9 research outputs found
Enabling Astronaut Self-Scheduling using a Robust Advanced Modelling and Scheduling system: an assessment during a Mars analogue mission
Human long duration exploration missions (LDEMs) raise a number of
technological challenges. This paper addresses the question of the crew
autonomy: as the distances increase, the communication delays and constraints
tend to prevent the astronauts from being monitored and supported by a real
time ground control. Eventually, future planetary missions will necessarily
require a form of astronaut self-scheduling. We study the usage of a computer
decision-support tool by a crew of analog astronauts, during a Mars simulation
mission conducted at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS, Mars Society) in
Utah. The proposed tool, called Romie, belongs to the new category of Robust
Advanced Modelling and Scheduling (RAMS) systems. It allows the crew members
(i) to visually model their scientific objectives and constraints, (ii) to
compute near-optimal operational schedules while taking uncertainty into
account, (iii) to monitor the execution of past and current activities, and
(iv) to modify scientific objectives/constraints w.r.t. unforeseen events and
opportunistic science. In this study, we empirically measure how the
astronauts, who are novice planners, perform at using such a tool when
self-scheduling under the realistic assumptions of a simulated Martian
planetary habitat
An Easy-To-Use External Fixator for All Hostile Environments, from Space to War Medicine: Is It Meant for Everyone's Hands?
Long bone fractures in hostile environments pose unique challenges due to limited resources, restricted access to healthcare facilities, and absence of surgical expertise. While external fixation has shown promise, the availability of trained surgeons is limited, and the procedure may frighten unexperienced personnel. Therefore, an easy-to-use external fixator (EZExFix) that can be performed by nonsurgeon individuals could provide timely and life-saving treatment in hostile environments; however, its efficacy and accuracy remain to be demonstrated. This study tested the learning curve and surgical performance of nonsurgeon analog astronauts ( = 6) in managing tibial shaft fractures by the EZExFix during a simulated Mars inhabited mission, at the Mars Desert Research Station (Hanksville, UT, USA). The reduction was achievable in the different 3D axis, although rotational reductions were more challenging. Astronauts reached similar bone-to-bone contact compared to the surgical control, indicating potential for successful fracture healing. The learning curve was not significant within the limited timeframe of the study (N = 4 surgeries lasting <1 h), but the performance was similar to surgical control. The results of this study could have important implications for fracture treatment in challenging or hostile conditions on Earth, such as war or natural disaster zones, developing countries, or settings with limited resources
Le traitement des fractures diaphysaires du tibia sur Mars : Une simulation en conditions spatiales
Adequacy of in-mission training to treat tibial shaft fractures in mars analogue testing.
Long bone fractures are a concern in long-duration exploration missions (LDEM) where crew autonomy will exceed the current Low Earth Orbit paradigm. Current crew selection assumptions require extensive complete training and competency testing prior to flight for off-nominal situations. Analogue astronauts (n = 6) can be quickly trained to address a single fracture pattern and then competently perform the repair procedure. An easy-to-use external fixation (EZExFix) was employed to repair artificial tibial shaft fractures during an inhabited mission at the Mars Desert Research Station (Utah, USA). Bone repair safety zones were respected (23/24), participants achieved 79.2% repair success, and median completion time was 50.04 min. Just-in-time training in-mission was sufficient to become autonomous without pre-mission medical/surgical/mechanical education, regardless of learning conditions (p > 0.05). Similar techniques could be used in LDEM to increase astronauts' autonomy in traumatic injury treatment and lower skill competency requirements used in crew selection
Enabling astronaut self-scheduling using a robust modelling and scheduling system (RAMS) : A Mars analog use case
Adequacy of in-mission training to treat tibial shaft fractures in mars analogue testing
Abstract Long bone fractures are a concern in long-duration exploration missions (LDEM) where crew autonomy will exceed the current Low Earth Orbit paradigm. Current crew selection assumptions require extensive complete training and competency testing prior to flight for off-nominal situations. Analogue astronauts (n = 6) can be quickly trained to address a single fracture pattern and then competently perform the repair procedure. An easy-to-use external fixation (EZExFix) was employed to repair artificial tibial shaft fractures during an inhabited mission at the Mars Desert Research Station (Utah, USA). Bone repair safety zones were respected (23/24), participants achieved 79.2% repair success, and median completion time was 50.04 min. Just-in-time training in-mission was sufficient to become autonomous without pre-mission medical/surgical/mechanical education, regardless of learning conditions (p > 0.05). Similar techniques could be used in LDEM to increase astronauts’ autonomy in traumatic injury treatment and lower skill competency requirements used in crew selection