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NEEMO

NEEMO, or NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations, is a NASA analog mission program that deploys professional astronauts, engineers, and scientists to live and work for up to three weeks in Aquarius, the world's only dedicated undersea research laboratory, situated 62 feet (19 meters) below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean approximately 3.5 miles off Key Largo in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.^[1] Operated in collaboration with Florida International University, NEEMO utilizes saturation diving techniques, where participants remain under pressure to avoid repeated decompression, enabling extended underwater operations that mimic the isolation and confinement of spaceflight.^[1] The primary purpose of NEEMO is to simulate the physiological, psychological, and operational challenges of space exploration in an extreme Earth-based environment, testing extravehicular activity (EVA) techniques, habitat configurations, and robotic systems for future missions to destinations such as asteroids, the Moon, Mars, and its moons.^[1]^[2] During missions, crew members—known as aquanauts—conduct scientific experiments, refine crew training protocols, and evaluate tools under simulated reduced-gravity conditions achieved through weighted dive belts and tethering systems, providing data on human performance in hostile settings analogous to extraterrestrial ones.^[3] This undersea analog offers unique advantages over other simulations, such as immediate access to a three-dimensional workspace for EVA practice without the logistical complexities of aerial or desert analogs.^[2] Initiated in 2001, NEEMO conducted 23 missions through 2019, with NEEMO 24 planned as of 2022 but not yet executed as of 2025, involving collaborations across at least five NASA centers and international partners like the European Space Agency and Canadian Space Agency.^[2] Early missions focused on basic spacewalk simulations and isolation studies, evolving to include advanced objectives like asteroid anchoring procedures in NEEMO 15 (2011) and Mars analog tasks in NEEMO 21 (2016), which featured international crews testing telemedicine, remote collaboration, and sample collection in partial-gravity simulations.^[2]^[4] Notable achievements include the development of EVA protocols now integrated into International Space Station operations and contributions to Artemis program preparations, underscoring NEEMO's role in bridging terrestrial extremes with space mission readiness. As of 2025, the program continues to support NASA initiatives like Artemis through analog training, though no new full missions have occurred since 2019.^[2]^[5]^[6]

Introduction

Definition and Objectives

NEEMO, or NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations, is an analog program developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to simulate the challenges of space exploration through underwater missions conducted since 2001.^[7] It involves sending teams of astronauts, engineers, and scientists to live and work in the Aquarius underwater laboratory, the world's only undersea research station, located approximately 62 feet (19 meters) below the surface off the coast of Key Largo, Florida.^[1] These missions utilize saturation diving techniques, where participants remain at depth for extended periods—up to three weeks—to minimize decompression risks and enable prolonged immersion in an extreme environment.^[1]^[2] The core objectives of NEEMO focus on evaluating human factors, equipment functionality, and operational procedures in isolated and confined settings that parallel the conditions of long-duration spaceflight.^[2] By replicating spacecraft living quarters and mission timelines, the program assesses crew performance, team dynamics, and behavioral health under stress, providing insights applicable to future expeditions to the Moon, Mars, asteroids, and beyond.^[1]^[8] Saturation diving at this depth introduces physiological and psychological challenges akin to space, allowing NASA to test adaptations for microgravity and partial-gravity environments without leaving Earth.^[2]^[9] Specific goals include conducting biomedical research to study the effects of isolation and confinement on human physiology and cognition, simulating extravehicular activities (EVAs) to refine spacewalk protocols, and performing geological sampling to develop techniques for planetary surface exploration.^[2] EVA simulations, often called "waterwalks," involve weighted suits to mimic varying gravity levels while testing tools, communication systems with intentional delays, and mobility in neutral buoyancy.^[8]^[9] Geological tasks draw analogies between the underwater seafloor and extraterrestrial terrains, informing sample collection strategies for lunar or Martian missions.^[2]^[10] The underwater setting of NEEMO uniquely mimics space conditions through neutral buoyancy, which reduces effective weight to simulate microgravity during EVAs, and increased ambient pressure, which heightens the sense of isolation and operational hazards.^[1]^[2] The surrounding seafloor provides a rugged, analog landscape for practicing surface operations on airless bodies, while the habitat's confined spaces replicate the psychological pressures of deep-space travel.^[8]^[10] This combination enables rigorous, cost-effective testing of mission-critical elements in a high-fidelity Earth-based analog.^[9]

