Interstellar Performance Labs Programs & Services
What does it mean to
To Stay Stellar is to lead with integrity, own your growth, and rise to meet the moment—especially when it’s hard. It’s a mindset we train, model, and expect from ourselves and the people we work with. Whether you’re stepping into a mission, building a team, or overhauling a system, Staying Stellar means showing up fully, failing forward, and holding yourself to a higher standard—because performance, safety, and leadership start with you.
Stay Stellar?
You’re building something bigger than yourself—and you need people and systems that can keep up.
Every training we offer is rooted in the NASA Human Behavior & Performance Competency Model—because in high-pressure environments, knowledge isn’t enough. We develop the full human system: communication, conflict management, leadership, team living, cultural awareness, emotional regulation, and situational decision-making. Because in on Earth—and beyond—your ability to Stay Stellar under pressure is the real test.
It’s not just about knowledge
You’ve already said yes to the mission. Now you’re ready to lead like it matters.
You’re done playing weekend warrior. It’s time to train like this is your career.
You’ve got the grit—now you want the structure, systems, and feedback to back it up.
You’re ready to unify your team—and get everyone moving with purpose.
You’ve got the mission goals. Now you need the people skills to execute under pressure.
You’re not just looking for advice—you want safety systems, risk tools, and mission-ready infrastructure that actually work.
Does this sound like you?
Human Spaceflight Analog Training Course
The STAR Course is self-paced training built to develop operational readiness, mental performance, team dynamics, and human factors awareness. Completing the course unlocks eligibility for immersive opportunities including STAR Analog Missions, certifications, and extreme-environment experiences. Stay ready. Stay Stellar.
Build the Foundation
Your Next Steps
The STAR Course is launching soon, rebuilt as self-study training you can complete anytime. Early sign-ups get first access at the lowest available rate, and a small beta group will be chosen to test portions at no cost in exchange for thoughtful feedback.
The ANALOG ASTRONAUT JourneY
What’s Inside the Training Course
You can stop here, or if you're looking to professionalize your journey, you can move to stage 4.
Knowledge Reviews
Solidify your understanding with quizzes and final exam prep that reinforce key lessons and ensure mission readiness.
Modules & Lessons
Nine self-study modules built around astronaut-grade Human Behavior and Performance competencies, focused on operational clarity, real risk awareness, and crew readiness.
Performance Toolkit
Download practical planners, safety checklists, communication frameworks, and decision tools you can apply in real analog operations.
Sign up early to preview what’s changing and receive the lowest pre-launch rate before public release.
JOIN PRIORITY ACCESS
1
When the course goes live, you’ll receive first notice and can enroll before the public rate increases.
register for the course
2
Work through each module and learn at your own pace with videos, readings, reflections, and quizzes.
complete the course
3
Demonstrate your readiness and apply for candidacy, signaling rigor and preparation for certification opportunities.
Take the star candidate exam
4
Participate in a virtual or in-person certification intensive to apply STAR skills in operational scenarios and crew environments.
join a certification session
5
Enter the STAR Candidate Registry to formalize certification and step into mission roles where opportunities are earned, recognized, and compensated.
register your certification status
6
STAR Summit 2026
STAR Summit is a 5-day, in-person readiness expedition designed to deepen real operational skills, human performance, leadership, and teamwork in dynamic, challenging conditions. You train through movement, navigation, decision-making, and crew tasks alongside others focused on growth and mission competence. Participation is limited and experiential.
Event Dates: April 25-29, 2026 | Oracle, AZ, Biosphere 2
For Analog Crews Ready to Launch
human performance under stress
Experience guided challenges that reveal how you perform under pressure and how to manage stress with clarity and confidence.
summit swag
Receive your STAR Summit t-shirt, mission patch, and expedition workbook designed for note-taking, team drills, and debrief insights.
What We’ll Cover
Your STAR Summit Experience
Here is how it works
expedition & trust building
Complete a full-day guided canyon expedition that brings leadership, trust, and collaboration into clear view.
Performance Insights
Complete an assessment before the Summit and receive personalized insights on leadership, communication, decision-making, and stress performance to guide your week.
Crew Performance & Decision Skills
Practice real-world team coordination, communication, and judgment in scenarios that mirror mission demands and selection environments.
operational & field skills
Apply navigation, task execution, and expedition field skills in team settings that mirror real analog operations.
