NASA Groundlink: Q&A with Crew Isolated in HERA Habitat (C6M2) | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

NASA's HERA mission simulates a trip to Mars' moon Phobos to study the effects of confinement and isolation on astronaut crews.

Key Insights

• 👨‍🚀 HERA aims to study the impact of confinement and isolation on astronaut crews during deep space exploration.
• 👨‍🔬 The research is conducted on the crew themselves, focusing on their interactions and performance.
• 👶 The mission involves operational tasks, testing new technologies, and conducting experiments similar to those on the International Space Station.
• 😷 Maintaining mental and physical health is crucial during the mission, and support from medical professionals and personal strategies play a vital role.
• 👨‍🚀 Providing a baseline of data helps scientists understand and predict the effects of stressors on astronauts during long-duration space flights.
• 🎟️ Balancing personal connections and responsibilities with the mission's objectives is essential for maintaining focus and operational efficiency.
• 😷 The crew members follow strict protocols to ensure their health and well-being, including a healthy diet, exercise, and regular consultations with medical professionals.

Transcript

[ MUSIC] >> HI, I'M JARED. THIS IS PAT. WE'RE AT NASA'S JOHNSON SPACE CENTER INSIDE OF HERA, THE HUMAN EXPLORATION RESEARCH ANALOGUE. THIS IS CAMPAIGN SIX, MISSION TWO OF HERA. OUR MISSION IS A SIMULATED TRIP TO MARS' MOON, PHOBOS, TO HELP SCIENTISTS UNDERSTAND HOW CONFINEMENT AND ISOLATION IN REMOTE CONDITIONS MIGHT IMPACT OR INFLUENCE HOW ASTRONA... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What research projects and experiments are being conducted during the HERA mission?

The research projects on HERA focus on the crew themselves, studying their interactions and performance in a simulated deep space environment. The experiments fall into operational tasks, testing new technologies, and conducting similar experiments to those on the International Space Station.

Q: How big is the HERA habitat?

The HERA habitat is approximately 636 square feet, containing workstations, a hygiene module, living area, galley, and exercise area. Level three consists of bunk beds without a floor.

Q: How do the crew members maintain their appetite and prevent any changes in their appetite?

The crew members of HERA have noticed an increase in their appetite due to the constant movement and physical activity required in the simulated mission. The increased caloric intake helps maintain their energy levels.

Q: How is the effect of isolation measured if the crew members know they are still on Earth?

While HERA cannot fully simulate long-duration space flight, it provides researchers with a baseline of data to understand the effects of stressors like isolation and confinement. The metrics collected during the mission help predict and determine the impact of these stressors on astronauts during deep space exploration.

Q: How does the mission measure the effects on the human body and mind?

The crew members wear wearables that track their vital signs, providing continuous data on their health. In addition, regular blood samples are collected to monitor their overall health and record baseline data for comparison. This information helps scientists understand the effects of isolation and confinement.

Q: What challenges do the crew members face in the unfamiliar environment, and how do they overcome them?

The crew members face challenges such as confinement, isolation from their families, and communication delays with mission control. Overcoming these challenges requires teamwork, clear communication, and creating agreements and boundaries to ensure smooth operation and cohesion as a team.

Q: How do the crew members stay healthy during the mission, and what happens if someone gets sick?

The crew members maintain their health through a healthy diet, regular exercise, and constant monitoring of vital signs. They also have weekly consultations with medical doctors and psychologists. If someone falls seriously ill, they can be removed from the mission.

Q: Are the crew members allowed to bring personal items from home on the mission?

While personal items are allowed, items that could compromise the research, such as cell phones or connections to the internet, are not permitted. The crew members can bring books and pictures of their families to help with their mental well-being.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• HERA is a research project that involves studying the effects of confinement and isolation on astronaut crews.

• The research is conducted on the crew themselves, involving various activities and tasks.

• The mission includes operational tasks, testing new technologies, and conducting experiments similar to those on the International Space Station.