The 7i ILMAH Mission: Making History and Helping NASA
In September 2024, the members of the 7i ILMAH mission made University history by being the first-all female crew conducting research.
The crew of the 7i ILMAH mission. From left to right: Mission Specialist Lindsey Harvey, Crew Commander Aedanaya Diamond and Mission Specialist Shivali Rathore. Flight Director Santiago Arceneaux is pictured in the background. Image courtesy of a University of North Dakota student.
By Lindsey Harvey and Shivali Rathore
Mission Specialists
and Aedanaya Diamond
Crew Commander
and Santiago Arceneaux
Flight Director
During the past few years, members of the University’s student organization American Public University System Analog Research Group (AARG) have conducted space-related research at the University of North Dakota’s Integrated Lunar-Martian Analog Habitat (ILMAH) in Grand Forks, North Dakota. This mission requires participants to remain sequestered within an analog habitat as they conduct research ultimately intended to benefit NASA astronauts.
In September 2024, the members of the ILMAH crew made University history. They were the first-all female crew conducting research during this seventh mission.
The 7i ILMAH mission began on September 18, 2024, and ran for two weeks, concluding on October 2, 2024. The crew for this mission consisted of three women:
- Crew Commander Aedanaya (“Eclipse”) Diamond, current master’s in space studies student
- Mission Specialist Lindsey (“Hurricane”) Harvey, master’s in space studies alumna
- Mission Specialist Shivali (“Thor”) Rathore, current master’s in space studies student
The main focus of the 7i ILMAH mission was to conduct NASA-sponsored research using arthrospira platensis, commonly known as spirulina algae, to grow plants. Other studies included:
- Tests of the bacteriostatic properties of Borax in regolith
- Space physiology surveys
- Assessments of delays in ILMAH’s communication systems
“Our efforts contribute to future generations and the colonization of Mars, which is incredibly inspiring.” – Mission Specialist Lindsey Harvey
Growing Plants with Martian Regolith and Algae
During the 7i ILMAH mission, one research project involved growing 250 plants in simulated Martian regolith (a soil that mimics what is found in space). Over 14 days, the crew experimented with using deionized water and spirulina – a blue-green algae derived from cyanobacteria – to cultivate crops.
The ILMAH crew grew plants in different trays containing different ratios of a regolith/soil mixture and varying levels of spirulina. The experiment also involved the use of a control tray.
After two weeks, the team harvested the plants, weighed them, and examined the plant’s root systems, focusing on the formation of nodules and root caps under a microscope. The crew then recorded data and analyzed it to compare root health and growth with the different regolith/soil mixtures and spirulina concentrations.
The crew worked to identify correlations between the regolith ratio and root development, looking for patterns that may suggest optimal conditions for plant growth in challenging extraterrestrial conditions like off-world agricultural systems. The aim was to determine the beneficial effect of spirulina on root robustness and the impact of differing levels of regolith content on root structure and overall plant health.
Experimenting with Borax and Martian Regolith
During the 7i ILMAH mission, the crew also performed an experiment which focused on testing the bacteriostatic properties of Borax® (sodium tetraborate, a type of mineral salt) as a sanitizing solution on bricks made from Martian regolith to assess its potential to inhibit bacterial growth.
Crew members prepared the bricks from simulated Martian regolith. These bricks were then exposed to the environment inside ILMAH, remaining in a well-trafficked area for several days. The bricks were treated with borax solution and analyzed for signs of microbial activity.
The results from this experiment could provide valuable information on how Borax might be used in building materials for space habitats. This information would be particularly useful for any off-planet environments where controlling microbial growth is important.
Testing the 7i ILMAH Crew’s Endurance
In addition to the plant research for NASA, the 7i ILMAH mission tested the crew’s physical and psychological endurance. The crew completed daily psychological surveys to monitor their mental state throughout the mission.
Most crew members experienced fatigue, largely due to disrupted circadian rhythms caused by the habitat’s artificial light cycle and by missing the comfort of their home mattresses.
“The key to a successful mission is remaining positive no matter how tired you feel. If you can trick yourself into thinking you’re having a great time, then you will have a great time, especially in the habitat.” – MS Lindsey Harvey
Checking ILMAH’s Communications System
The ILMAH crew also tested ILMAH’s ECHO communication system. Testing this system involved deliberate communications delays of 20 minutes to simulate the communication delays future astronauts could face during space missions. These delays occurred with messages to and from the crew, Mission Control, and family members.
