Operational Results of the EuroMoonMars-B Analogue Campaign at the Mars Desert Research Station

Abstract

We present the summary of results of the 2013 EuroMoonMars-B analogue operations mission conducted at the Mars Desert esearch Station (MDRS). The two-week campaign involved a series of operations, human factors, and scientific exploration research towards goals of the International Lunar Exploration Working Group (ILEWG). The primary research objectives revolved around the operations to conduct field geology to identify targets of astrobiological interest, and to provide recommendations for future crewed expeditions for increasing the science return based on improved resource allocation. These activities include assessment of robotic and automation tools for assisting geologists to increase the efficiency of time spent on extra-vehicular activities (EVAs); crowd-sources mapping to identify potential target regions; and habitat-based human factors to reduce stress levels during operations. Secondary objectives towards those goals included a low-bandwidthEarth-Moon time-delayed communications experiment.