Four-Month Arctic Simulated Mars Mission A Success

[JonClarke]

Tuesday, August 21, 2007 - The Mars Society's four-month simulated Mars exploration mission in the Canadian High Arctic, the first of its kind, finished successfully today, achieving a significant milestone along the path to the manned exploration of space. In recognition of this occasion, the crew will have a teleconference tomorrow with astronaut Clay Anderson, currently on board the International Space Station. The seven researchers from across North America will then fly directly from the Arctic to the 10th International Mars Society Convention at UCLA in Los Angeles, CA, to present their preliminary results and share their experiences. Commander Melissa Battler and two of her crewmates will also meet with Dr. Gary Goodyear, Canadian Member of Parliament and Chair of the Canadian Space Caucus.<br /><br />http://marssociety.org/portal/Members/schnarff/FMARSWrapupISSTelecon/<br /><br />Kukos to the crew for such an achievement, the longest Mars analogue expedition to date, much of it under conditions of full simulation (wearing suits when going outside, undergoing simulated pressurisation/depressurisation cycles when entering or leaving the station.<br /><br />Hopefully there will be longer missions in the future.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[Swampcat]

Thanks for the link, Jon.<br /><br />Are there currently any plans for an even longer simulation? I can appreciate that spending any time on Devon Island during winter would be a serious challenge, but what factors would make it any more of a challenge than winter on Mars? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="3" color="#ff9900"><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>------------------------------------------------------------------- </em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."</em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong>Thomas Jefferson</strong></font></p></font> </div>

 

[JonClarke]

With the experienced gained from the 100 day mission that would be the obvious next step and the experience gained An 8 month mission would allow a winter over and a 16 month mission would approximate a Mars surface mission.<br /><br />A winter on Devon island would be a technically challenging exercise requiring very careful attention to logistics and safety. There is little or no opportunity for evacuation.<br /><br />Another challenge would be to carry out constructive work during the permanant darkness of the winter. this is something that would not be experienced on Mars (at least not until there are Mars polar stations). But it would allow extensive periods of operating on a Mars clock.<br /><br />But from a human factors perspective it would be very instructive. There are no plans as yet, I imagine with the planning the earliest a 9 month mission would happen would be the 2009-2010 winter, as it would require 18 months - two years of planning and fund raising. Remember that the Mars Society is a volunteer organisation with no regular cash stream, dependent entirely on grants and donations.<br /><br />Jon<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>