Storm Forecasting for Tomorrow: Weather Launch EVA in Martian Habitat Analog Buckner, D. K. ([email protected]) and de Leon, P. University of North Dakota Department of Space Studies; NASA EPSCoR

ABSTRACT TOOLS AND HUMAN – HARDWARE INTERFACE Human habitation of Mars is an important step in future • Tool belt: necessary for EVA success space exploration. For a Martian settlement to sustain long • Tools strapped to belt with elastic duration crew operations, capabilities • Anchored at neck, midsection, knee are vital, as the environment is volatile and dust storms • Easy access by either crew member threaten communications and Extravehicular Activities • Tool – glove interface (Figure 9) (EVAs). This poster discusses a study conducted during a • Oversized tools mission (IV) in the Lunar Martian Analog Habitat • Better grip than with bare hands (ILMAH) to test the viability of a closed system, human • Poor grip on tank regulator Figure 9: crew; tools operated, balloon- based weather forecasting system. • Ground station (Figure 1) A and wireless communication system was • Radio settings hit during launch, communication lost Exit to rover constructed, a payload package was fabricated Manned rover Exercise module (Summer ‘18) in the ILMAH, a balloon was filled and launched by suited Geology lab module (Summer ‘18) RESULTS, CONCLUSION, FUTURE RESEARCH crewmembers during EVA, and the balloon’s flight was The results of this EVA support development of localized balloon tracked. (Figure 2, Figure 3) The successful completion of forecasting for extraterrestrial habitats. Although radio contact this mission suggests that can feasibly provide an was lost, instrument fabrication, EVA procedures, wireless efficient, sustainable, and user- friendly platform for crews communication, and tracking were successful. (Figure 10) Ability to autonomously forecast local weather in the Martian to conduct autonomous weather monitoring is essential for life environment. support, and the effectiveness of balloon platforms in habitat analog and suited EVA environments compels further research. Greenhouse module The Spring 2018 ILMAH V mission will support another EVA with continued focus on human factors, systems engineering, and EVA module with crew – extreme environment interaction. (Figure 11) Expanded interior suitport (see payload will include dust, volatile, methane, and UV sensors. Figure 4) Core module Figure 3: ILMAH Figure 4: suitport in EVA module Development of a sustainable forecasting system tailored to the GROUND STATION PAYLOAD INSTRUMENTS Martian environment will follow. Creation of a unique weather • Communications center for real time data • Primary weather sensor payload sensor array is vital. Extraction and electrolysis of subsurface downlink (Figure 5) • Radiosonde: temperature, , water ice can provide hydrogen to lift Martian balloons. • HAM radio: pressure sensors (Figure 6, Figure 7) Materials analysis will inform hardware design, and study of • Atmospheric data from radiosonde • Real- time data transmission to ground human – machine interaction will streamline the system. • Yagi antenna outside ILMAH station • Yaesu FT-847 radio receiver • Soldered and programmed in EVA • PC with decoding software module of ILMAH • Satellite and wireless communications: • Interchangeable components and • Iridium GPS unit configuration for versatility (Figure 7) Figure 1: balloon fill during EVA Figure 2: EVA launch • PC access to online Iridium satellite • Disposable; reduces workload and crew MISSION GOALS database energy expenditure • Design an autonomous, human- operated weather • Secondary tracking and camera payload monitoring system for extraterrestrial crews • Iridium GPS: real time flight data; • Simulate weather forecasting during EVA in a Martian lat/long, altitude, speed (Figure 8) • Go Pro camera environment analog: Figure 10: Iridium flight path Figure 11: sensor assembly • Build ground- payload communication system • Fabricate instruments in confined living quarters THANKS • Launch a weather balloon (Figure 2) • Track payload Many thanks to Dr. Pablo de Leon for creating the ILMAH and • Analyze atmospheric and flight data supporting student research, Dr. James Casler for advising • Study human factors, procedural strategies, and system mission design, NASA EPSCoR for project funding, the University constraints of North Dakota (UND) Space Studies department, and the UND Intercollegiate Academics Funding for funding this presentation. • Assess viability for future system development Figure 5: communications system Figure 6: radiosonde Figure 7: sensor array