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EuroGeoMars Project - Final Rotation, Crew 77, Final Report
In order to assess several human and scientific aspects of future robotic and manned missions on planetary surfaces, the EuroGeoMars campaign was proposed to The Mars Society, as part of the ExoGeoLab pilot project developed at ESTEC in collaboration with European and US investigators.
Crew 77 Mission Patch
Upon acceptance, it was agreed that the EuroGeoMars campaign would last
for 5 weeks as follows:
The EuroGeoMars campaign encompasses four sets of objectives:
In order to address these objectives, we developed and used adapted tools and methods:
- a technical preparation week (24-31 Jan): instrumentation deployment and technology field demonstration;
- 1st rotation – crew 76 (1-15 Feb): further deployment and utilization;
- 2nd rotation – crew 77 (15-28 Feb): further utilization and in depth analysis.
The EuroGeoMars campaign encompasses four sets of objectives:
- Technology demonstration aspects: a set of instruments were deployed, tested, assessed, and training was provided to scientists using them in subsequent rotations
- Research aspects: a series of field science and exploration investigations were conducted in geology, geochemistry, biology, astronomy, with synergies with space missions and research from planetary surfaces and Earth extreme environments.
- Human crew related aspects, i.e. (a) evaluation of the different functions and interfaces of a planetary habitat, (b) crew time organization in this habitat, (c) evaluation of man-machine interfaces of science and technical equipment;
- Education, outreach, communications, multi-cultural & public relations aspects
In order to address these objectives, we developed and used adapted tools and methods:
- Technology field demonstration: Several science and exploration
instruments were either brought from Europe or lent by US
collaborators. Most were deployed and installed during the technical
crew week under the responsibility of commander Bernard Foing (24-31
Jan) with Carol Stoker, Jhony Zavaleta, Pascale Ehrenfreund, Philippe
Sarrazin:
- geology: drilling equipment, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Raman Spectrometer, Visible Near Infrared Spectrometer (VIS/NIR), Magnetic Susceptibility Meter (all lent by NASA-Ames), X-ray Diffractometer/X-ray Fluorescence Meter (XRD/XRF) (by inXitu Co), sampling collection and curation, scientific and HDTV cameras for field and lab studies (lent by ESTEC ExoGeoLab), installation of geochemical lab;
- biology: Adenosine Tri-Phosphate (ATP) Meter (lent by Ames), microscope (MDRS);
- engineering supporting projects: rover (lent by Carnegie Mellon Univ.), visualization tests for rover, camera system and image data for outreach.
- biology: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) lab from ESTEC ExoGeoLab project;
- engineering supporting projects: enhanced Cyborg field reporting capability, Mars navigation experiment preparation;
- astronomy: Musk observatory (MDRS)
- Scientific research: Field science experiments were started as soon
as the corresponding instruments were assembled, tested and deployed.
More than one hundred of documented samples were collected by the crew
77 for geology (50), astrobiology (11 + 5 samples divided to 8
investigators groups) and biology (30 samples divides to 4
collaborating groups), and were screened/analysed in the lab at the
Hab. Data were sent to remote science support teams in Europe and the
USA for further evaluation and detailed analysis. These data are
complementing the interpretation of missions such as Mars-Express,
SMART-1, Chandrayan-1, Mars Exploration Rovers, MRO and prepare for
future lunar and planetary lander missions.
The geoscience investigations concerned mostly geological context survey and geochemical analyses of returned samples from the surrounding rock formations. For this, several advanced and miniaturized instruments specially developed for future space missions were used, including an integrated X-Ray Diffractometer/X-Ray Fluorescence Meter (Terra 158), a Raman Spectrometer (InPhotonics) and a VIS/NIR Spectrometer (OceanOptics). Approximately 40 samples have been analysed for chemical composition (XRF) and mineralogy content (XRD, Raman, VIS/NIR), varying from clays, sandstones and volcanic ash layers of the Jurassic Morrison formation, pure crystals such as gypsum and calcite, petrified wood, desert varnish, endoliths and salt efflorescence. The sampling and analyses involved the set-up and maintenance of a detailed sample database with description of sample, context geology and test results. In situ measurements were also taken with a handheld magnetic susceptibility meter. Subsurface characterisation has been carried out with a miniaturized Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), to study the top of Dakota layer.
For astrobiology, soil oxidation sensors (preparatory to ExoMars Mars Oxidation Instrument) containing thin films of amino-acids and metals have been incubated with specific soil samples collected (rich in carbonates, gypsum and nitrates). Salt concentrations were estimated by obtaining soil conductivity. The pH, nitrogen-, potassium-, phosphorous-, magnesium-, calcium- and water content were determined.
The primary goal of the biology investigations was the analysis of microbial communities living in the soil in interesting areas the MDRS area. This investigation had a field aspect and a laboratory aspect: soil sampling was done in the field at depths of 10cm, 30cm and 60cm, in and out of EVA working conditions. DNA extraction and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis were then done in the laboratory. Extracted DNA from 9 soil and water samples of 5 different sampling sites (Gully-Cora`s Edge, green thing / petrified wood; green tree, Lago Minore, frozen pond-Lith Canyon) were analyzed in a first Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) run (Primus25 advanced; PeqLab) to detect bacterial DNA. Microscopy was used to investigate water samples for micro-organisms as well as floating particles concentrated by centrifugation. - Human and crew aspects: The commander summarised daily the matrix
of overall timeline of activities for each crew, complemented by
individual questionnaires and daily location and time sheets. We
contributed to a food study investigation, and performed our own study
with multiple tools and methods (pictures, spectra, jokes). Further
human and crew aspect analysis will include synthesis of inputs from
the EuroGeoMars three crew rotations (Technical, rotation 1 and 2).
