Group Dynamics:

The main research topic of this proposal is to assess group dynamics in an international all-female / all-male crew in a Mars simulation.

This research will follow on from the work done during several MDRS seasons by Dr. Sheryl Bishop (MDRS 6; Expedition One/MDRS 14; MDRS 26), Dr. Steve Dawson, Dr. Kate Reynolds, Dr. Rachael Eggins (Expedition One/MDRS 14; MDRS 26) and Dr. Paul Maruff (MDRS 26). Composition variables such as personality and leadership styles, group size, cultural and gender mixes, role and power structures are frequently cited as areas that have affected group performance and impacted group functioning in the literature, by crews themselves and the support personnel around them (Kanas, 2001).

The current proposed research is based on the notion that people act as both individuals and members of groups and that they function most cohesively and cooperatively in a group if they identify with that group. This comes from two mainstream social psychological theories, social identity theory and self categorization theories (Tajfel & Turner, 1979; Turner et al., 1987; Turner, 1991). To identify with a group means that people internalize as their own the values, norms and beliefs that define the group. The degree to which an aggregate of individuals actually functions successfully as a group is dependent on the existence of a shared group or social identity (Haslam, 2001).

The situation becomes more complex where the achievement of overall goals relies on cooperation between a number of isolated sub-groups (Haslam et al., in press; Eggins et al., 2002). Positive group outcomes depend on the alignment of sub-group goals and those of the broader mission.

Comparing Gas-Suits & Elastic Suits:

EVA (Extra Vehicular Activities) on Mars to explore different sites, collect samples is the central reason for humans to journey to the red planet. Current gas-pressurized space suits reduce astronaut effectiveness on EVA, as they are bulky and stiff when pressurised, reducing freedom of movement and making even the simplest of tasks quite tiring.

One of the crewmembers is working on a new spacesuit concept using mechanical counter pressure (MCP) with tight elastics to compress the body instead of pressurizing it with a gas. The elastics are flexible, lighweight and allow a much greater range of movement. The analogue MCP suit being tested is called ‘MarsSkin'. During the Leonardo-Mona Lisa missions the MarsSkin space suit will be compared with the analogue MDRS gas-pressurized suits in two ways:

• Performance during EVA – how much easier a range of standard EVA tasks is with the MCP suit
• Field of View studies – comparing the visibility through the MDRS gas suit helmet with the MCP helmet, and also with normal (no helmet) range of vision.

Cliff Reconnaissance Vehicle:

The Cliff Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) of the French chapter of the Mars Society will be on the Mars Analogue station for more development tests and possible improvements. It is a light prototype vehicle that carries a video camera. Its purpose is to assist geologists in their studies of the rock layers in cliffs. The proposed research is a continuation of the testing that already took place at MDRS during the 2004 field season.

Geology Field Studies:

Sedimentary studies will be carried out and may demonstrate how the soil/rock interacts with erosional agents such as wind and water. This may be of interest on Mars in terms of what effects ancient water may have had on the rocks.

Stratigraphy experiment will be performed to see how hard it is to fill in a form (writing observations and drawing the different layers) in the spacesuit.

General geology investigations will be carried out, like fossils classification.

Student Experiments:
From 52 Students from Elementary School to Adults

Experiment 1 (elementary): "Personal Weather Forecast: Feeling Good!"
How much does the body have to adapt itself to variations in temperature? What's the temperature inside the space suit, the habitat, the greenhouse and the air lock? Where do crew members feel most comfortable and how do they feel in each location? How much variation is there between the temperatures in each location? Data collection will include blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature, as well as ambient temperature and humidity in each location. Does isolation have an impact on the body readings (e.g. stress levels, depression)?

Experiment 2 (high school): "Compare Solar Energy and Aeolian Energy"
How do an Aeolian system (wind power) and solar power system perform in the desert? Do dust and wind reduce the energy output of these two systems and by how much? We will compare the voltage output from these two systems with a voltage capture device installed on each system. Each system will be exposed to desert conditions for two days. Which one will be more efficient?

Experiment 3 (adults): "The Effects of Mars's Environment on Two Electrics Harness"
Two different electrical cable systems in the desert, will they have the same electrical resistance and therefore power loss? Which one will be more efficient? Data will be collected every day using a voltmeter. Which cable system will show better results considering the dust, the sun and the wind in the desert?

Experiment 4 (elementary): "Evacuation Operation"
In case of emergency evacuation, are the women more efficient than the men? How long does it take to evacuate and get far enough from the habitat to be safe? The men will test the evacuation procedure and record the time they take to put on the space suit, go out the airlock and follow the pre-planned route. The women will have to do exactly the same procedure and compare their data to the men's results.

Experiment 5 (elementary): "Stress and Concentration"
Does 15 days in isolation with 6 women affect their concentration? What factors affect the crew the most: tired, missing family, not going outside without the space suit, etc? How does the crew feel: frustrated, calm, aggressive, tired, sad, etc? Crew members will keep a diary, and answer a questionnaire three times during the mission. Will we pass the test?

Experiment 6 (high school): "How Humid is Mars's soil?"
Using a technical system that the students built, how much water can we find in the soil of the Utah desert? On Mars, we are going to be very interested in that type of question, so let's practice during the Mona Lisa mission…

Experiment 7 (elementary): "Proper Handling is Tricky!"
Handling a structure with space suit gloves is not easy…. Are the women better than the men at doing these kinds of activities? After practicing, do we get significantly better result? Are certain members of the Mona Lisa team better than others at these tasks?

Experiment 8 (elementary): "All the Pressure on Sprouts"
Which place is better for potatoes conservation? Where should we preserve food on Mars? For this experiment, we are going to examine the growth of sprouts on the potatoes after 15 days in different environments; airlock, habitat, outside, in the GreenHab.