Relation to Space Exploration

The NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) program serves as a critical Earth-based analog for preparing astronauts and mission planners for operations on the International Space Station (ISS), future lunar missions under the Artemis program, and eventual human exploration of Mars. By simulating the isolation, confined spaces, and communication delays inherent in spaceflight within the underwater Aquarius habitat, NEEMO enables the testing of procedures and technologies in a high-fidelity environment that mimics microgravity during extravehicular activities (EVAs) through neutral buoyancy. This analog approach has directly informed NASA's strategies for long-duration space habitation, including risk mitigation for deep-space travel where real-time support from Earth is limited.^[1]^[11] NEEMO has made significant contributions to the development of protocols for long-duration missions, particularly through studies on circadian rhythms and team dynamics in isolated settings. For instance, missions have investigated sleep disruptions and light exposure effects on crew performance, yielding data that helps optimize lighting and scheduling to counteract circadian desynchronization during extended spaceflights. Similarly, research on interpersonal interactions and stress responses in confined groups has enhanced understanding of team cohesion, informing behavioral health countermeasures for ISS crews and future Mars transit missions where resupply and psychological support are constrained. These efforts build on integrated physiological and psychological assessments to ensure crew resilience in extreme conditions.^[12]^[13] Technologies influenced by NEEMO include advancements in EVA suits and habitat designs, tested in the underwater environment to evaluate mobility, dexterity, and system integration. Underwater simulations have allowed for iterative improvements in suit materials and joint mechanisms, reducing fatigue during prolonged EVAs analogous to lunar surface operations. Habitat prototypes have been assessed for life support efficiency and layout optimization, contributing to designs that enhance crew safety and operational flow in space habitats. These tests have refined tools and protocols, such as robotic interfaces for remote science, directly transferable to extraterrestrial exploration.^[14]^[15] Over 23 NEEMO missions conducted from 2001 to 2019, with the most recent being NEEMO 23 in June 2019, the program has generated extensive data on psychological stressors, physiological adaptations, and operational efficiencies, providing NASA with evidence-based insights to enhance mission success rates. These findings have supported the validation of countermeasures against isolation-induced anxiety and physical deconditioning, while streamlining procedures to boost overall mission productivity in space. The cumulative impact underscores NEEMO's role as a foundational analog for advancing human spaceflight capabilities toward sustainable presence beyond low Earth orbit.^[5]^[16]^[2]

Background and Development

Origins in NASA Analog Programs

NASA's use of analog missions to simulate spaceflight conditions dates back to the 1960s, when the agency collaborated with the U.S. Navy on underwater habitat projects like SEALAB to study human performance in extreme environments. SEALAB II, conducted in 1965 off the California coast, involved NASA astronaut M. Scott Carpenter as an aquanaut, marking one of the earliest instances of space agency participation in saturation diving experiments to test isolation, team dynamics, and extravehicular activities (EVAs) in a confined, hazardous setting.^[17]^[18] These efforts laid foundational concepts for using underwater settings as proxies for space, emphasizing physiological and psychological adaptations akin to orbital missions.^[5] By the late 1990s and early 2000s, NASA's analog programs had expanded to address the demands of long-duration human spaceflight, particularly for the International Space Station (ISS). Planning for NEEMO began in 2000–2001, driven by the need for high-fidelity simulations amid delays in ISS assembly and shuttle operations, which limited opportunities for in-flight training.^[1] The program's inaugural mission, NEEMO 1, launched in October 2001, utilizing the Aquarius underwater laboratory to conduct saturation dives that replicated spacecraft confinement and neutral-buoyancy EVAs.^[19] This initiative represented a conceptual evolution from SEALAB's short-term tests—typically days long—to extended multi-week immersions, enabling more realistic modeling of mission isolation, resource constraints, and operational risks.^[20] The rationale for underwater analogs intensified following the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in February 2003, which underscored vulnerabilities in human spaceflight and prompted NASA to prioritize safety through rigorous ground-based simulations. NEEMO's submerged environment provided a controlled yet perilous analog for assessing crew resilience, procedural reliability, and emergency responses without the full hazards of space.^[5] In partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NEEMO integrated marine research infrastructure to support these objectives.^[1]