Results of these investigations could then be used as inputs for future
studies on a next generation of planetary habitats and test-benches. To
implement the human crew related experiments, several forms and
questionnaires were filled in by all crew members: time and location
evaluation sheets (daily) and two series of questionnaires (crew
interfaces and crew impression questionnaires, once per rotation). In
addition, the crew participated in another on-going food study where
the type of food was imposed and crew impressions were collected via
questionnaires. Habitat and operational maintenance took some
engineering time. Fortunately the Wendy generator worked nominally
during our rotation (thanks DG Lusko). The grey water processing system
was not working. The two ATVs worked nominally and we took care of
their motors and tires diligently. The six EVA suits were inspected:
two of them were refurbished operational, one is suffering some
intermittent ventilation or insufficient recharging.
In addition to keeping the Hab in power, water and sanitation, engineering investigations were conducted while at the MDRS, including the Navigation Experiment using balloons, was conducted in coordination with remote support, also a reconnaissance video-cam was balloon lifted using a grasp of He balloons.
From a field operational point of view, some 40 EVAs were conducted for geology, biology, technology, reconnaissance, and outreach purposes. We limited the duration of the EVAs due to the poor state of the EVA suits and backpacks ventilation system. The two weeks spent in the Hab in semi-confinement and semi-isolation were positive in developing bonds between crew members. We had from the start a mutual support and helping and team spirit.
From a reporting and communication standpoint, the following reports were sent to Mission Support: 13 Commander’s reports ( and 6 during the Technical week), 13 Commander’s Check-in reports, 13 Engineering reports, internal Science reports and EVA reports, outreach reports. We had number of communications with remote support groups. The proportion of outside emails ranged from work 40-80 % MDRS related , other work related 30-60%, 10-20 % private. Computing support took time, with the majority on internet issues relating to intermittent connection and poor upload bandwidth. For internal exchange of data we could somehow limit consumption of internet using memory sticks. A reliable internal network could be useful for that.
Social activities were conducted as a group. All meals were prepared by one person in turn, this person being in charge for the entire day of all kitchen chores. All meals were taken together and were the occasion for planning, briefing and debriefing research, outings and crew activities. We had no time for watching movies, but we filmed ourselves many videos clips and took pictures in all styles. The humour and jokes shared between the crew were worth the best comedies. - Outreach, education and inspiration: We produced written, pictures,
and video materials that can be used for education, outreach and public
relations. Two film crew visitors stayed also in the Hab: Jeanette
Groenendaal and Zoot Derks (The Netherlands) on 22-24 Feb to film our
activities documenting the operational, research, human, simulation,
imaginative and fantasy aspects of Moon-Mars-extreme Earth exploration.
They contributed a journalist report. We had earlier during the Tech
crew, the visit of film producer Mark Arabella and film crew for a Moon
related National Geographics documentary. Specific crew reports were
also prepared for some national and international communication
channels, including Planete Mars, ILEWG, COSPAR, IAF, IAA.
EuroGeoMars campaign results and future prospects From a human point of view, Crew 77 had a stable core of six crew members, namely Bernard Foing (Commander / Instrumentation / Researcher, Mars-Moon-Earth science and exploration), Pascale Ehrenfreund (Executive Officer / Crew Scientist / Researcher/ Health Safety Officer, astrobiology, planetary) , Ludivine Boche-Sauvan (Crew Chief Engineer / Logistics Coordinator/ Database manager / Researcher, human base aspects/ Food study contact), Cora Thiel (Crew Scientist / Researcher, biologist), Christoph Gross (Crew Scientist / Researcher for geochemistry, XRD, Cyborg), Lorenz Wendt Crew Scientist / Researcher (geophysics, Raman). We had also the return visit of Tech crew member Jhony Zavaleta and three colleagues from Ames on 26 Feb for EVA and experiments before the return of equipment to Ames on 27 Feb. The core crew included three nationalities, from France, Germany, Austria. Outreach guest crew members came from US, the Netherlands, Chile and Peru.
In conclusion, the whole of Crew 77 has obtained and documented an impressive set of results relevant to demonstrate in the field the technology of instruments, perform research in geosciences and biology in the diverse and exciting geology sites surrounding DRS, in support of current space missions, and to prepare future planetary robotic and human missions and inspire the next generation. Sample analysis will be conducted in some 15 collaborating institutes. Further in-depth analysis of data will be pursued by Crew 77 and a large range of collaborators. We plan to organise a dedicated ESTEC ExoGeoLab workshop discussing the EuroGeoMars results at ESTEC on 2-3 April, and present results at various conferences and journals. Results will also contribute to ongoing studies on Robotic and Human Moon-Mars Exploration by space agencies, ILEWG, IMEWG, IAF, COSPAR, IAA, etc…. We thank the MDRS mission support and remote collaborators groups, and sponsors for this campaign.
