About IP Labs

Interstellar Performance Labs prepares high-performing individuals, crews, habitats, and mission-driven organizations to thrive in extreme environments. Through hands-on training, human factors consulting, and safety-forward systems, we build the kind of leadership, cohesion, and readiness that bold missions demand. Because real mission success doesn’t happen by chance—it’s trained and practiced.

Who we are

Built for bold missions

About IP Labs

Our mission:

To launch the era of mission-ready teams by raising safety and performance standards, optimizing human potential, and equipping teams with the tools, mindset, and systems to lead bold missions—on Earth and beyond.

How we got here

The moves that built IPL

Mission Milestones

The beta version of what would grow into our signature training. We tested a mini program called Launchpad to STAR focused on astronaut readiness, human performance, and leadership—and proved there was a real need for more.

The spark that started it all. What began as a deep-dive into the analog world turned into an immersive learning experience—and the foundation for what would become Interstellar Performance Labs.

March 2022 | Emily’s First Analog Mission

We officially launched IPL and joined forces with global analog leaders to start pushing safety, training, and standards forward. This marked the beginning of our safety-first movement.

April 2022 | First In-Person Analog Astronaut Conference

September 2022 | Launchpad to STAR

With new improvements and expert contributors, we trained another six STARs from around the world. The mission-ready movement kept growing.

Our founder spearheaded a grassroots initiative to bring greater professionalism and structure to the analog space community. By collaborating with other leaders and habitats, she helped launch the first effort to align on safety, training, and human factors standards across analog missions.

November 2022 | International Guidelines and Standards for Space Analogs

We rolled out the full 9-week STAR program—and certified our first six candidates. This was the start of a new era of structured, mission-ready training.

march 2023 | First STAR Cohort 23.1

January 2024 | Second STAR Cohort 24.1

IPL was hired to conduct a full mission safety audit for the first time—including a human factors investigation, debrief, and recommendations that were later implemented in 2025.

We refined our approach with advanced assessments and crew evaluation protocols. Five more STARs certified—with stronger self-awareness and team insight than ever.

May 2024 | Third STAR Cohort 24.2

We scaled our training like never before—delivering a two-cohort self-study program to 75 candidates. Peer evaluations, monthly mentorship, and selection support were all part of it.

August 2024 | World’s Biggest Analog

October 2024 | First Human Factors Safety Audit

We brought it all to life in person—leading an intensive week of physical and mental development, team dynamics, leadership, and safety for mission preparation. This was the next level.

Began to rebuild the STAR program from the ground up to fully integrate NASA’s Human Behavior & Performance Competency Model as our foundation. Every element—from self-awareness to team dynamics—is now aligned with what it takes to become truly mission-ready by space agency standards.

January 2025 | Grounded in NASA’s HBP Competencies

May 2025 | First STAR In-Person Training

Ownership

If it’s in your hands, it’s your responsibility. No blame-shifting. No waiting. Just action.

Humility

This isn’t about who’s right—it’s about getting it right. Humility wins missions.

Feedback

Say the thing. Hear the thing. Get better. That’s the deal.

Discomfort

Growth demands discomfort. We don’t just tolerate it—we train for it.

Curiosity

If you don’t understand, ask. If you’re challenged, learn. If you messed up, own it and evolve.

Progress

We iterate fast. Learn fast. Improve fast. Progress always beats perfection.

Systems Thinking

Every action either strengthens or weakens the system. Be the upgrade.

Training

You don’t get what you want. You get what you train for. Reps, rigor, and relentless intent.

Respect

We train in diverse, dynamic teams. Respect isn’t optional—it’s how we thrive.

Safety

It’s not a checklist. It’s a culture—and it starts with how we prepare.

Interstellar Performance Labs Values:

 Because the 

We kept seeing people and organizations step into high-stakes environments without the training, leadership, or systems to back them. So we built what we couldn’t find: mission-ready training for teams, and consulting that helps organizations embed safety and performance into everything they do. Our mission is to professionalize the industry—whether it’s space, analogs, or beyond—by raising expectations and helping people and systems perform when it matters most.

Why we exist

bar was too low

Let’s clear up a few things you might be wondering

We’re sure you have questions

01.

Who is this training for?

Anyone preparing for a human spaceflight analog mission, leading a high-stakes team, or looking to improve safety, leadership, and human performance.

02.

What if I don’t complete the certification?

You’ll still walk away with new tools, insights, and performance strategies you can apply to any team or mission—even without the final badge.

03.

 Can this training help my team at work?

Absolutely. Our methods are grounded in high-stakes environments but designed to improve leadership, cohesion, and communication in any mission-driven team. We can even work with you to create customized training for your analog habitats, research teams, and companies.

04.

Can I hire you to consult for my habitat?

Yes. We offer custom consulting packages for safety reporting systems, risk assessments, onboarding tools, and more.

Our Approach

Fundamental Frameworks, Industry Standards, and Methodologies

We train for the moments that matter—when systems break down, pressure spikes, and teams either rise or fall. Because in this work, mission success isn’t earned by showing up. It’s earned in how you prepare.

A collaborative benchmark we helped shape—ensuring our programs meet the highest expectations for safety, reliability, and analog mission preparedness.

International Guidelines and Standards for Space Analogs (IGSA):

A proven framework for identifying and preventing human error—so we don’t just react to failures, we get ahead of them.

Human Factors Analysis Classification System (HFACS):

The gold standard for astronaut training—used to develop the mindset, communication, and decision-making skills needed to lead in isolation, pressure, and uncertainty.

NASA’s Human Behavior Competency Model:

Our approach combines science-backed frameworks and standards trusted across human spaceflight analogs and high-risk environments. But we don’t stop at theory—we build real-world readiness. Every training, assessment, and consulting deliverable is crafted to raise the bar for what safe, effective, and mission-ready should actually look like.

We use:

Meet the Team

Human Factors Consultant & STAR Instructor

Founder of Interstellar Performance Labs and the architect of the STAR Program, Emily blends accident investigation expertise, human spaceflight analog mission and isolation, and astronaut training science to lead crews and leaders to next-level performance.

Emily Apollonio

STAR Instructor & NASA HERA Analog Astronaut

A NASA HERA analog astronaut, geologist, and marine research specialist, Sandra blends deep science with real-world experience. With 12+ years at sea and a PhD from ETH Zurich, she brings operational clarity, imaging expertise, and global fieldwork experience to every training she leads.

Dr. Sandra Herrmann

STAR Instructor & Mentor

Christina is a space nutrition scientist with a passion for extreme environments. Now at the German Aerospace Center, she’s shaping the future of astronaut health. TEDx speaker, ESA intern, and SCaN scholar—she’s here to make sure crews are fueled for performance, resilience, and survival.

Christina Valagkouti

Advisor

A retired Air Force Colonel and expert in threat assessment and resilience, Dr. Hesterman’s strategic insight helps us think bigger, prepare better, and lead stronger—especially when it comes to safety and crisis response.

Dr. Jenni Hesterman

Advisor

Co-developer of HFACS and a pioneer in human factors, Dr. Shappell helps us raise the bar on error analysis and system performance. His mentorship not only sharpens our mission—it’s instrumental in adapting HFACS to the unique demands of human spaceflight analog environments.

Dr. Scott Shappel

Ready to         your standard?

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