January 17-19, 2026
University of Arizona Biosphere 2
Space Analog for the Moon & Mars (SAM)
Lead by Bindhu Oommen, MD and Kai Staats, MSC, this unique workshop brought together four practicing surgeons, two NASA consultants and former NASA flight surgeons, a SpaceX and VAST consultant, two graduate engineering students, and engineers and inventors with the SAM team.
In attendance were David Wexler, Michael Hodapp, Thomas Hoffman, Madelyn Hoying, Connor MacRobbie, Trent Tresch, Griffin Hentzen, Bindhu Oommen, and Kai Staats. The attendees gathered at the University of Arizona Biosphere 2 and Space Analog for the Moon & Mars to discuss, debate, and design an other world medical bay with surgical capabilities.
This was not a typical gathering with laptops, PowerPoint, and laser pointers. In fact, no one gave a presentation at all. Rather, the goal as to engage hands-on, to be designing as a team, working with our hands. Kai Staats led a small engineering challenge midway through the first day, to stimulate the way we solved problems.
The goal was to successfully hold a stone (various masses to choose from) on as few shish kebab sticks as possible, using string and glue as binding agents. It was a lot of fun, and lead into a lively discussion of what, exactly, will be needed to facilitate a fully functional surgical bay far, far from home.
AGENDA
Friday, January 17
Arrive to Biosphere 2, gather, get to know each other, and enjoy home made pizza in Casita 1300
Saturday, January 18
An all-day, “hands-on workshop where we start putting our ideas
down, so we can build something tangible. [We are] not expecting formal, stand-up
presentations, rather round-table discussion, ideas, concepts, and designs. Our imaginations are the limit.”
As a guide to the discussion, we propose the following:
1) Historic, industry review
2) Conditions List
3) Capabilities
Sunday, January 19
A behind-the-scene tour of Biosphere 2 and departure.
