Four months on a mock Mars

Alan Boyle — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 02:41:33 GMT

I meant to include some links to other resources on the Mars Society simulation and Mars logistics, to wit:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3077687/
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/Life_Mars/default.asp

Four months on a mock Mars

Chris Eldridge, Harrisburg PA — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 02:56:55 GMT

If you think about it, all space stations, federation starships, Martian outposts, and navy ships rely on shared “communal” living arrangements, which (if not done correctly) can and WILL result in conflicts between participants. No matter how good the overriding goals of the mission are, there’s no substitute for making the layout of such habitat modules work for the people involved.

Personal space may be very limited, but even here improvements are possible to help people cope. Just look at how elaborate, high tech, and comfortable first-class seating is becoming on the airlines. It’s amazing! Much like on a luxury yacht, the less space you give people, the more you have to “customize” it. On a yacht, everything is extremely high quality and built-in to perfectly fit the ship’s hull. Despite their compact size, they stand in sharp comparison to the ungainly look of a regular home’s boxy appearance. I don’t know of anyone that would refuse a stay aboard a yacht and yet it really is a very efficient and functional layout. Ever see how decked out an enclosed, king-size bunk bed can be?

It may sound funny, too, but “calm mind” Buddhist meditations, which allow people to actually flourish even aboard the most PACKED and noisy city bus, should be mandatory training as well!

Four months on a mock Mars

Ted Fields — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 13:24:57 GMT

Will they be mounting a mission to Lake Pahoe anytime soon?

Four months on a mock Mars

MW — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 15:27:34 GMT

A non vapor permeable, foam inflatable structure, possibly underground could make for a comfortable Mars living environment. Self curing foam might be more easily transported to Mars than other construction materials. As a nuclear submarine is configured for months of occupation in a sealed, surrounded by high pressure water environment, a Mars habitat could be the same except surrounded by a low pressure gas environment. The place to test all these technologies is the moon. We should build a permanent moon base before we head to Mars with people.

Four months on a mock Mars

Alan Boyle — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 16:05:51 GMT

If you're not a "Monty Python" fan, you may have missed that reference to Lake Pahoe... Here's a transcript of the bizarre "Expedition to Lake Pahoe" sketch:

http://www.ibras.dk/montypython/episode32.htm#7

Four months on a mock Mars

Brad Harris — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 19:51:55 GMT

A simulated habitat by the Russians a few years ago also had some uncomfortable moments. A female who had to contend with sexually aggressive cohabitants and a problem arose between two of the males that resulted in serious violence and forced researchers to remove the knives from the kitchen.
Maybe watching Battle Star Galactica or Alian reruns to pass the time during these experiments isn't such a good idea in cramped quarters.

Four months on a mock Mars

Wade Whitlock. Aberdeen, MD — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 20:23:31 GMT

If you need a model for space flight, the nuclear submarine is it. Tight, if not claustrophobic, habitat and a near total lack of personal, private space (your bunk is it). Just lacks micro or zero-G.

Perforations have a similar effect. If you can't correct it very quickly, you die. See the Kursk!

Very careful selection of people and good food do it for the subs. At least space travel in the solar neighborhood can include communication. Beyond the immediate neighborhood you might get history traded. Definitely need people with itchy feet, horizon fever and a lack of attachments!

Four months on a mock Mars

Chris Richmond, VA — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 22:57:01 GMT

Can I participate in this experiment? I needa vacation!

Four months on a mock Mars

Larry Hughes — Sat, 05 Aug 2006 06:41:28 GMT

I do not think the arctic simulations will address all the issues faced on a trip to Mars but is a step in the right direction to learn of possible issues that may arise such as the case of the 1999 experiment of a fight that broke out with a mixed sex crew and the female filed sexual harrasment claims.

You put men and women in a confined capsule for an extreme time, you are going to have sparks flying whether consensual or not. Although we are considered quite advanced in our social make up over our prehistoric ancestors, the primordial urge is inbred into our make up from many millennia ago.This is an issue that will have to be addressed either through preventative medications ( potassium nitrate?) or another form of therapy to reduce this possible behavior.This area I feel that the female species may well be superior at adapting and controling this form of behavior.The men may not be as adaptable I am afraid. Sexes in space is a vital issue that has to be researched not swept under the rug.

Biological issues may well arise that will have to be researched through these mock simulations as the mental and physical situations will certainly play a critical role staying in such a cramped environment for extended stays.I would imagine we will not be able to afford the luxury of pent house accommodations while on Mars or the trip to Mars. It may well be that behavioral issues will destroy the mission due to living in such close proximity for prolonged periods rather than unknown dangers we may face in space.

I would think that Wade Whitlock had a good point suggesting submarines but I would like to carry it further and suggest submarine crews as the likely candidates for the Mars voyage simulations due to their current adaptation to long stays in cramped quarters as well as prolonged voyages with out contact to the outside world save short radio transmissions.

All in all, This will be a monumental task of issues that will definitely have to be researched before we can ever venture into prolonged space travel.I would like to see prolonged space travel in my life time but reality wise, I would think we are still many decades away if not centuries considering our current technology and hurdles we are faced with at the present time.

Research on faster more efficient propulsion systems to cut the time in space travel will have to be developed rather than be canceled due to budget cuts is a big draw back and would cure many issues related to long voyages.

I will probably get blasted again for this suggestion but I feel that Artificial Intelligence research and micro robots is the quickest and most cost efficient method for now to get us to Mars to see what we will be faced with in space travel.

Four months on a mock Mars

Dan Hanser — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 01:15:52 GMT

Have to chuckle when I think of the HUGE cost of such a venture....(with money taken out of my paycheck)....To prove what?
That there are rocks and Ice crystals and microbial life??? Don't we have robots doing that now?!
Exactly what is it that a Human will do, on that rusty old rock, that is worth the extraordinary cost and risk of lives...Whack a golf ball???
I suggest we colonize the Moon...Mine Helium-3...(and Dump our Nuclear Waste on it)... and prove we can live in a space colony close enough to home that we will have a small chance of helping in an emergency.