What is the NASA Desert Rats?

The Desert RATS is a NASA-led team of research partners working together to prepare for human-robotic exploration. This "working group," led by NASA personnel, is comprised of both NASA and non-NASA Members.

NASA's Desert Research and Technology Studies (Desert RATS or D-RATS) is a group of teams which perform an annual series of field trials seeking to demonstrate and test candidate technologies and systems for manned exploration of the surface of the Moon, Mars, or other rocky bodies.

Desert RATS began in 1998, reviving Apollo-style lunar exploration training from decades earlier. The field event takes place for around ten days each year, usually in September, in planned locations surrounding Flagstaff, Arizona. In recent years tests have been conducted near Meteor Crater. The rugged terrain, temperature swings, and dirt and dust provide a reasonable simulation of conditions on Mars. The trials at D-RATS may help to fulfill the goals of Project Constellation and the Vision for Space Exploration.

NASA Kennedy Space Center's Desert RATS

Every September, after the summer rain backs off but before the mornings get too cold, a pack of RATS descends on the desert near Flagstaff, Ariz., to spend two weeks testing technologies that will play a vital role in the future of space exploration.

“Our role in Desert RATS is to make sure everything can communicate, and make sure people back in the mission control building at Johnson Space Center can connect and interact with the test site," Seibert explained.

Additionally, the cryogenics surface systems group revealed a new technology that will allow lunar explorers to recharge their liquid air packs with super-cold consumables without the interference of lunar dust. Known as the "dust-tolerant cryogenic quick disconnect," it uses a special bellows-like enclosure around the contacts to protect the seals from the damaging dust

The interactivity, cooperation and rehearsals between the Desert RATS teams at various NASA centers and universities continue throughout every year, culminating in the annual desert test. This ongoing process means problems are rooted out long before new flight hardware.

Why are human missions to Mars needed?

According to NASA, a manned mission to Mars is needed, because the real-time decision-making capabilities and spontaneous nature of humans can bring a new experience and perspective to the exploration of Mars that the robotic missions do not allow. Humans are more flexible, adaptable, and perceptive than current robots. According to Steve Squyres, an astronomy professor at Cornell University and principal investigator of the Mars Exploration Rover Mission, “we are many decades from robots that can match humans, even in the lab, and laboratory robotics is about 20 years ahead of space robotics.”

http://aerospacescholars.jsc.nasa.gov/HAS/cirr/em/9/2.cfm
http://www.marsdaily.com/reports/Are_manned_missions_needed_to_explore_Mars_and_beyond_999.html

The Risks of a Manned Mission to Mars, Part IX

Many could argue that the biggest risk of a manned mission to Mars is the human factor. The lowest energy round trip to Mars is nearly three years. During this trip, the astronauts are confined in such a small spacecraft that they are unable to distance themselves from each other. This may lead to unwanted tensions between the crew members. Many studies have indicated that due to the isolated and confined nature of spaceflight, there are many evidences of serious interpersonal conflicts between the crew members in long-duration space missions.

“The failure of flight crews to cooperate and work effectively with each other or with flight controllers has been a periodic problem in both US and Russian space flight programs. Interpersonal distrust, dislike, misunderstanding, and poor communication have led to potentially dangerous situations.”

http://bioastroroadmap.nasa.gov/User/risk.jsp?showData=24

The Risks of a Manned Mission to Mars, Part VIII

Another risk that we should consider is the cost of the mission. A human mission to Mars is expected to cost around $100 billion. This money will come at the cost of more important NASA projects. Recently, NASA has stated that it doesn’t have enough funding to scan the solar system for potentially dangerous asteroids. According to NASA, any asteroid that is bigger than 460 feet in diameter poses a threat to Earth. So without the necessary funds, NASA can no longer track these asteroids to prevent Earth from destruction.

http://www.spacescan.org/entry/nasa-lacking-funds-to-protect-earth-from-killer-asteroids/

The Risks of a Manned Mission to Mars, Part VII

In addition to all of these previously mentioned hazards, there are three more major risks involved with a manned mission to Mars. One of these risks is the lack of real-time transmission from Mission Control. Considering the large distance between Mars and Earth, it takes about 20 minutes for a signal to travel from Mars to Earth. So if the astronauts were to encounter a severe problem with their equipments, they will have to wait for roughly 40 minutes to get a solution from Mission Control. During this idle time, the astronauts are at risk.

http://www.spacescan.org/entry/top-10-risks-in-manned-mission-to-mars/

The Risks of a Manned Mission to Mars, Part VI

An additional hazard is the low temperatures on the surface of Mars. The temperature can range from -129° C to 0° C. A prolonged stay in such low temperatures could have a dangerous effect on the blood circulation or even cause hypothermia.

http://www.spacescan.org/entry/top-10-risks-in-manned-mission-to-mars/