Join as an individual or a team. Register to secure one of the limited Summit seats and lock in early-bird pricing.
claim your spot
1
Complete your pre-Summit assessment, then arrange travel to Oracle, AZ through Phoenix or Tucson airports.
logistics
2
Arrive at Biosphere 2 on April 25 between 10–11 AM for onsite check-in, gear verification, and crew orientation.
event check-in
3
Move through daily workshops, field challenges, and technical training while strengthening communication, teamwork, leadership, and resilience.
train through action
4
Build trust, align roles, learn from others, and deepen self-awareness through structured debriefs and small-crew collaboration loops.
integration
5
Close the week having stretched your limits, strengthened your crew mindset, and translated your training into mission-ready confidence.
transformation
6
Continue the mission at the Analog Astronaut Conference immediately after STAR Summit, extending training, community, and crew momentum.
stay for the analog astronaut conference
7
Attend the Analog Astronaut Conference immediately following STAR Summit and receive $200 off your Summit registration when you register for both.
Hourly Consulting
Need targeted support? We offer hourly consulting tailored to your needs—focused, flexible, and mission-aligned.
We plan and staff analog missions for research, providing the site, structure, and professional crew.
Safety Systems & Reporting Infrastructure
Build reporting structures and feedback loops that track trends, improve communication, and support a proactive safety culture.
Human Factors & Reliability Analysis
Identify risk-prone workflows, predict human error, and design systems that support safe, efficient, high-performance operations.
Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis
Go beyond the surface to uncover systemic and human causes—then implement solutions that stop repeat events.
Consulting Focus Areas
Standards & Operational Readiness
Develop or refine safety guidelines, run mission-specific risk reviews, and prepare your team to execute under pressure.
Organization & Deployment
Your Consulting Journey
How it Works
Share your challenges and goals—we’ll explore how our consulting services can support your mission.
Book your 30-minute discovery call
1
Together, we’ll identify the most impactful services for your team or project.
Define the Scope
2
You’ll get a tailored proposal with clear outcomes, timeline, and delivery options.
Receive your custom plan
3
Engage & elevate
4
Trusted by
Investment
human spaceflight analog training course
Self-study training to understand the risks, efforts, and responsibilities as an analog astronaut. Build operational clarity, strengthen leadership and performance, and translate skills into earned opportunities to stand out and contribute to crews.
For Individuals
Coming Soon
star summit 2026
A 5-day in-person readiness expedition for teams or solo participants. Train through crew operations, field challenges, technical skills, and personalized performance insights on Day 1. Leave with expanded resilience, stronger crew trust, and a transformed mission mindset.
For Individuals or Teams
Early Bird Pricing ends February 28
Please email starsummit@iplabs.space for group rates and inquiries.
Helping you succeed in extraordinary missions
The STAR.CREW training was excellent and challenging in several ways. I enjoyed the teamwork sessions where we learned key communication skills to ensure mission success. I also enjoyed being challenged by the workouts! The training left me and my teammates with a great bond that I hope will continue for years to come. I expect to see everyone in space someday!
Gopal Katkoria
Certified STAR Candidate & WBA Candidate
Emily Apollonio and the IPL Team have created a cosmic training model for analog astronaut missions. As a first-time analog astronaut, I was uncertain of what to expect, but the program has covered mission focused lessons that have prepared me to handle the unknown and given me the skills to complete my mission. From team building to physical fitness, I'm prepared. All systems go!
CHILL-ICE III Analog Astronaut
ICEE Space
This course was helpful in two ways. First, it helped solidify relationships with my crew mates prior to undergoing an analog together. Second, it allowed me to better understand how I function in groups, how to best support my crew mates, and in general just gave me insight into who I am.
Eiman Jahangir
Citizen Astronaut
The in-person training was a lively environment, culture, and curriculum tailored to improving my skills and making me a better crew mate to all.
WBA Candidate
Having completed STAR for Analogs, I feel supremely equipped and confident to embark on future analog space missions. The training, resources, and community access provided by this program serve as invaluable tools for anyone keen on pushing the boundaries of space exploration. I wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone who envisions themselves participating in pioneering analog missions in the near future.
Amos Behana
Certified STAR Candidate
Built for Extraordinary Missions
Why Choose Interstellar Performance Labs
At Interstellar Performance Labs, powered by Fort Hill Group, we operate with precision, purpose, and a fire to raise the bar—because in our world, lives, missions, and reputations are on the line. We fuse real-world expertise in astronaut training, aviation safety, and human factors with science-backed frameworks like HFACS, NASA’s Human Behavior Competency Model, and IGSA standards. Our clients walk away sharper, more cohesive, and mission-ready—because we don’t just train teams; we transform them. If you're looking for next-level performance and consulting that actually moves the needle, you're in the right orbit.
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
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.
