GeoLab—A habitat-based laboratory for preliminary examination of geological samples

Evans, Cynthia A.; Calaway, M. J.; Bell, M. S.; Young, K. E.

doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2011.12.008

Cited by 12 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A particular innovation to the sampling protocols that was facilitated by the resulting adoption of clipped-on bags was the ''grab sample'' (see Section 3.5.1). While the number of samples collected in this manner is small and had a negligible effect on timeline or space considerations, it remains to be seen what the scientific value of such materials is, especially when documentation and contextual information at times were sparse to nonexistent [21,22]. Nevertheless, the fact that some samples will always likely be obtained outside the established protocols (e.g.…”

Section: Storage Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Part way through both week 1 and week 2, additional sample bags had to be supplied to the crew and samples had to be offloaded from the SEV to make room for additional ones, operations that were conducted outside of the simulation. For a real mission that may operate on stricter and tighter logistical margins, this suggests that any duplication of samples may be a significant problem to manage unless the storage constraints of the spacecraft are augmented or procedures such as sample caching or in-situ ''high-grading'' [21] are implemented. In addition, using assets such as the Pressurized Excursion Module (PEM)/GeoLab [21] for in-situ analyses and/or robotic follow-up [23], ''excess'' samples that cannot be returned to Earth can still be of scientific value, particularly if sufficiently documented upon their collection, so that the resources used to obtain them did not go to waste.…”

Section: Duplication Of Effortmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Once the CFN is complete, the bagged samples are gathered into a daily collection bag, which is then weighed and stowed in a storage receptacle on the SEV aft deck [18]. These sample inventories are useful for locating samples at the end of the mission and also for locating samples for ''highgrading'' and/or in-situ analysis in the surface habitat [21]. They have also proved valuable for reconstructing the samples collected at Stations for which all other documentation was lost due to telemetry, communications, or other data transfer problems [22].…”

Section: Procedures For Sample Stowage and Eva Closeoutmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Field geologic observation and sample collection strategies for planetary surface exploration: Insights from the 2010 Desert RATS geologist crewmembers

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

a b s t r a c tObservation is the primary role of all field geologists, and geologic observations put into an evolving conceptual context will be the most important data stream that will be relayed to Earth during a planetary exploration mission. Sample collection is also an important planetary field activity, and its success is closely tied to the quality of contextual observations. To test protocols for doing effective planetary geologic fieldwork, the Desert RATS (Research and Technology Studies) project deployed two prototype rovers for two weeks of simulated exploratory traverses in the San Francisco volcanic field of northern Arizona. The authors of this paper represent the geologist crewmembers who participated in the 2010 field test. We document the procedures adopted for Desert RATS 2010 and report on our experiences regarding these protocols. Careful consideration must be made of various issues that impact the interplay between field geologic observations and sample collection, including time management; strategies related to duplication of samples and observations; logistical constraints on the volume and mass of samples and the volume/transfer of data collected; and paradigms for evaluation of mission success. We find that the 2010 field protocols brought to light important aspects of each of these issues, and we recommend best practices and modifications to training and operational protocols to address them. Underlying our recommendations is the recognition that the capacity of the crew to ''flexibly execute'' their activities is paramount. Careful design of mission parameters, especially field geologic protocols, is critical for enabling the crews to successfully meet their science objectives.& 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Abbreviations and definitions: 2/D, twice-per-day communications; CC, continuous communications; CFN, crew field note; Cuff, arm-mounted computer control for CFN system; D&C, divide-and-conquer; Desert RATS, Desert Research and Technology Studies; Drive, movement of SEV between Stations; EVA, extravehicular activities; Flexecution, flexible execution; GigaPan, robotic pan-tilt-zoom camera mount for high-resolution panoramic imaging; GIS, geographic information system; High-grading, prioritization for potential Earth-return; IVA, intravehicular activities; KML-format, Google Earth file format for GIS data; L&F, lead-and-follow; Science Backroom, subset of the Science Team that supports the crew during CC; Science Team, mission control personnel that support, guide, and direct the science operations done by the crew; SEV, space exploration vehicle; Station, location where SEV has stopped for science or operational work (with or without an EVA); Suitport, rear hatches on the SEV that allow quick egress/ingress for EVAs along with dust mitigation; Traverse, series of Stations and drives n Corresponding author. Tel.: þ1 915 747 5669; fax: þ1 915 747 5073. E-mail address: jhurtado@utep.edu (J.M. Hurtado Jr.). Acta Astronautica ] (]]]]) ]]]-]]]Please cite this article as: J.M...

show abstract

Section: Storage Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Duplication Of Effortmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Procedures For Sample Stowage and Eva Closeoutmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Field geologic observation and sample collection strategies for planetary surface exploration: Insights from the 2010 Desert RATS geologist crewmembers