Partnership with NOAA and Evolution

The NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) program was formally established in 2001 through a partnership between NASA and NOAA's National Undersea Research Center, enabling NASA's access to the Aquarius undersea habitat for analog missions simulating space exploration.^[21] This collaboration leveraged NOAA's expertise in undersea research to support NASA's training and testing objectives, with NOAA providing operational support for dive safety while NASA led mission design and scientific payloads. In 2013, management of Aquarius was transferred to Florida International University (FIU), which now operates the facility in collaboration with NOAA.^[22]^[1] Over the program's two decades, NEEMO evolved from initial missions lasting 5 to 7 days in 2001–2003 to extended durations of up to 14 days by 2006, allowing for more comprehensive simulations of long-duration spaceflight isolation and extravehicular activities.^[23] Following the inclusion of international crews starting with NEEMO 14 in 2010, the program expanded multinational participation, incorporating astronauts from agencies like the Canadian Space Agency, European Space Agency, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to foster global collaboration on exploration technologies.^[24] Operations paused after Hurricane Irma's damage to the Aquarius habitat in September 2017, with repairs enabling resumption in 2019 with NEEMO 23.^[25] By 2019, NEEMO shifted focus toward NASA's Artemis program, testing lunar surface operations, geological tools, and informatics for extravehicular activities relevant to Moon missions. This adaptation included NEEMO 23's all-female crew, comprising commander Samantha Cristoforetti (ESA), NASA astronaut candidate Jessica Watkins, and researchers Kathryn Sullivan and Csilla Ari, aimed at advancing gender-diverse team dynamics and inspiring STEM participation among women and girls. The program remains NASA-led, with funding primarily from NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate and collaborative support from NOAA and FIU for undersea logistics, accumulating over 300 aquanaut-days of immersion experience by 2019 to refine protocols for deep-space human factors. As of 2025, NEEMO 23 remains the most recent mission, with NEEMO 24 planned for 2022 but not executed.^[5]^[2]

The Aquarius Habitat

Location and Environmental Simulation

The Aquarius Reef Base, the primary habitat for NASA's NEEMO missions, is situated approximately 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) offshore from Key Largo, Florida, within the protected boundaries of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Positioned at a depth of 62 feet (19 meters) on the ocean floor adjacent to Conch Reef, the site was selected for its stable seabed conditions and proximity to vibrant marine ecosystems, enabling extended underwater operations while remaining accessible for logistical support. This location in the subtropical Atlantic waters provides a controlled yet challenging environment that parallels the isolation of space habitats, with the surrounding sanctuary ensuring minimal environmental disturbance during missions.^[1] The underwater setting facilitates environmental simulation of space-like conditions through saturation diving, where the habitat maintains ambient pressure equivalent to the surrounding seawater depth—approximately 2.8 atmospheres absolute—allowing crew members to become fully saturated with inert gases over 24 hours and conduct prolonged excursions without repetitive decompression. Neutral buoyancy in the water column serves as an analog for reduced gravity, enabling realistic extravehicular activity (EVA) training where aquanauts experience weightless-like movement during "spacewalks" on the seafloor. Additionally, the site's inherent limitations, such as reduced visibility due to particulate matter and water currents, combined with engineered communication delays (often up to 50 seconds to mimic Mars-Earth lags), replicate the sensory and operational constraints of extraterrestrial exploration.^[1]^[10] Access to the adjacent coral reef ecosystem enhances the analog's utility, offering diverse geological formations like sponge mounds and tilefish burrows, as well as biological features such as soft corals and juvenile fish nurseries, which serve as proxies for extraterrestrial terrains and life-support challenges in planetary science studies. These natural elements allow for in-situ experiments on resource utilization and habitat interactions that mirror potential lunar or Martian regolith and microbial environments.^[10] Safety protocols at the site are tailored to the saturation diving demands, with a hyperbaric recompression chamber stationed at the shore base in Islamorada and a transportable system aboard the surface support vessel R/V Bond for immediate emergency response during missions. Surface operations rely on a network of vessels, including the R/V Bond and R/V Sabina, which provide continuous life support via a surface buoy system for power, air compression, and telecommunications, ensuring rapid evacuation or medical intervention if needed while maintaining the underwater isolation.^[26]

