Developing Intra-EVA Science Support Team Practices for a Human Mission to Mars

Area of Science:

• Planetary science
• Geology
• Astrobiology

Background:

• The BASALT program conducted simulated Mars missions using real scientific fieldwork.
• Extravehicular activities (EVAs) were supported by a Science Support Team (SST) in a Mission Support Center (MSC).
• Operational constraints included Mars-analog communication delays and limited bandwidth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze Science Support Team (SST) workspace considerations during simulated Mars missions.
• To identify factors influencing SST productivity and efficiency.
• To understand the impact of workspace design and operational techniques on scientific decision-making.

Main Methods:

• Focus on SST workspace elements: team roles, physical layout, communication, operational techniques, and technology.
• Analysis of changes made to the SST workspace and operations during field deployments in Idaho and Hawai'i.
• Observation of how the SST adapted to Mars-like communication latencies and bandwidth limitations.

Main Results:

• Workspace adjustments and the addition of new roles improved SST efficiency.
• The SST workspace layout evolved to prioritize face-to-face interactions over data displays.
• Operational techniques were developed to manage discussions and information flow under pressure.

Conclusions:

• Effective workspace design and adaptable operational techniques are crucial for SST performance in simulated Mars missions.
• Face-to-face communication is vital for effective decision-making within the SST.
• The BASALT program demonstrated the importance of optimizing human factors in supporting remote scientific exploration.