LivingOnFakeMars (11:01 AM): Sure. For example: We conducted studies on crew water consumption and the logistics of exploration -- in other words, we saw how far can an astronaut travel on each extra-vehicular activity (EVA, or field excursion), how many EVAs can you reasonably conduct per day or per week, what mass of samples will they bring back, and most importantly, how much time does it take to carry out exploration. The only baselines we have for these metrics are based on Apollo, the FMARS study, and a few less rigorous studies conducted in the Arctic and Antarctica.
Dave on Earth (11:03 AM): Lots of figuring out the basics, which are penultimate in planning out any real mission...
LivingOnFakeMars (11:04 AM): Yup, lots of figuring out the basics.
Just answering that question "how do you explore another planet?" is reason enough.
On top of that, we want to know "what's the most efficient, effective way to explore another planet so that scientists back on Earth are able to process most of the data?"
We also conducted:
1) field studies relevant to Mars. E.g. At what depth in the permafrost are you most likely to encounter life?
2) relevant human factors studies. E.g. What are the best methods for coping with stress during a long duration mission?
3) other operational studies. E.g. we lived on "Mars time" for 37 days of the simulation... the Martian day is 39 minutes longer than an Earth day, so for more than a month we lived on the Mars clock.
We employed a 20-minute time delay for all communications. This meant no Web surfing, no instant messaging, no phone. Just e-mail with a 20-minute delay (with a few exceptions for outreach events).
Dave on Earth (11:07 AM): To follow-up to your statement about 6-month-long missions awhile back:
Buzz Aldrin has said that the first people leaving for Mars should not plan on returning. What do you think of that?
LivingOnFakeMars (11:08 AM): Many people have talked about a one-way mission to Mars! If a suitable crew is up for the challenge... why not?
I believe that we should establish permanent human bases off Earth, and Mars is the most logical place to start. The moon, while closer, has a very inhospitable surface environment compared to Mars.
Mars has all -- or nearly all -- of the ingredients necessary to support a human colony. Still, getting there and surviving the radiation are challenges that we're still dealing with.
Dave on Earth (11:09 AM): We've turned a little big-picture here; I have some other basic questions though:
1) Bathroom -- good or nasty?
2) Food -- just TVP or did you get other stuff?
3) R&R -- what did you do for fun?
LivingOnFakeMars (11:10 AM): 1) Bathroom facilities.... Typical Arctic field camp bathrooms, aka not too glamorous.
Your options are either to incinerate your waste, or fly it out. Sounds kinda gross at first thought, but us field geologists are used to it!
Dave on Earth (11:10 AM): Er, "fly it out"? You must describe this procedure.
LivingOnFakeMars (11:11 AM): Flying it out = storing waste in boxes, garbage bags, or empty fuel drums and flying it out on Twin Otter flights. Standard field procedures for environmental protection.
On Mars you would hope to have a fully functioning "Green Habitat" for recycling liquid and solid waste, via filters and plants. On the space station right now they have now installed a urine recycling system! Important for the moon and Mars.
2) Food -- we only ate foods that were shelf-storable for up to two years (as you'd need on a Mars mission). In addition, we grew our own lettuce in an Aerogrow chamber, and we grew our own sprouts in mason jars.
Those fresh veggies once a week were VERY important for morale.
Dave on Earth (11:12 AM): I could imagine, after eating out of bags for a few weeks.
LivingOnFakeMars (11:13 AM): 3) R&R: The crew was a bunch of workaholics, and we loved our work. But for a few hours a few days a week, we'd take a break to watch DVDs... We watched all the seasons of Lost up until that point.
Great show to watch, if you're stranded on an island like we were ;)
Dave on Earth (11:14 AM): Lost sure is fun, but it's getting ridiculous now. Still, I'll watch it devoutly.
Now for probing personal question #1: What was the lowest, most difficult point for you during the simulation?
LivingOnFakeMars (11:14 AM): Our workload was really heavy. We loved it, but it was overwhelming at times.
That and we were physically exhausted most of the time -- those surface suit simulators are kinda bulky, the equipment is heavy and the terrain is difficult to navigate.
On top of that, there were a few balmy summer days in July when I would have given anything to go swimming and eat fresh strawberries... But there's no swimming on Mars, and no strawberries.
We all had a few lonely days, but my crew was like my family and we helped each other out. We made a point of taking the day off each Sunday (to relax and not do too much work!), so I think that helped.
In addition, I was the commander of the crew, so I felt some extra pressure -- though I thrive on that kind of stuff!
Dave on Earth (11:16 AM): So no one thing really stuck out -- understandable.
Probing personal question #2: What was the highest point -- perhaps crunching into those fresh lettuce leaves?
LivingOnFakeMars (11:17 AM): At many points one of us would stop and comment on the shear awesomeness and significance of the project, and express hope that our work really would contribute to the first human missions to Mars...
...and possibly partake in future moon/Mars missions ourselves!
Although
the salad was pretty awesome too, we had bacon (the boxed microwave kind) on Sunday mornings.
Dave on Earth (11:17 AM): Probing personal question #3: What was the strangest moment you experienced during the mission?
LivingOnFakeMars (11:18 AM): Well, I didn't mention that for a few weeks during the summer there was another research camp on the island, not too far away from us.
At this time, however, we were living on Martian time and our days and nights were flipped. So we didn't see them often -- but when we did see them, it was weird!
To use a "Lost" reference... They were kinda like "the others"!
Dave on Earth (11:19 AM): Too funny :)
So my last question: Should humans colonize Mars?
LivingOnFakeMars (11:20 AM): I think we should --but only after we've spent some time on scientific exploration.
My personal feeling is that we should try to understand Mars as well as possible before we jump in and really contaminate potential habitats for Martian life. I think there's a reasonable chance that we may find life on Mars
If there is life, it's likely below the surface -- in permafrost, caves, volcanoes, or at the bottom of Vallis Marineras -- lots of places to look!
When we start sending really large-scale expeditions to Mars, our chances of contaminating the planet with terrestrial microbes will increase. So we need to find a balance between exploration and colonization.
Dave on Earth (11:23 AM): Thanks.
LivingOnFakeMars (11:24 AM): Now, why should we go? I feel that it's the destiny of humanity to do so.
The biggest reason is that the human race can't last forever on the Earth. But there are many more short term reasons...
For science and philosophy -- i.e. is there life on Mars?
For technology -- i.e. what we develop to support humans off of the Earth can be used back on Earth... more efficient recycling, water purification, communication, telerobotics, telesurgery, etc.
For inspiring the youth! -- i.e. great encouragement for students to go into science/engineering and advance technology in ways that will benefit all of humanity.
And, just in general, how cool would it be to live on Mars, and for humanity to become a space faring civilization?!
There's really not a heck of a lot standing in our way. All we need to do is to start thinking longer term, planning accordingly and embracing international partnerships and private industry involvement.
I think Mars colonization is an achievable goal within the century. But hopefully sooner than that :)
Dave on Earth (11:28 AM): I lied -- this is my last question: Would you do it again?
LivingOnFakeMars (11:28 AM): Yes! But I'd want to do a longer duration mission at a more remote site, then throw in a few new challenges to spice things up (and make sure that we continue to build on our current database of knowledge).
If all goes well, this may even come together in the next few years.
Dave on Earth (11:29 AM): Thanks so much for your time Melissa!
LivingOnFakeMars (11:30 AM): Great! Thanks Dave.
This was fun. :)
Article posted December 11, 2008.
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