MDRS Crew 65
TEAM (Terrain Estimation Assessment Mission) Mars
January 20, 2008 - February 2, 2008
Daily Crew Reports

TEAM Mars (Terrain Estimation Assessment Mission) primary goal is to learn how astronauts estimate terrain slopes. Terrain estimation includes judging slopes, distance to objects and their size which are critical component to estimate how long it takes to hike to distant objects. This is a serious concern to astronaut safety and ones mobility in a rugged setting. Even on Earth changing locations vastly alters a person's ability to accurately do this. Factors such as atmospheric clarity, changes in sun light ( including sun angle), lack of familiar features, and unfamiliar colorings of different locations on Earth have a proven to have a significant impact. Adding to this the different curvature of other planets affecting distance to horizon. Different atmospheres or lack of effecting sunlight, scattered light and shadow intensity. These differing planetary topography plays havoc with sensory integration to provide accurate estimates.

The primary science objective of TEAM Mars is to evaluate the errors associated with human judgment of sloped terrain in a desolate Martian environment. The experiments on this MDRS mission will have each crew member estimate the slope of various hills at several distances and under different lighting conditions. A number of observations will also be taken with reference objects near the hills and the effect the spacesuit has on slope perceptions will also be investigated. The results will be later used as comparison for the results of a virtual reality study of the same hills and conclusions will later be drawn for the National Space Biomedical Research Institute. This will be achieved by 5 to 8 days of EVA where the participants will be asked to judge the same area at 3 times during the day. These objectives will be led by Chris Oravetz.

The Mars Analog environment will also be exploited for the "Surface Extra-Vehicular Activity Emergency Scenarios Management: Astronaut's Procedures" research project led by Luis Zea. In this investigation, most emergency situations will be recreated from Life Support Systems failure to Suit Damage. Real Terrain information will be acquired from stereoscopic cameras and laser range finder from the MIT research. A procedure matrix will be developed based on the observations acquired during 2 to 3 days of EVAs.

Mike Smithwick and Debi-Lee Wilkinson will be setting up the telescope for some automated searches for Mars-crossing objects. We seek to gain two series of images along the ecliptic a week apart.

Graham Lau's objectives for our team are exploratory in nature. We will do some basic geology research studying local features, looking for evaporatic minerals, inspecting desert varnish, and ascertaining what further knowledge even the non-geologist should attain to understand future manned geology research on Mars. If possible, Graham will also attempt to continue the halophile research previously conducted at the Hab. One final objective for the science part of our mission is to clean and organize the science lab for future use.

We will maintain greenhab and basic engineering function within sim by solving major issues before entering sim.

Morgan Schwartz will be documenting these and other crew activities for the edification of future generations. His current work explores Utopian and speculative cultural practices [http://walden5.com] and he will be producing a short documentary about the visionary aspects of the MDRS project.

Name	Speciality
Debi-Lee Wilkinson	Commander
Mike Smithwick	Crew Astronomer
Graham Lau	Crew Biologist
Christopher Oravetz	Crew Engineer/Health & Safety Officer
Morgan Schwartz	Crew Journalist
Luis Zea	Crew Engineer