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Nevertheless the basic purpose of carrying HCl to use in the field is to help identify rock type and chemistry, so some equivalent is needed here. Handheld, in-situ, analytical geochemical instruments are being developed (such as the handheld x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer discussed in Evans et al (this issue) [12]), which could take the place of acid and provide higher-resolution, real-time data about a wider range of rock types and their geochemistry in the field.…”

Section: Links Between Desert Rats and Terrestrial Field Geologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At the end of the mission, decisions were made, with guidance from the Science Backroom, to preferentially select (or discard) samples based on their individual priority and science return value (i.e. ''high-grading'' [12]). …”

Section: Aft Deck Toolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tools and technologies needed for conducting planetary field geology while on EVA: Insights from the 2010 Desert RATS geologist crewmembers

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

a b s t r a c tThe tools used by crews while on extravehicular activity during future missions to other bodies in the Solar System will be a combination of traditional geologic field tools (e.g. hammers, rakes, sample bags) and state-of-the-art technologies (e.g. high definition cameras, digital situational awareness devices, and new geologic tools). In the 2010 Desert Research and Technology Studies (RATS) field test, four crews, each consisting of an astronaut/engineer and field geologist, tested and evaluated various technologies during two weeks of simulated spacewalks in the San Francisco volcanic field, Arizona. These tools consisted of both Apollo-style field geology tools and modern technological equipment not used during the six Apollo lunar landings. The underlying exploration driver for this field test was to establish the protocols and technology needed for an eventual manned mission to an asteroid, the Moon, or Mars. The authors of this paper represent Desert RATS geologist crewmembers as well as two engineers who worked on technology development. Here we present an evaluation and assessment of these tools and technologies based on our first-hand experience of using them during the analog field test. We intend this to serve as a basis for continued development of technologies and protocols used for conducting planetary field geology as the Solar System exploration community moves forward into the next generation of planetary surface exploration.

show abstract

NASA Desert RATS 2010: Preliminary results for science operations conducted in the San Francisco Volcanic Field, Arizona

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction:There is now a strong consensus in the United States that the next step in human spaceflight is to travel beyond low-earth orbit [1]. The particular destinations, and the order in which they are explored are not as importnat as the overall goals of the human spaceflight program. The Moon and Mars have long been considered as important stepping-stones or waypoints for the expansion of human civilization beyond the Earth [2]. The Moon is the closest planetary body and possesses numerous natural resources to enable sustainable human spaceflight activities in cislunar space and at Mars, our ultimate destination in the inner Solar System.The National Aeronautics and Space Administartion (NASA) is working with international partners to develop the space architectures and mission plans necessary for human spaceflight beyond earth orbit. These mission plans include the exploration of planetary surfaces with significant gravity fields. The Apollo missions to the Moon demonstrated conclusvely that surface mobility is a key asset that improves the efficiency of human explorers on a planetary surface [3].NASA Desert RATS: NASA's Desert Research and Technology Studies (Desert RATS) is a multi-year series tests of hardware and operations carried out annually in the high desert of Arizona. Conducted since 1998, these activities are designed to exercise planetary surface hardware and operations in relatively harsh climatic conditions where long-distance, multi-day roving is achievable [4]. Desert RATS 2010 tested two crewed rover concepts, designed as first generation prototypes of small pressurized vehicles. Each rover provided the internal volume necessary for two crewmembers to live and work for periods ≥14 days, as well as allowing for extravehicular EVAs through the use of rear-mounted suit ports. The 2010 test was designed to simulate geologic science traverses over a 14-day period through a terrane of cinder cones, lava flows and underlying sedimentary units in the San Francisco Volcanic Field [5]. Desert RATS provides and operational concept to better develop the science requirements for the design of space exploration systems [6].Preliminary Results: The science operations conducted during Desert RATS 2010 consisted of four 2-person rover crews, with each crew conducting 6 days of field exploration using a pressurized rover concept vehicle. Each crew also conducted 1 day of laboratory analyses on collected samples in a surface habitat demonstration concept [7]. Each rover crew traveled over 60 km during thier field explorations (Rover A, week

show abstract

GeoLab—A habitat-based laboratory for preliminary examination of geological samples

Cited by 12 publications

References 11 publications

Field geologic observation and sample collection strategies for planetary surface exploration: Insights from the 2010 Desert RATS geologist crewmembers

Field geologic observation and sample collection strategies for planetary surface exploration: Insights from the 2010 Desert RATS geologist crewmembers

Tools and technologies needed for conducting planetary field geology while on EVA: Insights from the 2010 Desert RATS geologist crewmembers

NASA Desert RATS 2010: Preliminary results for science operations conducted in the San Francisco Volcanic Field, Arizona

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About