Design and Technical Capabilities

The Aquarius habitat is a cylindrical pressure vessel measuring 46 feet (14 meters) in length and 10 feet (3 meters) in diameter, designed to accommodate a crew of up to six aquanauts during extended underwater missions.^[27] Its internal layout includes compact living quarters with six bunks, a small galley featuring a microwave and basic kitchen facilities, a wet laboratory for handling samples, a dry laboratory for data analysis, and dedicated computer workstations, all within approximately 400 square feet of pressurized space.^[28]^[29] The structure consists of three compartments: a main living and working area, a laboratory section, and an adjacent entry lock that serves as a lockout chamber for preparing and conducting extravehicular activities (EVAs) directly from the habitat without surfacing.^[26] Key technical capabilities support self-sustained operations in a high-pressure environment equivalent to about 62 feet of seawater depth. Life support systems provide oxygen replenishment, carbon dioxide scrubbing via chemical absorbents, and at least 72 hours of independent power backup, ensuring habitability during power or supply disruptions; water management includes recycling capabilities to conserve freshwater for drinking and hygiene over multi-day stays.^[26]^[15] High-bandwidth communication links enable real-time data transmission, video conferencing, and telemetry monitoring to NASA mission control centers and surface support teams, facilitating remote oversight and collaboration.^[30] The habitat also features a wet porch accessed via a moon pool for direct entry into the surrounding underwater environment, along with excursion lines for safe navigation during EVAs.^[15] Over time, the habitat has undergone enhancements to improve functionality for analog missions like NEEMO. Following its relocation and initial deployments around 2001, upgrades included expanded video conferencing systems for telemedicine and remote operations, as demonstrated in early missions with transcontinental consultations.^[31] By 2010, additions such as robotic manipulators were integrated to assist with experiment handling and surgical simulations, enhancing the habitat's role in testing autonomous and teleoperated technologies.^[32]^[29] NEEMO missions have been suspended since 2019, but the habitat remains operational for marine and climate research as of 2025.^[33]^[34] Mission durations are limited to a maximum of 14 days to align with saturation diving protocols and decompression requirements, during which crews breathe a standard air mixture adjusted for pressure, followed by a prebreathing period with 100% oxygen to mitigate decompression sickness risks upon surfacing.^[5]^[15] This constraint ensures safe egress, typically involving 15 hours of controlled decompression in a hyperbaric chamber after mission completion.^[35]

Operational Aspects

Crew Selection and Training

The selection of crew members for NEEMO missions is overseen by NASA's Johnson Space Center Astronaut Office, with candidates drawn from NASA astronauts, engineers, scientists, and occasionally educators or other professionals to align with specific mission objectives. Essential criteria include advanced SCUBA certification, such as Advanced Open Water diver qualification or standards set by the American Academy of Underwater Sciences, rigorous medical fitness evaluations for saturation diving and isolated operations, and demonstrated teamwork skills to foster effective group dynamics in extreme environments.^[36]^[37]^[5] Diversity in crew composition is emphasized through the inclusion of international partners from agencies like the European Space Agency, Canadian Space Agency, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, alongside civilians to incorporate multidisciplinary expertise and perspectives.^[5] This approach ensures a balanced team capable of simulating collaborative space exploration efforts. Pre-mission training typically spans several weeks and involves comprehensive preparation to equip crews for underwater saturation. Key components include classroom instruction on mission goals and protocols several weeks in advance, hands-on field training in the week prior to deployment for equipment familiarization, hyperbaric chamber sessions to simulate pressure conditions and decompression procedures, emergency drills for habitat evacuation and system failures, and analog scenario simulations to practice operational workflows.^[38]^[5]^[13] Crew roles are assigned based on expertise and mission needs, generally comprising a commander who leads overall operations and decision-making, a lead mission specialist responsible for technical and logistical coordination, and science officers focused on experiment execution and data analysis. These defined responsibilities promote structured teamwork and efficient resource management during the analog immersion.^[38]^[5]

