Astronaut Team

where preparation meets exploration.

The Astronaut Team is responsible for preparing and supporting Southeast Analog’s astronaut crew throughout the mission lifecycle. From designing selection procedures to coordinating training exercises and mission readiness activities, the team ensures that crew members are prepared to operate in a high-fidelity analog mission environment.

Working closely with Mission Control, Logistics, Habitat & Suit Design, and Research teams, the Astronaut Team develops training programs that simulate the physical, technical, and teamwork challenges astronauts face during space missions.

Their work helps transform selected participants into a cohesive and mission-ready crew.

Join Astronaut Team

Team Leadership

Head of Astronauts

Neeharika Baireddy

Graduate Master’s Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech

Leads astronaut recruitment, crew selection, and training development while coordinating mission readiness activities across SEA teams.

Medical & Psychological Lead

Soha Ali

Undergraduate Freshman Neuroscience & Political Science at DePaul University

Supports the development of astronaut health and psychological training programs and assists with preparation of evaluation frameworks used during astronaut selection and mission readiness training.

Medical & Psychological Training Lead

Joven Christopher “Joey” Garcia

Health Sciences (Pre-Clinical Track) at University of Central Florida

Designs and instructs astronaut medical and emergency response training while helping develop health and performance protocols for the crew.

Aquatics Training Officer

Alexander Rodriguez

Graduate Master’s Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech

Develops aquatics training curriculum for astronaut preparation, including defining swim test requirements and designing both classroom and in-field aquatic safety lessons.

Aerial Operations Lead

Tilak Trivedi

Graduate Master’s Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech

Leads aerial systems training for astronaut operations, developing hands-on modules covering UAV operations, aerial reconnaissance, flight procedures, and mission support for EVA simulations and search-and-rescue exercises.

What we do

  • The team organizes and runs Southeast Analog’s astronaut selection process, where candidates complete technical challenges, teamwork exercises, and mission simulations designed to evaluate leadership, resilience, and problem-solving ability.

  • Astronauts participate in structured training programs covering mission operations, emergency response, communications procedures, and coordination with Mission Control.

  • Astronauts are trained on aerial observation, reconnaissance tools, and mission-specific flight procedures used during EVA support, environmental monitoring, and terrain mapping operations.

  • The team prepares astronauts for challenging environments through aquatics training, field exercises, and operational simulations that mirror the physical and psychological demands of real space missions.

  • Throughout mission preparation, the Astronaut Team works with other SEA teams to ensure astronauts understand mission systems, research protocols, and operational workflows before the simulation begins.