In her book "Packing for Mars," Mary Roach reflects on the absurdity of considering a walk-in freezer to simulate the experience of space travel. She emphasizes that the true essence of being in space cannot be adequately replicated by artificial environments, highlighting the uniqueness of the cosmic experience. Roach points out that understanding what happens to an individual alone in the vastness of space ultimately requires direct experience rather than mere simulations.

Roach’s commentary suggests that real-life experimentation is essential for comprehending the complexities of space travel. This means that to truly gauge the effects of isolation and the environment of space on a person, one must actually send a human into orbit. Her perspective underscores the inadequacy of relying solely on terrestrial analogs to capture the intricacies of life beyond Earth.