Because ILMAH has no internet access, the communications delays presented unique challenges for crew members. Simple tasks like looking up dictionary words became impossible, and the absence of social media forced the crew to adapt to a more isolated environment than they would normally experience.
Creating Videos
Despite the demanding nature of their work, the 7i ILMAH crew found creative ways to stay entertained. They produced a music video in which Mission Specialist Lindsey Harvey rapped about their inside jokes, including one involving catching “space mice” stowaways who unexpectedly joined the mission. The crew also filmed a video about their work with the Spirulina project.
For crew members, one of the highlights of the mission was the opportunity to conduct extravehicular activities using the University of North Dakota’s NDX-2AT space suits as well as ILMAH’s pressurized rover vehicle. EVAs provided a welcome break from the confinement of ILMAH and the opportunity to perform unique studies such as:
- Surveying local terrain for geological samples
- Performing perimeter checks of ILMAH
- Managing Martian trash disposal
Unfortunately, several EVA missions had to be canceled due to wind and equipment issues.
Meals at ILMAH
Throughout the 14-day mission, the crew voluntarily followed a dehydrated meal plan. This meal plan used easy-to-cook ingredients and pre-packaged meals that only required the addition of boiling water.
These types of foods are commonly used on the International Space Station for several reasons:
- They are lightweight and easy to transport.
- They require little preparation.
- They do not create crumbs, which are a problem in microgravity environments.
ILMAH crews routinely use these meal plans to increase the realism of the analog mission experience.
“It wasn’t bad; it was just a lot of beans. Very different from what I am used to. I even lost five pounds during this experiment, but we can’t be certain it was solely due to the diet!” – MS Lindsey Harvey
Why Analog Research Missions Like the 7i ILMAH Mission Matter
Analog missions are not just about personal achievement; they are about being part of a larger mission that could help humanity explore and potentially inhabit another planet. An ILMAH mission is both challenging and rewarding. It also builds team cohesion and gives a crew a better understanding of the psychological and practical demands of current and future space missions.
The thought of playing a role in groundbreaking research during ILMAH missions is both thrilling and humbling and fuel a crew’s passion for exploration even more. A crew’s journey as analog explorers isn’t just a professional development move; it is a chance to fulfill a dream and be part of something greater than themselves.
“It was an amazing experience, and I would totally do it again! For students reading this article and wondering if they should apply, I say, ‘JUST DO IT!’” – MS Lindsey Harvey
Borax is a registered trademark of U.S. Borax, Inc.
AARG gratefully acknowledges the support of Cyanotech Corporation, which provided the Hawaiian Spirulina for the research.
AARG is funded through a faculty research grant from the APUS Office of Research & Academic Excellence and through a NASA EPSCOR R3 administered by the West Virginia Space Grant Consortium.
About the Authors
Lindsey Harvey served as a mission specialist during AARG’s 7i ILMAH mission. Lindsey holds an associate degree in criminal justice from the Community College of the Air Force, a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Arizona Global Campus and is pursuing a master’s degree in space studies from American Military University. She is a Technical Sergeant in the United States Air Force, where she has served for 11 years. Lindsey hopes to inspire Airmen and Guardians to follow their dreams.
Shivali Rathore served as a mission specialist during the mission. She is currently studying to earn a master’s in space studies from American Military University with a concentration in aerospace science. The 7i mission was her first mission with AARG and her first as a crew member. Shivali believes that balancing her drive for discovery with the love and support of her family has made her journey even more meaningful.
Aedanaya Diamond served as the crew commander during the mission. She earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and will be starting her capstone for her master’s in space studies from American Public University in March 2025. Aedanaya hopes to someday work in closed-loop systems focusing on life support and sustainable habitats for space exploration. She has been involved with AARG for several years, serving as a recruitment coordinator and mission support team member, as well as a researcher focusing on plant-based diets in analog environments.
Santiago Arceneaux works at the University as a financial aid advisor and served as the flight director during the 7i ILMAH mission. He is currently studying for a bachelor’s degree in business administration at American Public University.
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