This project involved the creation of an interactive virtual tour of the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Hanksville, Utah, freely available (Virtual Tour). Through a collection of 17 videos, the tour highlights sustainable practices and circular economy initiatives implemented during the Hypatia II mission at the MDRS station , with the goal to inspire similar actions on Earth. The project includes collaborators with organizations such as Planeta Huerto, which provided a portable composter for organic waste management, and Sepiia, which supplied sustainable clothing that requires no ironing and repels odors and dirt. Additionally, The Good Goal app will assist the crew in optimizing sustainability during the mission.
Hypatia’s Circular Odyssey is a research and outreach project developed during the Hypatia II analog mission at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS, Utah, USA). The project explores how waste and resources are managed in a Mars-like environment through the lens of the circular economy.
Using an interactive virtual tour, 17 videos, and 360° content, the project documents the crew’s sustainable practices, including daily waste-management strategies, the use of tools such as Planeta Huerto’s portable composter, Sepiia’s sustainable clothing, and environmental tracking through the Good Goal App.
The result is an educational and science-communication platform designed to bring space sustainability closer to the public and inspire positive change both in future missions and on Earth.
In addition, the project includes a didactic guide and two self-assessment questionnaires (available in Spanish and Catalan) that accompany the virtual tour. These resources offer an immersive educational experience: through the 360° walkthrough of the MDRS and 17 crew-led videos, users can explore what daily life on a simulated Mars mission looks like. The pre- and post-tour questionnaires encourage reflection, activate prior knowledge, and support participatory learning, making the experience especially valuable for students and educators.
The entire process will be included in a book to be published by GeoPlaneta in 2026, focusing on science communication and sustainable practices in extreme environments.
You can explore the virtual tour and all the materials and outcomes on the project website.
