Human crew-related aspects for astrobiology research

AbstractSeveral space agencies and exploration stakeholders have a strong interest in obtaining information on technical and human aspects to prepare for future extra-terrestrial planetary exploration. In this context, the EuroGeoMars campaign, organized with support from the International Lunar Exploration Working Group (ILEWG), the European Space Agency (ESA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center and partner institutes, was conducted by the crews 76 and 77 in February 2009 in The Mars Society's ‘Mars Desert Research Station’ (MDRS) in Utah.The EuroGeoMars encompasses two groups of experiments: (1) a series of field science experiments that can be conducted from an extra-terrestrial planetary surface in geology, biology, astronomy/astrophysics and the necessary technology and networks to support these field investigations; (2) a series of human crew-related investigations on crew time organization in a planetary habitat, on the different functions and interfaces of this habitat, and on man–machine interfaces of science and technical equipment.This paper recalls the objective of the EuroGeoMars project and presents the MDRS and its habitat layout. Social and operational aspects during simulations are described. Technical and operational aspects of biology investigations in the field and in the habitat laboratory are discussed in detail with the focus point set on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection of microbial DNA in soil samples.</jats:p

EXOHAB1 DEVELOPMENT: SPIN-IN/OUT FROM SPACE HABITAT TO DISASTER MANAGEMENT FACILITY

The ExoHab1 project aims at providing a bench technology for testing the technology/knowledge spin-in and spin-out for a laboratory/habitat module in extreme environment from entities that work for space and other extreme environments outside the space sector, such as disaster management. The laboratory/habitat should be set up quickly immediately after a disaster as a safe location from where to operate in autonomy from, for example, contaminated area. The technologies applied in ExoHab1 aim to increase laboratory/habitat autonomy in terms of resources, communication, and safety. Water, energy, and communications are the main areas of focus from the technological side, while research on human factors design is also applied for the safety performance and comfort of the user. The habitat system is supposed to be as regenerative as possible to achieve maximum autonomy and also support the best interaction with the user. This technology will refer to the improvement of the ISS's space habitat system. Not only the technology will be tested and transferred from and to space, but also the knowledge and the research done in the areas of human factors, ergonomics, design, psychology, architecture testing, as well as cultural application. In particular, the first step of the Exohab1 project is presented here, achieved with the testing of a mission simulation performed with the ExoLab module - appositely developed as a first functional mock-up - and the ExoHab habitat module, which has already been operational since 2009 at ESA ESTEC (European Space Research and Technology Centre in the Netherlands). This paper also presents the first results of the possibility for design development developed at Politecnico di Milano. The goal of this phase is to get multidisciplinary experts from the engineering, scientific and artistic fields involved in the development, testing, finalization, and optimization of the habitat (minimum space, time, and costs). In the next step, the operational habitat will be used to test procedures and technologies for living and working in extreme environments. The Exohab1 project targets the capability to address large organizations, such as aid agencies that need to work in disaster environments, and is intended to be applied for testing technology spin-in and new know-how in the space sector

Properties of Subsurface Soil Cores from Four Geologic Provinces Surrounding Mars Desert Research Station, Utah: Characterizing Analog Martian Soil in a Human Exploration Scenario

The DOMEX program is a NASA-MMAMA funded project featuring simulations of human crews on Mars focused on science activities that involve collecting samples from the subsurface using both manual and robotic equipment methods and analyzing them in the field and post mission. A crew simulating a human mission to Mars performed activities focused on subsurface science for 2 weeks in November 2009 at Mars Desert Research Station near Hanksville, Utah --an important chemical and morphological Mars analog site. Activities performed included 1) survey of the area to identify geologic provinces, 2) obtaining soil and rock samples from each province and characterizing their mineralogy, chemistry, and biology; 3) site selection and reconnaissance for a future drilling mission; 4) deployment and testing of Mars Underground Mole, a percussive robotic soil sampling device; and 5) recording and analyzing how crew time was used to accomplish these tasks. This paper summarizes results from analysis of soil core

PCR-based analysis of microbial communities during the EuroGeoMars campaign at Mars Desert Research Station, Utah

The search for evidence of past or present life on Mars will require the detection of markers that indicate the presence of life. Because deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is found in all known living organisms, it is considered to be a ‘biosignature' of life. The main function of DNA is the long-term storage of genetic information, which is passed on from generation to generation as hereditary material. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a revolutionary technique which allows a single fragment or a small number of fragments of a DNA molecule to be amplified millions of times, making it possible to detect minimal traces of DNA. The compactness of the contemporary PCR instruments makes routine sample analysis possible with a minimum amount of laboratory space. Furthermore the technique is effective, robust and straightforward. Our goal was to establish a routine for the detection of DNA from micro-organisms using the PCR technique during the EuroGeoMars simulation campaign. This took place at the Mars Society's Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah in February 2009 (organized with the support of the International Lunar Exploration Working Group (ILEWG), NASA Ames and the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC)). During the MDRS simulation, we showed that it is possible to establish a minimal molecular biology lab in the habitat for the immediate on-site analysis of samples by PCR after sample collection. Soil and water samples were taken at different locations and soil depths. The sample analysis was started immediately after the crew returned to the habitat laboratory. DNA was isolated from micro-organisms and used as a template for PCR analysis of the highly conserved ribosomal DNA to identify representatives of the different groups of micro-organisms (bacteria, archaea and eukarya). The PCR products were visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis and documented by transillumination and digital imaging. The microbial diversity in the collected samples was analysed with respect to sampling depth and the presence or absence of vegetation. For the first time, we have demonstrated that it is possible to perform direct on-site DNA analysis by PCR at MDRS, a simulated planetary habitat in an extreme environment that serves as a model for preparation and optimization of techniques to be used for future Mars exploratio

Formation of PAHs and Carbonaceous Solids in Gas-Phase Condensation Experiments

Carbonaceous grains represent a major component of cosmic dust. In order to understand their formation pathways, they have been prepared in the laboratory by gas-phase condensation reactions such as laser pyrolysis and laser ablation. Our studies demonstrate that the temperature in the condensation zone determines the formation pathway of carbonaceous particles. At temperatures lower than 1700 K, the condensation by-products are mainly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), that are also the precursors or building blocks for the condensing soot grains. The low-temperature condensates contain PAH mixtures that are mainly composed of volatile 3-5 ring systems. At condensation temperatures higher than 3500 K, fullerene-like carbon grains and fullerene compounds are formed. Fullerene fragments or complete fullerenes equip the nucleating particles. Fullerenes can be identified as soluble components. Consequently, condensation products in cool and hot astrophysical environments such as cool and hot AGB stars or Wolf Rayet stars should be different and should have distinct spectral properties.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure