Preliminary study of the physiological demands of Mars analogue extravehicular activity
- Paper number
IAC-05-A1.P.02
- Author
Mr. Kenneth S Dyson, University of Waterloo, Canada
- Coauthor
Dr. Richard Hughson, University of Waterloo, Canada
- Year
2005
- Abstract
The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the physiological demands of simulated Mars exploration. The study took place during a geological training mission to the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah, USA. Six participants (one female) were outfitted with a CosMed portable gas exchange analyzer to determine metabolic cost during a hill run to exhaustion and during at least one extra-vehicular activity (EVA) while donning a full analogue Mars suit. The EVAs were designed to simulate geological surveying of the Martian surface. The average VO 2 peak during a hill run was 52.4 ± 0.99 ml/kg/min. The peak VO 2 reached during a given EVA was 35.87 ± 0.78 ml/kg/min. There was a correlation between aerobic fitness and distance covered during an EVA (R 2=0.34) resulting in a greater demand for oxygen in a given time period for more fit crew members (R 2 =0.86). This pilot study shows that physiological testing is possible within the framework of current Mars analogue missions, and that further study would be useful in determining both the physical fitness requirements of Marsnauts as well as life support decisions for mission planners. It is hoped that a full scale study of this type will be included in the Mars Society of Canada’s Expedition Three to be held on Devon Island in the summer of 2006.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-A1.P.02.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.