Mission Phases and Activities

NEEMO missions follow a structured progression to simulate the isolation and operational demands of space exploration. The ingress phase involves the crew's descent to the Aquarius habitat at approximately 62 feet (19 meters) below the surface, where they undergo saturation diving to equalize pressure with the surrounding seawater, typically lasting several hours to a day for safe adaptation.^[1]^[10] This phase ensures the aquanauts can work freely on the seafloor without repeated decompression, mirroring the setup for long-duration space habitats.^[12] The core operations phase constitutes the primary duration of the mission, spanning 7 to 14 days of continuous underwater habitation and task execution. During this period, the crew conducts a range of analog activities to test human factors and technologies relevant to spaceflight. Key activities include simulated extravehicular activities (EVAs) on the seafloor, where aquanauts in diving gear perform geology surveys and astronaut training exercises to replicate planetary surface operations.^[5]^[39] Biomedical experiments focus on sleep patterns and cognitive performance under isolation and hyperbaric conditions, using wearables like activity rings to monitor sleep stages, latency, and alertness, alongside surveys for mood and fatigue assessment.^[12] Engineering tests evaluate tools, procedures, and habitat interfaces, such as mobility aids and communication systems, to refine designs for extraterrestrial use.^[40] The egress phase concludes the mission with a controlled decompression ascent, often requiring 15 to 24 hours in a hyperbaric chamber to gradually return to surface pressure and prevent decompression sickness.^[5]^[10] Daily routines in NEEMO missions emulate the demanding schedules of space operations, featuring 16-hour workdays that integrate science tasks, equipment maintenance, and team debriefs. Activities begin with morning planning sessions around 6 a.m., followed by EVAs, experiments, and engineering evaluations, with built-in periods for meals and rest to simulate spacecraft constraints.^[10] Communication protocols incorporate artificial blackouts or delays, such as 20-minute lags to mimic Mars mission timelines, forcing autonomous decision-making and testing crew resilience to isolation.^[10] Crew roles, including commander, engineer, and scientist, distribute responsibilities across these routines to ensure comprehensive mission support.^[5] Data collection occurs continuously to inform NASA's space exploration strategies, utilizing real-time telemetry from sensors monitoring crew physiology, environmental conditions, and equipment performance. Video logs capture EVAs and intra-habitat activities for procedural analysis, while post-mission evaluations integrate findings from biomedical metrics, task efficiency data, and qualitative debriefs to update operational guidelines and training protocols.^[5]^[39]^[12]

Missions

Early Missions (2001–2005)

The NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) program launched its inaugural mission, NEEMO 1, from October 21 to 27, 2001, lasting seven days with a crew of four, including NASA astronauts Michael López-Alegría and Michael Gernhardt, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Dave Williams, and dive technician Bill Todd.^[41]^[9]^[42] This initial underwater analog focused on evaluating basic habitat habitability in the Aquarius facility, assessing daily living routines under saturation diving conditions that simulated spacecraft confinement, and testing foundational extravehicular activity (EVA) protocols using scuba equipment to mimic spacewalk mobility and procedures. The mission established core operational templates for crew integration with mission control and highlighted the Aquarius habitat's potential as a neutral buoyancy analog for space exploration training.^[2] Subsequent missions in 2002, NEEMO 2 through 4, built on these foundations with progressive emphasis on crew coordination and operational refinements, each lasting 5 to 9 days. NEEMO 2 (May 13–20, 2002) and NEEMO 3 (July 15–21, 2002) involved crews of four, including astronauts like Michael Fincke and Daniel Tani for NEEMO 2, and John Herrington and Daniel Olivas for NEEMO 3, prioritizing team dynamics in isolated settings and EVA tool evaluations for enhanced coordination during simulated space tasks.^[42] NEEMO 4 (September 23–27, 2002), a shorter 5-day mission with a crew featuring Scott Kelly and Rex Walheim, introduced initial medical experiments, notably testing telesurgery techniques to assess remote medical interventions in extreme environments.^[43] These early efforts refined communication protocols and crew resource management, demonstrating reliable performance with no major incidents. From 2003 to 2004, NEEMO 5 through 7 extended mission durations to 10–14 days, incorporating more complex analogs for International Space Station (ISS) operations and international collaboration. NEEMO 5 (June 16–29, 2003), the longest at 14 days, featured Peggy Whitson and Clayton Anderson, focusing on extended habitat living and ISS-like maintenance tasks to evaluate long-term habitability.^[42] NEEMO 6 (July 12–21, 2004) and NEEMO 7 (October 11–21, 2004), each around 10–11 days, included crews with John Herrington for NEEMO 6 and Robert Thirsk (Canadian Space Agency) for NEEMO 7, emphasizing EVA-integrated science and physiological monitoring for ISS analog activities.^[42]^[44] International participation, which began with NEEMO 1, continued prominently in these missions to foster multinational crew interoperability.^[9] Across the seven early NEEMO missions from 2001 to 2005, the program successfully established standardized protocols for underwater analogs, achieving operational stability with minimal safety incidents and providing critical data on crew isolation effects. Key outcomes included validated countermeasures for psychological and behavioral challenges in confined environments, such as structured team exercises and communication enhancements, which informed strategies for long-duration spaceflight and reduced risks associated with isolation.^[43]^[2] These missions laid the groundwork for future expansions by confirming the efficacy of Aquarius as a high-fidelity testbed for habitability, EVA efficiency, and interdisciplinary research.

