SIU alumnus shares lessons learned during a year on Mars

On Sept. 26, SIU alumnus Dr. Nathan Jones discussed his year-long NASA simulation mission in a detailed and entertaining presentation in the South Auditorium.

The Springfield emergency medicine physician shared stories about an out-of-this-world endurance test he completed on July 6, spending 378 days in a habitat that recreated what life would be like for a crew on a Mars mission.

Jones, 41, is a husband and father of three boys, and a graduate of SIU School of Medicine (Class of 2009).

Among his encouraging insights: For long-duration missions, NASA wants candidates with diverse skillsets who can work smoothly as part of a team. There is no unique career path to follow to be the perfect astronaut; being well-rounded and a good communicator helps.

“If you do the hard things that other people are not willing to do, you are going to increase your chances for success in life, in just about anything you do,” Jones said, “and you could get lucky like me.”

Following the debriefing, Jones presented an autographed CHAPEA-1 crew medallion to Dean Jerry Kruse, MD.

__

Guests who could not attend in person can view the talk online on WebEx recordings. Password: tYquAkh4

Read more about Nathan Jones here and in the Illinois Times.