HMP Research Station | Haughton-Mars Project http://www.marsonearth.org/ Welcome to the Haughton-Mars Project Research Station en Copyright 2010 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:42:22 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.35 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss HMP 2010: Dr Pascal Lee on HMP 2010 Research Projects

Director of HMP Dr Pascal Lee (NASA Ames, Mars Institute, SETI Institute) talks about research projects this field season at the Haughton-Mars Project.
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Copyright 2010 Mars Institute
July HMP 2010 archives | August HMP 2010 archives

]]> http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/dr_pascal_lee_on_hmp_2010.html http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/dr_pascal_lee_on_hmp_2010.html HMP Science Reports Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:42:22 -0600 HMP 2010: K10 Robot Experiment (NASA Ames Research Center)

Dr Matthew Deans, from the Intelligent Robotics Group (IRG) at NASA Ames, introduces his team for the K10 Experiment this HMP field season, followed by a robot montage! The role of the K10 rover at HMP-2010 is to try to understand how to use a robotic rover to follow up behind humans. This experiment is led by Dr Terry Fong and his team at NASA Ames Research Center. They are remotely operating the K10 robot from Moffett Field, CA. The K10 is obtaining maps of the terrain above and below ground with a variety of instruments.

]]> http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_nasa_k10_robot_experi.html http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_nasa_k10_robot_experi.html HMP Science Reports Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:09:32 -0600 HMP 2010: All have made it home! HercC130_GoingHome.jPG(Copyright 2010 Mars Institute

We are all grateful for the airlift support of the Air National Guard's 102d Rescue Squadron, part of the 106th Rescue Wing based out of Long Island, NY. We'd like to thank in particular Col. Robert Landsiedel and his crew for their support and patience in Resolute Bay as they waited for the HMP-2010 field team to pull out in its entirety. We overnighted in Vancouver then went on to Moffett Field, CA. By now everyone has made it all the way home!

Please keep following MarsOnEarth.org for more updates, science reports, photos and videos in the next several days.

Pictured: (LtoR front): Elaine Walker (E/PO, HMP, Mars Institute), Jesse Weaver (technician), Valerie Meyers, Ph.D. (NASA JSC), Alex Whitworth (Explorer, Captain of the Berrimilla II), Lauren Artman (CSA), Parna Niksirat (SFU), Dr Pascal Lee, Director of HMP (NASA Ames, Mars Institute, SETI Institute) & Ping Pong (Pascal's dog), Kira Lorber (Mars Institute, HMP Logistics Manager), 3 Herc crew members (LtoR) back: Dr Matthew Deans (NASA Ames), Dr Stephen Braham (Chief Field Engineer and Associate Director, HMP / SFU), Vik Kumar (SFU), Isaiah Mandryk (UBC), Col. Robert Landsiedel, Jeff Fagan (chef), Herc crew member, John Schutt (Camp Manager), 3 Herc crew members & Kyle Hruz (Herc Co-Pilot), Travis Oaks (technician), Brenden (Herc Load Master).

]]> http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_all_have_made_it_home.html http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_all_have_made_it_home.html Status Reports Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:57:27 -0600 HMP 2010: Alex Whitworth (Explorer, Captain of the Berrimilla II) Signs Shirt w/Pascal Map

Alex Whitworth, an explorer and Captain of the Berrimilla II, was the first person to sail around the world by including the Northwest Passage. He talks about how Pascal inspired the route for his second circumnavigation with a hand drawn map, and signs a tshirt with Pascal's map on the back.
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Copyright 2010 Mars Institute
July HMP 2010 archives | August HMP 2010 archives

]]> http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_alex_whitworth_explor.html http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_alex_whitworth_explor.html HMP Science Reports Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:46:58 -0600 HMP 2010: Four More Arrive in Resolute, Pascal/PingPong/Steve Coming Soon! Dr Stephen Braham (Chief Field Engineer and Associate Director, HMP / SFU), Dr Pascal Lee, Director of HMP (NASA Ames, Mars Institute, SETI Institute) and his dog, Ping Pong, are the only ones left on Devon and should be flying out very soon! The rest of Dr Braham's crew, Isaiah Mandryk (UBC) and Vik Kumar (SFU), have just arrived, along with Jesse Weaver and Travis Oaks (technicians). We hope to see the remaining three shortly and all leave for Vancouver on the Hercules C-130 just after lunch.

UPDATE: We all made it to Vancouver and are staying at the Marriott!

]]> http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_four_more_arrive_in_r.html http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_four_more_arrive_in_r.html Status Reports Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:04:46 -0600 HMP 2010: Seven More Arrive in Resolute Bay HercC130.JPGCopyright 2010 Mars InstituteSeven more have finally arrived at Resolute Bay from Devon Island! Departing Devon Island were Parna Niksirat (SFU), John Schutt (camp manager), Jeff Fagan (camp chef), Saalia and Terry Pijaimini (both from Grise Fiord), Ben Audlaluk (from Grise Fiord) and Alex Whitworth (the first person to sail around the world by including the Northwest Passage)! They have joined Lauren Artman (CSA), Valerie Meyers, Ph.D. (NASA JSC), Dr Matthew Deans (NASA Ames) Kira Lorber (Mars Institute, HMP Logistics Manager) and [yours truly] Elaine Walker (E/PO, HMP, Mars Institute) in Resolute Bay.

