Evaluation of the Effects of a Confinement Cycle on Mental
Performance during Mars Environment Simulation
Felipe E. Broering

The aim of this study is to evaluate some cognitive functions after a cycle of 2 weeks in close confinement living and working conditions, in an analog Mars Surface Exploration Habitat environment. The optimization of mental performance and minimization of faults may save lives and reduce costs of future space exploration missions. Due to the chronic exposure to a hazardous environment and total isolation, even in groups space travelers have had many difficulties in keeping up the levels of performance needed to achieve a successful mission.

With the computerized mental performance test AGARD - "The Manikin Test", this research project intends to measure the main aspects of mental performance, attention, spatial orientation and reaction time. It is hope to attain a better knowledge of how some mental activities are performed during sub acute or prolonged exposure to an isolated environment, during crew interaction and MDRS's simulation of the living conditions of a Mars HAB will certainly contribute to improved safety for future space missions.

Exploratory Human Factors Assessment for Crew Advisory Tool
Anthony Francis

As an intelligent systems researcher, I'm always interested in ways to provide intelligent machine support for human tasks. Therefore, I propose to spend some of my cycles at MDRS performing an exploratory human factors study to see if an intelligent crew assistant program could fit into the work patterns at the MDRS.

Project M.O.S.S. - Musk Observatory Supernova Survey
Hugh S. Gregory

One of the most neglected areas of the sky in as far as regularly patrolling for supernovas in other galaxies is the circumpolar region of the sky. Time on the big gun professional telescopes costs an arm and a leg and as a result the use of such telescopes for scanning distant galaxies on a regular basis to check them for new supernovas would be a tragic waste of both scarce funds and a Professional Astronomers very valuable time. I will be setting up and initializing the Musk Observatory's first long range ongoing astronomy project, a methodical and regular observing of select circumpolar sky galaxies, to detect and report out to the professional astronomical community in a timely manner, the discovery of new supernovas.

First Aid in a Spacesuit - Medical Evac Simulation
Anthony Francis & Hugh S. Gregory

What do you do if a fellow Mars-naut falls and breaks a leg or arm many kilometers from your Mars lander HABitat. This project will investigate and record events from the initial simulated call for help, through the execution of initial on location diagnosis and immobilization for transport, finally to how do we get an injuried Mars-naut out of EVA suit back in the HAB without having to cut it off him or her.