Communication Issues: Radio communication is impossible once you are just a short distance from the Hab (approx. line of site). This, in my estimation, is the single biggest issue for the MDRS, both in terms of safety and simulation. An EVA team of two can easily be 6-7 kilometers from the Hab. If a true medical emergency took place, one crewmember would need to physically return to the Hab (a process which could take up to two hours, depending on the terrain) to begin the process of acquiring medical help. Even the system of static bursts demonstrated to us by Crew 27 for use in emergencies transmits only very near the Hab. The remote radio relay needs to be fixed for the next field season.

It was also very difficult to find working earpieces, radios, and push button boxes that all work together. This consumed a lot of prep time before each EVA, as well as resulted in communication failures while on EVA. We recommend a thorough check and replacement as needed of the headsets, earpieces, and mics. For the next season.