Mid-Period Missions (2006–2012)

The mid-period of NEEMO missions, spanning 2005 to 2012, marked a phase of heightened operational complexity, incorporating international partners and advanced simulations for lunar and beyond-Earth exploration, while navigating budgetary constraints. These nine missions—NEEMO 8 through 16—built on prior foundational work by emphasizing endurance testing, multinational crew dynamics, and integration of robotics and extravehicular activities (EVAs) to support NASA's Constellation program objectives for returning humans to the Moon.^[45] Outcomes from these efforts provided critical data on human-robot interactions and autonomous operations, informing procedures for long-duration spaceflight and resource utilization in extreme environments.^[46] NEEMO 8, conducted from April 20 to 22, 2005, served as a brief three-day shakedown following upgrades to the Aquarius habitat, validating system reliability and crew procedures in the enhanced facility.^[47] NEEMO 9, held April 3 to 20, 2006, set a program record with an 18-day duration to assess aquanaut endurance, physiological responses, and remote medical technologies, including telesurgery demonstrations using miniaturized robots for simulated space-based interventions.^[48] NEEMO 10, a six-day mission from July 22 to 28, 2006, focused on short-term analog testing for space habitation and basic EVA protocols post-upgrades.^[49] Subsequent missions NEEMO 11 through 13, from 2006 to 2007, introduced international collaboration with astronauts from the European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), enhancing crew interoperability for multinational endeavors. NEEMO 11 (September 16–22, 2006) tested lunar analog EVAs using gravity-offset techniques to simulate reduced-gravity mobility and surface operations.^[50] NEEMO 12 (May 7–18, 2007), an 11-day effort, advanced human-robot interaction through telesurgery evaluations with distributed robotic systems for autonomous medical procedures in isolated settings.^[51] NEEMO 13 (August 6–15, 2007) emphasized lunar exploration concepts, including autonomy in EVAs, geological sampling analogs, and medical countermeasures for extended missions, co-sponsored by the National Space Biomedical Research Institute.^[46] A funding hiatus from 2008 to 2009 delayed operations amid NASA's programmatic shifts, resuming with NEEMO 14 (May 10–23, 2010), a 14-day mission evaluating rover navigation, cargo handling, and EVA performance in simulated deep-space conditions.^[52] NEEMO 15 (October 20–26, 2011), shortened to 7 days due to Hurricane Rina, featured commander training for International Space Station (ISS) rotations, with crew practicing leadership in asteroid proximity operations and resource scouting analogs.^[53] NEEMO 16 (June 11–22, 2012), lasting 12 days, targeted near-Earth asteroid mission simulations, assessing communication delays up to 5 minutes, restraint systems for microgravity translation, and optimal crew configurations for human-robotic teamwork.^[54]

