SOLIS100 – studying the effects of isolation on humans
100 days of isolation to prepare astronauts for long-duration missions
SOLIS100 – studying the effects of isolation on humans
Sleeping pods for 100 days of isolation
The :envihab isolation module features a block of six sleeping pods for the crew members, stacked vertically and side by side. Each pod has its own ventilation system and are heavily soundproofed to offer a degree of privacy.
During the 100-day isolation period at the :envihab facility, the crew follows a strict work routine. Much like astronauts on the International Space Station ISS, the SOLIS100 study crew conducts a range of scientific experiments, from biological and physiological to motor and operational tests.
The isolation module comprises a communal area measuring approximately 70 square metres that is used for almost all daily activities: conducting scientific experiments, exercise, shared meals and leisure. Together with adjoining rooms (storage spaces, bathrooms, kitchen and medical examination room), the entire isolation module covers just 130 square metres.
SOLIS100 is an isolation study led by the European Space Agency (ESA) and conducted by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to investigate the effects of isolation. The study examines the impact of 100 days of isolation, confinement and limited resources on human health, performance and well-being. Held at :envihab – DLR's aerospace medicine research facility in Cologne – SOLIS100 is designed as a ground-based analogue for future long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars.
During the study, six carefully selected participants will live together for 100 days in a closed-off environment. Their daily routine will mirror everyday astronaut activities and involve teamwork, scientific tasks and operational challenges. The findings are expected to help better define the future medical, nutritional and psychological support needs of crew members on long-duration missions and improve preparations for crewed flights to deep space.
Future crewed missions aim to venture beyond low Earth orbit. There are plans for missions to the Moon and Mars, including the establishment of a permanent lunar base. These endeavours present fresh psychological and physical challenges, as they involve long travel times, extended mission durations and increased self-reliance for crew members in isolated, confined environments. Another aspect is that there are no immediate options for rescue in the event of an emergency.
Health impacts of confinement and limited resources
High-quality ground-based analogue studies are essential preparation for space explorers. During a mission, onboard resources are limited and there is little data available from real space flights. Isolation studies have therefore long been used as a form of analogue for space missions to investigate how isolation, confinement and resource limitations affect human health, behaviour and performance. However, current data remains limited, requiring additional research under controlled conditions to better understand the physical and psychological effects of these extreme conditions.
The objective of the SOLIS100 isolation study is to collect standardised data during a 100-day isolation phase so it can be compared with future campaigns at the same facility. In the 2024 SOLIS8 pilot study, which was also conducted in :envihab at the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine, researchers tested the facility and the planned structure of a longer isolation study.
The findings gained are now helping to better predict risks, optimise the selection and training of crew members, and devise strategies for maintaining their health and performance during long-duration missions.
News about the SOLIS isolation studies
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SOLIS100 project – effects of 100 days of isolation