We hope to see remaining six get to Resolute from Devon Island in the morning -- Jesse Weaver and Travis Oaks (both technicians), Dr Pascal Lee, Director of HMP (NASA Ames, Mars Institute, SETI Institute), Dr Stephen Braham (Chief Field Engineer and Associate Director, HMP / SFU) and the remainig two on his team, Vik Kumar (SFU), Isaiah Mandryk (UBC). If all goes well, all will board the Hercules C-130 and overnight in Vancouver before flying to Moffett Field on the 17.

The seven who have just arrived are showering, eating and resting. We will get a group photo once they're feeling refreshed!

]]> http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_seven_more_arrive_in.html http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_seven_more_arrive_in.html Status Reports Sun, 15 Aug 2010 22:28:22 -0600 HMP 2010: Hercules C-130 Arrived in Resolute Bay MCD_Kira_Herc.JPGKira Lorber (Mars Institute, HMP Logistics Manager) and Hercules C-130
Copyright 2010 Mars InstituteThe Hercules C-130 aircraft has arrived at Polar Shelf in Resolute Bay. Kira Lorber (Mars Institute, HMP Logistics Manager), Dr Matthew Deans (NASA Ames), Valerie Meyers, Ph.D. (NASA JSC), Lauren Artman (general ecologist, CSA) and [yours truly] Elaine Walker (E/PO, HMP, Mars Institute) are waiting patiently in Resolute Bay. We are waiting for the rest of the HMP participants to arrive from Devon Island. Weather has not been cooperative thus far. Once the rest of the HMP crew arrives, all will board the C-130 to Moffett Field. We hope to arrive in Moffett Field on the 15th. However, that is a big IF until the weather on Devon Island changes for the better. [I have just added that last sentence-EW]]]> http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_hercules_c130_arrived.html http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_hercules_c130_arrived.html Status Reports Fri, 13 Aug 2010 11:48:21 -0600 HMP 2010: HMP Field Season Wrapping Up Departing.JPGCopyright 2010 Mars InstituteThis HMP field season is wrapping up nicely and the size of the camp is shrinking as we near the end of the season. Dr Pascal Lee, Director of HMP (NASA Ames, Mars Institute, SETI Institute) will be writing a final summary. As well, more videos, photos and science reports will be posted over the next several days, so please keep checking MarsOnEarth.org!

There are still 13 HMP participants at the Research Station on Devon Island including Pascal, John Schutt (camp manager), Jesse Weaver and his assistant, Travis Oaks (technicians), Jeff Fagen (camp chef), Ben Audlaluk, Terry Pijaimini and his sister, Saalia Pijaimini (all 3 from Grise Fiord), Dr Stephen Braham (Chief Field Engineer and Associate Director, HMP / SFU) and his team of 3, Isaiah Mandryk (UBC), Parna Niksirat and Vik Kumar (both of SFU). Steve and his crew are taking down and packing the communications gear while the rest pack up the camp for the Winter. Also at camp is Alex Whitworth, the first person to sail around the world by including the Northwest Passage. We are glad that Alex has made it this year since he did not manage to last year.

Valerie Meyers.JPG
Copyright 2010 Mars Institute
Valerie Meyers, Ph.D. (NASA JSC), Kira Lorber (Mars Institute, HMP Logistics Manager), Lauren Artman (CSA), [yours truly] Elaine Walker (E/PO, HMP, Mars Institute) and the K10 robot team including Dr Matthew Deans, Dr Trey Smith, Dr Hans Utz, Susan Lee, Vinh To and Eric Park (all of NASA Ames) are in Resolute Bay for two more nights. Peter Eckalook is also back in his home town of Resolute Bay and was greeted at Polar Shelf by his mother for a ride home via ATV.
Peter_Mother.JPG
Copyright 2010 Mars Institute
Kelsey Young (Ph.D. candidate at ASU), Dr Steve Hoffman (NASA JSC), and Vicky Glass (captain / HMP safety officer) have made it to their destinations. Dr Perry Johnson-Green (CSA) and Byron Adams (Ph.D. candidate at ASU) have flown out of Resolute Bay and are en route home.]]> http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_hmp_field_season_wrap.html http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_hmp_field_season_wrap.html Status Reports Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:50:07 -0600 HMP 2010: Science Report by Dr Stephen Braham (Chief Field Engineer and Associate Director, HMP / SFU) DrBraham_team.JPG(LtoR): Parna Niksirat (SFU), Dr Stephen Braham (Chief Field Engineer and
Associate Director, HMP / SFU), Isaiah Mandryk (UBC), Vik Kumar (SFU)
Copyright 2010 Mars Institute We have had a very successful field season this year! Our work has concentrated on furthering advanced Information and Computing Technologies (ICT) for next-generation spaceflight while supporting activities at HMP 2010.