Later Missions (2013–2019)

Following the transitional SEATEST II mission in September 2013, which served as a five-day technical validation for extravehicular activity (EVA) suits and systems in the Aquarius habitat, NASA's NEEMO program resumed full operations with NEEMO 18 in July 2014.^[55] This nine-day mission, commanded by NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, emphasized behavioral health, human performance, habitability, and communication delays to simulate deep-space missions like those to Mars, incorporating international partners such as ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet.^[13] NEEMO 19 followed in September 2014 as a seven-day mission under commander NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik, and focused on tele-mentoring operations for remote guidance, alongside Mars analog geology studies and astrobiology investigations to refine surface exploration protocols, with an international crew including CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen and ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen.^[56] NEEMO 20, from July 20 to August 2, 2015, lasted 14 days, led by ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano, prioritizing planetary sampling tools, EVA techniques in partial gravity simulations, and the integration of 3D printing for on-site hardware fabrication to support autonomous exploration.^[57] Subsequent missions from NEEMO 21 through 23 adapted to logistical challenges, including shorter durations and enhanced focus on emerging technologies. NEEMO 21, conducted in July-August 2016 for 16 days under commander Ronald Garan (civilian), tested advanced tools like DNA sequencers, medical telemetry devices, and Microsoft HoloLens for augmented reality-based training in simulated spacecraft conditions.^[58] NEEMO 22 in June 2017, a ten-day effort commanded by NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren, advanced exploration spacewalks and International Space Station-derived tasks, evaluating informatics and EVA informatics for future lunar and deep-space operations.^[59] NEEMO 23 marked a post-hurricane recovery milestone in June 2019, as the first Aquarius mission since Hurricane Irma's 2017 damage to the facility, featuring an all-female crew led by ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti over ten days; it integrated virtual reality for pre-mission training simulations and STEM outreach activities, while assessing xEVA systems and lunar surface analogs to inform Artemis program objectives.^[60]^[39] Across these seven missions (2013-2019), NEEMO emphasized shorter mission profiles—typically 7-10 days—driven by habitat maintenance logistics and funding constraints, yet delivered key outcomes in EVA validation, analog geology, and technology integration that bolstered NASA's Commercial Crew Program transitions and early Artemis planning.^[2] No further NEEMO missions have occurred as of 2025, with NEEMO 24 planned for 2022 but not conducted.^[1]^[2]

