Astro Seven Summits
Dr. Musilova and her team’s pioneering project is called Astro Seven Summits. The project represents a world-first in performing scientific and educational activities, in collaboration with NASA and other organizations worldwide, on the Seven Summits of the world (the tallest mountain on each continent).
What is the Astro Seven Summits project?
Astro Seven Summits represents a world-first in performing scientific and educational activities, in collaboration with NASA and other organizations worldwide, on the Seven Summits of the world (the tallest mountain on each continent).
The goal of the project is to study various extreme forms of life (so-called extremophiles) that can survive at high altitudes. These studies will help us understand the limits of life on Earth, which in turn will help us answer the question of whether similar forms of life could exist elsewhere in the universe.
Astro Seven Summits will also contribute to research on climate change and the human impact on the environment around the world. One of the project team's priorities includes minimizing the impact of their expeditions on nature, and conducting ethical and fair collaborations with local communities on every continent.
In addition to performing scientific research and educational activities, a short documentary film will be filmed during each expedition. The films aim to make science more accessible to the public, show the roles women scientists and leaders can have, as well as approach topics related to climate change and its impact on humanity in an accessible way.
What part of the Astro Seven Summits project is Dr. Musilova and her team in today?
So far, they have successfully completed their expeditions to Kilimanjaro in Africa (2022), Aconcagua in South America (2023) and Denali in North America (2024). While their goal is not necessarily to reach the summit of those mountains for their research and educational purposes, Dr. Musilova and her team were able to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro and got to 6,200 meters (20,341 feet) on Aconcagua.
In 2024, Dr. Musilova and her team also plan to explore Vinson in Antarctica. Over the next couple of years, they are planning on completing their expeditions to Mount Everest and the remaining two peaks in Australia and Europe.
How you can join and help Dr. Musilova and her team?
Dr. Musilova and her team are fundraising in order to perform their research and educational expeditions. They are very grateful for all the support they can get - whether it’s donations, in kind services and goods, or different types of collaborations. Any and all help with this project will be very much appreciated. Every dollar/euro/other currency counts :).
Thank you very much for your time and consideration!
-Michaela Musilova and her team