Debi-Lee Wilkinson	Debi-Lee Wilkinson has been a member of the Mars Society since 2002 when she attended the 5th annual conference. Over Christmas 2002 and New Years 2003 she was crewmember for MDRS Crew 10 when the observatory and telescope were first installed. Summer and Fall 2006 she made two non-mission trips to MDRS for engineering support on the Telescope which clinched her roll as second in line on the MDRS Astronomy Team. One cold starry night years ago outside with her telescope she decided that she would get as far out into space as she could during her life. Near the end of high school she began designing a martian colony in her spare time. This set her on a path to study physics at the University of Alaska Fairbanks completing a BS degree in 1984. Later she studied her second passion, High Energy Particle Physics at Florida State University completing a Masters Degree in 1991. She returned to Fairbanks to work at the Geophysical Institute Space Physics Department to study the Aurora Borealis. This last fall she spent 3 months working with the 4Frontiers Corporation to assist them in starting research projects. Returning to MDRS as commander of a mission is an exciting way to wrap up a rewarding experience with 4Frontiers. She is on her way back to Fairbanks for the rest of the winter.
Mike Smithwick	Mike Smithwick is a native Californian, and Silicon Valley engineer with a BS in Astrophysics and Art minor. Mike is the author of one of the longest lived computer software programs on the market, Distant Suns. This was the first commercial desktop planetarium software for Windows, and marks its 20th anniversary this year. In its heyday, Distant Suns garnered several awards, and even warranted a fan letter from Sir Arthur C. Clarke. He is also author of the popular Grand Tour 3D screensaver. He is currently Senior Engineer at Live365, an online music streaming company and specializes in mobile phone streaming applications. Mike is slated to be the crew astronomer, and hopes to be able to set up the telescope to do automated searches for Earth crossing asteroids. He also volunteer teaches a 5th grade astronomy class in San Jose, California and plans on sending them daily dispatches and photos while performing experiments the students suggest. He has always been a confirmed space nerd, having been an eyewitness to several Apollo launches and the first Space Shuttle landing. He freely admits to having his own Hollywood Space Shuttle EVA spacesuit, but it was just too darned big to schlep onboard the airplane. In his free time he enjoys Celtic music, vintage ballroom dancing in 19th century attire, volunteering for Big Brothers, playing with his TiVo, and howling at the moon.
Luis P. Zea	Luis P. Zea was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala in 1981. He grew up in a family that encouraged education and hard work, characteristics given to him with his parent's and sibling's examples. He earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and continued his studies at the University of Central Florida with a Masters in Aerospace Engineering, Thermofluid Aerodynamic Systems Design and Engineering Track. He conducts scientific research at the Florida Space Institute in Cape Canaveral, Florida on Multi-Phase Flow. Science fiction had a great influence on Luis, especially Jules Verne and George Lucas. Luis is also keenly interested in underwater exploration, the search for exoplanets, astrobiology, history, and economics. He has a passion for languages, as he is fluent in German, Spanish, English and Portuguese and speaks basic French. He was part of the Satellite Design Team that won the 2007 Florida University Satellite Competition, where he worked on the structure designs as well as helped with the Microwave Electro-Thermal Thruster, a plasma engine to be used in Earth's orbit. As Crew 65's Engineer, Luis is in charge of assuring the efficient performance of the Habitat's multiple mechanical and electrical systems. He will also be conducting research on Surface Extra-Vehicular Activity Emergency Scenarios Management which can lead into further studies for NASA's planned manned return to the Moon and one day, for Mars.
Graham E. Lau	Graham E. Lau is an astrobiologist and recent graduate of York College of Pennsylvania. During his undergraduate years, Graham was the President of the YCP Biology Club, the Vice-President of the Theta Epsilon chapter of TriBeta, and a member of the Alpha Chi and YCP Senior honors societies. With an Associate's Degree in Chemistry and a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Graham is about to take the next step in his career. Graham's current plans include working in research science and eventually attending graduate school. Graham grew up in York County in south-central Pennsylvania. He has always dreamed of space science research and exploring new worlds. Graham is very active outdoors; enjoying sports such as snowboarding, hiking and camping, SCUBA diving, climbing, mountain biking, surfing, skydiving, and bungee jumping. Graham considers himself to be a major Star Trek fan and loves spending time playing his guitar. Graham has been a Research Fellow with the SURFO program at the Graduate School of Oceanography in Rhode Island, where his research involved the molecular ecology of diatoms. He also was a Research Associate with the NASA Ames Academy for Space Exploration. With the NASA Academy, Graham worked on a project involving microorganisms which thrive in crusts of the mineral gypsum and also worked with his fellow research associates on a project involving the collection of biota from the middle atmosphere. Stepping foot on the moon and Mars has been a driving vision in Graham's life. Graham is hopeful to be more involved with the Mars Society and the MDRS and hopes to possibly serve on an FMARS mission in the future.
Morgan Schwartz	Morgan Schwartz is an artist and educator who creates video installations, single-channel videos, urban actions and interactive media projects. He works collaboratively on projects in response to specific sites or cultural systems. Morgan teaches courses in new media and interactive digital media. He earned a BSE in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University in 1996 and his MFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts/Tufts University in 2002. Morgan is an Assistant Professor of Digital Media at Marymount Manhattan College. Morgan is currently working on a project about Utopian and speculative cultural practices. As part of his time on this crew rotation he plans to produce a short documentary about the visionary aspects of the MDRS project.
Christopher Oravetz	Christopher Oravetz is a native of Pittsburgh, PA and a 2003 graduate of Moon Area High School, which is just down the river from Mars Township. As a young teenager, Christopher found excitement in both model rocketry and exploring the woods behind his house, two activities that lead to his desire of space exploration. Following high school, Christopher entered the United States Air Force Academy where he spent four years developing his leadership to become commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation in May 2007. As a cadet, Christopher majored in Aeronautical Engineering and conducted wind tunnel research on the NASA CEV. He also enjoyed his time as a parachute instructor on the Wings of Blue and the president of the Catholic Cadet Choir. In September 2007, Christopher began his graduate work at MIT within the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and currently leads the Lunar Slope Estimation research within the Man Vehicle Laboratory. Following his graduation from MIT in 2009, Christopher will enter pilot training at Sheppard Air Force Base. Christopher has always been intrigued by space exploration and finds its pursuit necessary for mankind's understanding of its potential and its numerous benefits in areas, such as energy and healthcare technology. He ultimately desires to become an astronaut through the Air Force, pilot the CEV to the Moon and beyond, and to inspire younger children to pursue their dreams to the fullest. As a Crew Engineer and the Health and Safety Officer, Christopher is excited to contribute his time and effort toward achieving the mission goals of Crew 65 and adding to the experiences of his fellow crew members.

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