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NEEMO's Undersea Operations: Making Telemedicine a Long ...
Oct 19, 2004 · Aquanauts aboard NASA's undersea research station, Aquarius, have performed simulated medical procedures with the help of a Canadian doctor 1300 miles away.Missing: upgrades conferencing
[31]
Evaluation of Teleoperated Surgical Robots in an Enclosed ...
This Aquarius habitat and the NEEMO program serve as an ideal research platform to spur collaborative accelerated development of advanced medical technology ...Missing: upgrades conferencing
[32]
[PDF] Evidence Report: Risk of Decompression Sickness (DCS)
resolved in the 100% O2 atmosphere as the missions proceeded (Hawkins & Zieglschmid 1975). This was not an unexpected outcome based on previous PB ...
[33]
ESA - Tim scuba diving for space
May 30, 2012 · All ESA astronauts are trained as Advanced Open Water scuba divers and certified to the standards of the Professional Association of Diving ...
[34]
From Sea to Space - Divers Alert Network
Mar 7, 2025 · The NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) ... training according to American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) standards.
[35]
[PDF] NEEMO 18-20 - NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Aquarius underwater habitat for up to 2 weeks at a time. Aquarius is the world's only undersea research facility and is located ~3.5 miles off Key Largo, FL ...Missing: specifications | Show results with:specifications
[36]
[PDF] NEEMO 23 EVA & Science Operations Summary of Results | NASA
EVA & ARES will evaluate the detailed EVA interaction with an integrated Science Team striving to collect and test authentic scientific objectives and ...
[37]
[PDF] EVA-EXP-0042 EXPLORATION EVA SYSTEM CONCEPT ... - NASA
Jan 28, 2020 · In Phase 3, NASA will conduct humanity's first missions to another planet, with the initial crewed flight of the Deep Space Transport to the ...
[38]
[PDF] Exploration EVA Results | NASA
Dec 9, 2015 · Why NEEMO? • NEEMO provides a flexible environment that can mimic microgravity, milli-gravity, and partial gravity missions with EVA crewmembers ...
[39]
[PDF] NASA's Analog Missions - BryceTech
Sep 13, 2010 · NEEMO 8: Remotely Operated Vehicle Teammate. NEEMO 7: Testing Telerobotic Medicine. 2004. NEEMO 6: Supporting NASA's Vision. 2003. NEEMO 5 ...
[40]
neemo 7 - [ Record Viewer ] NLSP
The seventh NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) mission began on October 11, 2004 on board the underwater research vessel Aquarius.
[41]
[PDF] NASA's Analog Missions: Driving Exploration Through Innovative ...
Aug 29, 2012 · This 12 day mission occurred June 11 – 22, 2012 and derived its name from being the 16th NEEMO mission to date. It built upon the work ...
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[ Record Viewer ] NLSP - NASA
NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) has astronauts live in the NOAA Aquarius habitat (19 meters underwater off the coast of Florida). ... NEEMO ...Missing: dimensions | Show results with:dimensions
[43]
NEEMO | National Aeronautics and Space Administration Wiki
NASA has used it since 2001 for a series of space exploration simulation missions, usually lasting 7 to 14 days, with space research mainly conducted by ...
[44]
University of Nebraska surgical robots in 18-day aquanaut ...
Apr 12, 2006 · NASA is using tiny surgical robots developed by University of Nebraska researchers as part of an underwater mission designed to train ...
[45]
Type: Mission - [ Record Viewer ] NLSP
Program Name: Ground. Mission ID: NEEMO 10. Spacecraft/Location: Aquarius. Launch Date: Land Date: Duration: 6 Days. Payload ID: NEEMO 10. Year: 2006.
[46]
NASA Continues Space Exploration Research With NEEMO ...
Sep 1, 2006 · Aquarius is a 45-foot-long, 13-foot-diameter complex three miles off Key Largo in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The laboratory ...
[47]
NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operation (NEEMO) 12 - DTIC
This surgical robotics research was conducted in part in the National Undersea Research Center NURC Aquarius Habitat during the NASA Extreme Environment Mission ...
[48]
NEEMO 14: Evaluation of Human Performance for Rover, Cargo ...
During the 2-week NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) 14 mission, four crewmembers performed a series of EVA tasks under different simulated EVA ...
[49]
NASA'S NEEMO Mission Ending Early Due To Hurricane Rina
Oct 26, 2011 · This year's mission was the first NEEMO to focus on operational concepts that would be used in human exploration of an asteroid. “Despite ...
[50]
NASA Announces 16th Undersea Exploration Mission Dates and Crew
Apr 16, 2012 · This NEEMO expedition will focus on three areas: communication delays, restraint and translation techniques, and optimum crew size. The crew of ...Missing: objectives | Show results with:objectives
[51]
Findings from Sea Test II - NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
May 22, 2014 · Sea Test II, aka NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations 17(NEEMO 17) took place in the Florida Aquarius undersea habitat.
[52]
NASA Explores Additional Undersea Missions With NEEMO Projects ...
Jul 21, 2014 · ESA astronaut and NEEMO 18 crew member Thomas Pesquet completes his helmet dive training ... weeks at a time. The crew members, called ...
[53]
NEEMO 20: Science Training, Operations, and Tool Development
The primary science objectives of NEEMO 20 was to study planetary sampling techniques and tools in partial gravity environments under realistic mission ...
[54]
NEEMO 21: Tools, Techniques, Technologies & Training for Science ...
Nov 2, 2016 · The 21st mission of the NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) was a highly integrated operational test and evaluation of tools ...
[55]
NASA Prepares for Future Space Exploration with International ...
Jun 12, 2017 · NASA will send an international crew to the floor of the Atlantic Ocean this summer to prepare for future deep space missions.
[56]
NASA Prepares for Future Moon Exploration with International ...
May 20, 2019 · NASA will join an international crew on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean this summer to prepare for future deep space missions.