AMADEE-24 Mars Simulation

Project description:

AMADEE-24 is an analogue Mars simulation that is being carried out in Armenia by the Austrian Space Forum (ÖWF) with the help of the Armenian Space Agency. A crew of six analogue astronauts will spend four weeks simulating selected aspects of a manned Mars mission in the province of Ararat, which was selected as a test site due to its topographical and geological parallels with Mars.
The Mission Support Centre in Austria supports the crew by recreating the "ground segment" of an actual Mars mission. This Mission Support Centre includes operations teams, flight planners, remote scientific support and the infrastructure necessary to coordinate a complex series of experiments in the fields of geoscience, engineering, robotics and psychology. The Mission Support Centre is the only contact for the crew and is simulated with a 10-minute communication delay (one way) between "Earth" and "Mars". This mission is the 14th mission of its kind to be led by the Austrian Space Forum.

The aim of the mission is to investigate the behaviour of devices involving the simultaneous use of instruments with humans-in-the-loop, including spacesuit prototypes. In addition, platforms will be developed to test life detection or geoscience techniques and robotic tools whose concepts provide high situational awareness for external support teams. Finally, in addition to investigating the model region and increasing the visibility of planetary science, the know-how for the management of missions with astronauts to Mars will be realised by using a realistic decision-making framework for mission support. If you would like more information about the mission, please visit the following website: oewf.org/amadee-24/

The project "Life support tasks under autonomous operation and under Earth-Mars joint operation", called Staying Alive, is taking place as part of the AMADEE-24 mission. The project is led by Dr Christiane Heinicke (University of Bremen, ZARM - Centre of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity) and Prof. Dr Vera Hagemann (University of Bremen, Department of Business Psychology and Human Resource Management). During a space mission, astronauts experience psychological challenges that can arise from isolation from the rest of humanity. In the environmental conditions on Mars, the survival of astronauts is dependent on a life support system. As part of the Staying Alive project, a photobioreactor (based on cyanobacteria) is used as the air revitalisation component of a life support system. Understanding and easy control of the photobioreactor is of great importance for a successful Mars mission. The crew must be able to rely on the system to function safely, but problems can arise that the crew must solve quickly so that the astronauts' lives are not endangered. Even if the processes of the photobioreactor run largely autonomously, sooner or later repair and maintenance work will be required, which means that overall situational awareness of the condition of the photobioreactor is necessary. The support conditions for dealing with the repair and maintenance tasks of the experiment will be agreed with the mission support centre and/or provided by an AI. The interaction between the astronaut and the photobioreactor will be analysed. The aim of the Staying Alive project is to gain insights into the advantages and disadvantages of human support and support from an AI in relation to the performance and well-being of astronauts. 

Project Partners:

Host agencies:

Austrian Space Forum (Austrian Space Forum - ÖWF/OeWF)
The Austrian Space Forum is one of the leading institutions carrying out Mars analogue missions and thus paving the way for future human exploration of the Red Planet. Experts from a wide range of disciplines and from the space sector form the core of the OeWF's ongoing work. The OeWF works in co-operation with national and international institutions from science and industry at the forefront of scientific research. In addition, the OeWF makes a significant contribution to inspiring and educating young people in the fields of science, technology and engineering.

The OeWF conducts interdisciplinary research at the highest level. The Forum specialises in space science, (human) Mars exploration, Earth observation and astrobiology. The work is published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at scientific conferences and communicated to both experts and the public. In addition, the Austrian Space Forum forms an interface for the Austrian space industry. It builds bridges between the space industry, science, political institutions, decision-makers and opinion leaders as well as the public. The OeWF is an independent and competent contact point within the Austrian and European space sector. It initiates, supports and networks careers. The forum offers student internships, project participation, mentors graduates at universities and enables participation in research and development projects. The OeWF builds and flies, explains and inspires. Hardware, hands-on projects, work in the laboratory or workshop and field trials form the basis of the forum's programmes. Activities for primary school children, evening events with an audience, flying water rockets, street science and space science counselling. More information about the OeWF can be found on the following website: oewf.org/ueber-das-oewf/

 Armenian AeroSpace Agency (AASA)

In the aerospace sector, the Armenian AeroSpace Agency is the country's link between private companies and research institutes. AASA fulfils its requirements and ambitions in science, education, manufacturing and technology. In the field of aerospace industry, AASA owns four production facilities, which are responsible for the production and manufacturing of various equipment. It also offers a new generation of aerospace engines and eVTOL capsules for individual intercity, intercontinental and interplanetary flights. AASA's programmes range from short-term to medium-term and long-term plans. In the short term, for example, an air and space laboratories based on the motto "From idea to product", a scientific and technical council for aerospace and a scientific and educational centre for further training are to be set up. In the long term, mass production of electrically powered permanent/continuous acceleration aerospace engines, electric vertical take-off and landing systems for aerospace (eVTOL) and aerospace safety systems are to be promoted. You can find more information about AASA on the following website: https://armenianasa.net/about