Development of Procedures for a Regolith Experiment with Human-Robot Interaction at the Lunar South Pole for the LUNA Analog Facility

Kurzfassung

This paper addresses the preparation for future lunar missions by systematically analyzing potential off nominal risks astronauts may face during extravehicular activities (EVAs) and developing corresponding malfunction procedures to enhance crew safety and mission success. The research encompasses a fundamental risk assessment of a defined lunar mission sce- nario, identification and prioritization of critical risks, and the subsequent development of operational procedures to mitigate selected high-priority risks. Furthermore, the study evaluates the requirements for realistic simulation of these scenarios within the LUNA analog facility, aimed at training astronauts to respond effectively to off nominal events. The risk assessment method- ology involved comprehensive identification of off-nominal situ- ations through scenario analysis and brainstorming techniques, resulting in a structured flow chart representation of potential anomalies and their consequences. A comparative evaluation method was applied to estimate the likelihood and severity of consequences, enabling the classification of risks within a risk matrix framework. Seven off-nominal scenarios were selected based on combined risk levels and mission relevance, covering a spectrum of challenges from lunar environmental hazards to technological and human-robot interaction issues. Contrary to initial expectations, only one scenario was rated as high risk due to the comparative nature of the evaluation method. Nonetheless, this relative risk assessment provided a useful prioritization tool for procedural development. Following this, two malfunction procedures addressing “Cryobox temperature out of limit” and “Unplanned rover movement during EVA” were developed, incorporating all necessary operational steps. The iterative nature of procedure development is emphasized, with future revisions anticipated following validation phases. Simulation fidelity and validity within the LUNA analog facility were critically assessed to define the equipment and functional requirements for training effectiveness. Findings indicate that while certain advanced features, such as gravity off-loading and sophisticated sun simulators, could enhance fidelity, they are not essential for the validity of training simulations. Additionally, a stationary rover mock-up is necessary for scenarios involving unplanned rover movements and situational awareness training. Limitations include the binary evaluation of component impact without a gradation scale, highlighting an area for future im- provement. On top, future work includes the practical execution of training simulations incorporating the developed procedures, with campaign plans updated to include intentional failures. Comparative studies on simulation fidelity levels could elucidate the relationship between training realism and effectiveness. Nomi- nal procedures should be enhanced to incorporate comprehensive scientific tool usage and detailed sample inspection protocols, including temperature measurement and documentation using digital tools. In conclusion, this paper contributes to the body of knowledge on managing off-nominal risks in lunar EVAs and the development of astronaut training protocols using analog facilities. These insights support ongoing efforts in mission prepa- ration, ultimately advancing human exploration and utilization of the Moon.