Anay (Year 11, Keysborough) is headed to the moon via Phoenix, Arizona. Anay is one of only a handful of young Australians chosen to join a group of aspiring young future space scientists from around the world.
Anay, 16, recently represented Australia at the prestigious International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), which is the world’s leading high school science competition. This is the latest in a string of space-related accolades for Anay.
Last year he was the youngest presenter at the 76th International Astronautical Congress in Sydney and the youngest presenter to take to the stage at the International Conference on Environmental Sciences in Prague.
At ISEF, Anay presented his latest research which examines how the build-up of exhaled carbon dioxide during space flight and during space missions like the recent Artemis II exploration can impact astronauts and their health and functioning.
Often described as the Olympics of Science, ISEF combines rigorous academic competition with an intense global networking and social experience.
“For me, the STEM College and Career Fair was invaluable. It gave me the opportunity to speak with leading U.S. and U.K. universities to discuss my research portfolio and share my aspirations. Surrounded by 1,700 young scientists from 67 countries, the fair felt like a gateway into a global community of future scientists, engineers and innovators,” Anay tells us.
Anay’s research involved visiting a space-simulation facility in Poland that mirrors the key environmental and psychological challenges that astronauts experience on board the International Space Station. As one of the world’s youngest analogue astronauts, Anay experienced the confinement, limited ventilation, artificial lighting and ongoing background noise that are part of life in space.
He also had to get used to an astronaut’s diet of pre-packaged food and limited water while carrying out his experiments that analysed the impacts of CO2 build-up.
“Sleep disruption is common in spaceflight, but the role of elevated CO2 is not well understood,” says Anay.
“Sleep is critical in high-risk environments, like spaceflight, as it directly affects cognitive performance and mission-critical decision-making. At higher CO2 levels, astronauts often report headaches and fatigue.
“But this isn’t just a space problem. It applies here on Earth, too. In energy-efficient buildings, limited ventilation, high occupancy and everyday activity allow CO2 to quietly build up in classrooms, offices and even our bedrooms to potentially affect our sleep and cognitive performance.”
However, it is space and what lies beyond that holds the greatest fascination for this young scientist. He hopes to specialise in space medicine and become a flight surgeon who takes care of the health and safety of astronauts before, during and after missions.
“I would love to be part of a space agency and to contribute to missions to the moon and Mars,” he says.
“Space exploration has always been something I’ve been drawn to. The idea of helping humans to survive and thrive in such a harsh environment keeps me curious and motivated.”
