Crew 16's use of MDRS is quite different from everything that has come before. A year ago we conducted a closed simulation during Crew 5, with no visitors, so we could properly study use of space, scheduling, productivity, and collaboration (see report at http://bill.clancey.name). Crew 16 shows another way of using MDRS-as a research station-a protected workplace for scientists and engineers to configure, deploy, and test sophisticated technologies and protocols in an extreme environment.

Analog environments, such as deserts and volcanic areas, have historically been used for planetary studies and astronaut training. Using FMARS and MDRS the Mars Society has shown how human exploration studies can also be conducted in analog environments, including technology prototyping. (Pascal Lee pioneered this approach in the Haughton-Mars Project at Devon Island in multidisciplinary expeditions starting in 1998.)

Unlike most MDRS rotations only the EVAs in the 16th rotation are conducted in simulation mode. During the rest of the time, the expedition uses MDRS as a place to set up and test their equipment. Our project is called Mobile Agents, referring to software running on moving computers; over 20 researchers are collaborating from three NASA centers and two universities. Last September, we conducted our first field trials in Arizona near Meteor Crater. However, we found that tarps were soon blown away in dust storms, wind and rain threatened to damage computers, and extensive networks had to be painstakingly set up and packed away every day. Many days were lost chasing the storms and reestablishing network configurations.

MDRS provides the perfect laboratory for technology research. The scientists and engineers set up once, and leave their equipment in place each night. A crew of six enjoys the convenience of having eating and sleeping quarters on the upper deck, with their personal laptops always at hand for preparing project plans and reports. The remaining group retires to Hanksville for the night. Oddly, both groups feel that they have the better living arrangement: The Hanksville group doesn't mind the drive, and revels in soft beds and personal showers with flush toilets. The MDRS crew avoids the commute and is quite snug in their living room, with food, beds, clothing, and personal items ready at hand. The Hanksville group must drive to the 9am expedition briefing; the MDRS crew walks downstairs.

During daily testing, two people on the upper deck simulate the crew that is not on EVA. One crew member serves as HabCom, the point of contact with the EVA crew. (HabCom is adapted from the historical name, CapCom. However, CapCom communicated with the space CAPsule, while HabCom is the communicator in the habitat. We think our name makes more sense.) HabCom has two computers: the first runs his "personal agent," which monitors and advises about ongoing EVAs; the second provides an "agent monitor" of all agent software (on the astronauts' backpacks and ATVs, on the ERA, and on HabCom's computer.) The lower deck of MDRS has two workstation areas, one for the Exploration Robotic Assistant (ERA) team, the other for the Mars EXploration (MEX) network monitor. When all is operational, we will be running four computer networks: Direcway wireless for the MDRS crew, MEX for local routing for Mobile Agents (linking backpacks, ATVs, and Habcom), Dlink-Net for multi-kilometer computing between astronauts and MDRS during EVAs, and HabNet for high bandwidth communications with the outside world (provided by Glenn Research Center). Thanks to GRC, we also have a complete digital telephone system, including 12 extensions with voice mail. As a testimony to the state of the art, these networks are all reliably configured in a few hours, allowing us to focus on the software and computer models that will run in a distributed fashion during EVAs.

Crew 16's Commander (CDR) "check in" reports will provide brief updates on the status of system deployment and testing. Fuller reports of EVAs will appear when Mobile Agents is operational. Geologists may also comment from time to time about their observations and experiences.