Kazakhstan marks a milestone this week as its first all-female crew embarks on a historic mission — not into space, but into a ground-based module meticulously engineered to replicate the conditions of real spaceflight.
The 10-day experiment, called SANA-1, places four female researchers in a confined habitat that simulates a spacecraft. While inside, they will rehearse scenarios for future expeditions. They will also undergo medical and psychological tests, practice teamwork and conduct educational experiments.
The crew includes:
- Yulia Bakirova, commander and specialist at the National Space Research Center.
- Assem Kuandyk, a researcher specializing in thermal insulation materials.
- Daria Komarova, space communications engineer.
- Linara Zhadigerova, researcher at the Institute of Ionosphere.
Driven by the vision of cosmonaut and Hero of Kazakhstan Aidyn Aimbetov, Eurasian Ventures Group launched the isolation module. The scientific program is led by Alina Gutoreva, Ph.D., a psychology professor at Kazakh-British Technical University.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development proclaims the crew as a bold stride toward gender equality, highlighting the country’s drive to train its own researchers for future space expeditions.
