how their crew operates
Want to build trust and shared understanding through real-world challenges
Want structured preparation instead of figuring things out during the mission
Want to improve their crew’s ability to execute mission objectives effectively
This experience is limited to 20 participants, or 4 crews.
Most crews meet in person for the first time inside the habitat, or just before ingress.
Many analog crews begin their missions having spent little time working together in person, especially in demanding environments.
The Summit allows crews to
understand each other's working styles
practice leadership transitions
strengthen communication patterns
build trust through shared challenge
Why Crews Train
Before the Mission
Across human spaceflight analog missions, the strongest crews arrive with a shared understanding of how they operate.
They understand how decisions are made, how communication flows, and how leadership shifts when pressure increases.
Without this shared understanding, crews often spend the first portion of a mission simply figuring out how to work together.
STAR Summit creates an opportunity to build that alignment before the mission begins.
Workshops & Sessions
Focus Areas
Training focuses on the interpersonal, operational, and coordination skills required to execute mission tasks and conduct scientific research in analog environments.
Human behavior & performance
Develop the interpersonal and self-awareness skills that support effective leadership, communication, and coordination in mission environments where team performance directly influences mission objectives and scientific outcomes.
operational & technical skills
Practice mission-relevant skills that support coordination, safety, and performance during operational tasks conducted in analog environments used for training and scientific research.
Crew integration
Strengthen trust, shared purpose, and team cohesion through guided experiences designed to help crews operate effectively together while carrying out mission objectives and supporting scientific research.
Focus 1
Human Behavior & Performance
Interpret your personalized Human Behavior & Performance competency report and understand how it influences crew dynamics
Practice active listening and information confirmation during mission-style communication exercises
Increase awareness of nonverbal communication and emotional cues within teams
Learn strategies for navigating conflict and repairing trust within crew dynamics
Focus 2
Operational & Technical Skills
Learn EVA protocols and structured radio communication procedures
Practice coordinating tasks remotely using disciplined communication techniques
Explore planetary geology fundamentals and terrain-based navigation methods
Understand how analog environments function as research testbeds and how scientific experiments are conducted in mission settings
Focus 3
Crew Integration
Reflect on your individual purpose and contribution to a mission-driven crew
Identify shared crew values and establish a collective sense of purpose
Translate that purpose into a collaborative visual representation of your crew identity
Strengthen interpersonal understanding and alignment through guided crew conversations
Did we mention the stellar bonus?
A personalized competency assessment
Before the Summit, participants complete a Human Behavior & Performance assessment used with astronaut crews.
You receive a personalized report highlighting strengths and growth areas, which becomes your roadmap for the week.
Crew Expedition Experience
The Defining Adventure
At the center of STAR Summit is a full-day expedition where crews operate together in a dynamic environment.
Teams navigate terrain, communicate clearly, and solve problems collectively while moving through the cave system.
The experience provides a natural setting to observe how a crew coordinates, supports one another, and adapts when conditions change.
Activity is weather-dependent and may be replaced with an equally challenging and fun adventure.
What to Expect During the Week
day 1 - Orientation & baseline
Movement and environmental awareness exercises followed by team activities that establish communication norms, working styles, and operational rhythm.
day 2 - Execution & communication
Field navigation and movement combined with communication protocols and coordinated task execution.
Day 3 - Decision-Making & Team Dynamics
Complex scenarios requiring judgment, adaptability, and shared responsibility.
day 4 - expedition day
A full-day expedition where communication, leadership, and decision-making are tested in a demanding real-world environment.
day 5 - integration & closing
Technical wrap-ups, crew debriefs, and guided reflection focused on translating lessons into future mission preparation.
What's Included
Four nights of accommodations at Biosphere 2 during the Summit
Meals and transportation for off-site activities
Five days of instructor-led training and workshops
Guided expedition experience with professional safety and leadership staff
Human Behavior & Performance competency assessment and personalized report
Guided discussions and exercises designed to strengthen crew communication, trust, and coordination
Summit workbook, training materials, and exclusive STAR Summit t-shirt
Professional photos documenting the Summit and expedition experiences
What You'll Leave With
Personal Performance
Understand how you operate under stress and how to manage it effectively.
Team & Communication
Communicate clearly and coordinate effectively within a small crew.
Leadership & decision making
Make confident decisions and adapt your role as conditions change.
Mission Task Execution
Execute navigation, communication protocols, and research tasks in real conditions.
"This training goes far beyond technical skills. It challenges you in meaningful and unexpected ways, sparking real growth in mindset, resilience, and teamwork. I gained deeper insight into myself and experienced the power of building a cohesive and trusting crew."
Ludovica V.
If your analog mission is coming up this year, STAR Summit offers a unique opportunity to prepare together before entering the habitat.
Crew packages available for teams registering together.
Mission ready starts here
$6,000 per crew of 4
Limited spots remaining | Payment options Available
We're keeping this group intentionally small to support meaningful crew interaction, individualized feedback, and real team dynamics.
Crew packages are available for teams larger than 4. Please Contact our team at [email protected] for crew registration details.
Registration Closes on April 12th
at 10:00 pm EST
Prepare Together Before the Mission Begins
Train alongside professionals who care about mission readiness, team performance, and operating effectively in high-consequence environments.
Still have questions?
FAQ
Do I need to stay for the full 5 days?
The Summit is intentionally structured as a complete progression, and leaving early means missing key components of your training and team development.
What’s included in the price?
Four nights at Biosphere 2, all meals, all training sessions, materials, transportation to off-site activities, movement coaching, swag, and a Summit workbook.
What physical level is required?
The Summit includes daily movement such as rucking, hiking, and stability sessions. You don’t need to be an elite athlete — just able to participate, move comfortably, and challenge yourself. Everything can be scaled to your level.
How does the HBP assessment work?
You’ll complete the HBP Competency Assessment prior to arrival. At check-in, you’ll receive your personalized report and we’ll guide you through how to interpret and use it throughout the Summit.
What should I bring?
A packing list will be provided, but expect to bring movement-friendly clothing, a hydration system, comfortable shoes, layers for variable weather, and a notebook. Expect warm days and cool nights in April-May. Temperatures at Biosphere 2 can reach 95°F during the day and drop to 40°F at night. We recommend comfortable, casual clothing and layers for early mornings and evenings.
Do we get breaks or personal time?
Yes. While the Summit is immersive and full, you’ll have daily reflection periods, optional evening activities, and time to recharge.
Will I have a roommate?
Private rooms are standard for individual registration. However, crew registered participants will share a room with your crew. This is the first step to staying in a small space together.
Got more questions? Please email us at [email protected].
About Us
Interstellar Performance Labs, powered by Fort Hill Group delivers training and human factors expertise for teams operating in extreme environments.
Meet the Summit Team
Emily Apollonio
Lead Instructor
Analogs, Mission Readiness, & Crew Performance
dr. jason kring
Instructor
Human Performance in Extreme Environments
dr. sandra herrmann
Technical Skills Instructor
Geology, Navigation, & Research Skills