Human Performance Data in a High Workload Environment during the Simulated Mars Expedition "AustroMars"

Paper number

IAC-08.A1.1.1

Author

Mr. Gernot Groemer, Austrian Space Forum, Austria

Coauthor

Dr. Sheryl Bishop, The University of Texas Medical Branch, United States

Coauthor

Dr. Doris Peham, University of Innsbruck, Austria

Coauthor

Mr. Luzian Wolf, Object Tracker, Austria

Coauthor

Mrs. Verena Gruber, Austrian Space Forum, Austria

Coauthor

Prof. Birgit Hoegl, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria

Year

2008

Abstract

AustroMars was the simulation of a crewed expedition on the surface of planet Mars, taking place in April 2006 at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah. Six carefully selected individuals performed 20 experiments in the fields of robotics, analogue planetary and life sciences as well as human exploration. The Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), located in the Moab desert in Utah is one of the first attempts of a comprehensive integration of planetary field sciences and research schemes, advertising human space exploration beyond Earth's orbit. AustroMars was an interdisciplinary project containing experiments from the area of fundamental research and applied sciences. 

During this mission, the MDRS served a total of six carefully selected and trained “analogue astronauts” as base for their research activities and exploratory excursions. Modeled after selection and training principles of astronauts and pilots, yet in a nutshell, the crew underwent a detailed training including education in science and engineering skills as well as physical and mental training. This included various topics ranging from emergency medicine, selected topics in physics, molecular biology, astronomy, spaceflight history and international relations, media training, engineering education, operations procedures, high altitude training, acrobatic flight training, rough terrain ATV-driving training and others.

A dense flight plan, physically challenging experiments (including extravehicular activities) and a complimentary set of human factors research experiments offered a unique opportunity to study the impact of a high workload on crew vigilance. These measurements included eeg-calibrated pupillomyography measurements, salivary assay data (such as DHEA, Cortisol, P17-OH, Fastening Insulin and MB2S), a complimentary set of reaction and cognitive function tests as well as a novel technique using eye movements as indicator for vigilance. 
The data of the 6-person simulated flight crew were complemented by pre/post-flight measurements as well as by 3 test subjects (back-up crew) with a similar psychological and physiological profile who underwent the same training as the primary crew, but stayed out-of-simulation during the isolation experiment for comparison.

Abstract document

IAC-08.A1.1.1.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.A1.1.1.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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