The NASA K-10, Landing Site Survey (LSS), and Opportunistic Science activities have utilized SFU's next-generation PlanetNet suite of technologies and architectures for their core communications support. In particular, data communications solutions in the field have reached the point where multiple 3D and HD video streams can be communicated across regional distances in future activities.

SFU has been working on a new project, called the GIGASOC, in which new technologies will be developed and supported to allow for the use of Gigabit per second (Gbps) trans-solar system communication technologies, for maximum exploration effect. This is a new game changing capability and requirement for future advanced human and robotic missions. There are several components to this work, some of which have taken place at HMP this season, other planned for future seasons, and other planned for other projects and locations.

]]> http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/copyright_2010_mars_institutel.html http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/copyright_2010_mars_institutel.html HMP Science Reports Mon, 09 Aug 2010 09:14:47 -0600 HMP 2010: Jeff Fagan (Camp Chef, Mars Institute) on his duties at camp this field season

Jeff Fagan, the camp chef for this HMP field season talks about his role at camp.
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Copyright 2010 Mars Institute
July HMP 2010 archives | August HMP 2010 archives

]]> http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_jeff_fagan_camp_chef.html http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_jeff_fagan_camp_chef.html HMP Science Reports Sun, 08 Aug 2010 20:07:09 -0600 HMP 2010: Vicky Glass (Fire Captain / HMP safety officer) on her role at the HMP camp

HMP safety officer for this HMP field season, Vicky Glass, is a fire captain in Atlanta, GA. She talks about her role at the HMP camp.
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Copyright 2010 Mars Institute
July HMP 2010 archives | August HMP 2010 archives

]]> http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_vicky_glass_fire_capt.html http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_vicky_glass_fire_capt.html HMP Science Reports Sat, 07 Aug 2010 12:11:04 -0600 HMP 2010: Science Report by Valerie Meyers, Ph.D. (Space Life Sciences Division, Wyle Laboratories, NASA JSC) DrValerieMeyers.JPGphoto credit: NASA/Mars Institute/Haughton-Mars Project Spaceflight leads to changes in the body’s immune system. These changes in immunity may decrease crew members’ ability to combat infections and increase their susceptibility to radiation and their risk of developing cancer during long-duration flights. Dr. Dr Valerie Meyers, a Wyle employee supporting NASA’s Space Life Sciences Division, was here to determine whether similar immune changes are occurring in HMP participants. Her research will help to determine the validity of this spaceflight analog for future immunity and countermeasure studies. Dr. Meyers collected blood samples from 4 volunteers and analyzed the presence of surface adhesion molecules on T cells in the field using the Accuri C6 portable flow cytometer, loaned by Accuri Cytometers, Inc. Plasma cortisol levels, an indicator of stress. Soluble surface proteins shed into the blood were also analyzed in the field using the Epoch spectrophotometer, loaned by BioTek. Finally, Dr. Meyers has collected saliva samples which will be returned to Johnson Space Center where they will be analyzed by Satish Mehta of EASI-Microbiology for evidence of viral shedding, a marker of immune suppression seen during spaceflight. This research seeks to provide insight into the mechanisms of immune dysfunction associated with chronic stress, which may help us find ways to minimize the negative effects of stress on astronauts as well as people involved in high stress occupations here on Earth.

See Accompanying Video

]]> http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_science_report_by_val.html http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_science_report_by_val.html HMP Science Reports Fri, 06 Aug 2010 10:30:18 -0600 HMP 2010: Dr Steve Hoffman on Planetary Surface Exploration

Dr Steve Hoffman (Mission Designer, NASA Johnson Space Center) talks about his research at the Haughton-Mars Project this field season on planetary surface exploration.
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Credit: NASA/Mars Institute/Haughton-Mars Project
July HMP 2010 archives | August HMP 2010 archives

]]> http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_dr_steve_hoffman_on_p.html http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_dr_steve_hoffman_on_p.html HMP Science Reports Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:47:31 -0600 HMP 2010: Valerie Meyers, Ph.D., on Immune Suppression Study

Valerie Meyers, Ph.D., talks about her Immune Suppression Study this field season with the Haughton-Mars Project.

See Accompanying Science Report

]]> http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_dr_valerie_meyers_on.html http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hmp_2010_dr_valerie_meyers_on.html HMP Science Reports Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:52:26 -0600 HMP 2010: Hamilton Sundstrand on the Concept Suitports

Elaine Walker (E/PO, Mars Institute) interviews Ron Sidgreaves and Todd Glazier (both of Hamilton Sundstrand) on their concept suitports. She and Jeff Fagen (camp chef) from Vanouver don the suits and go on a short "space walk".
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Copyright 2010 Mars Institute
July HMP 2010 archives | August HMP 2010 archives

]]> http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hamilton_sundstrand_on_the_con.html http://www.marsonearth.org/2010/08/hamilton_sundstrand_on_the_con.html HMP Science Reports Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:36:59 -0600