this post was submitted on 27 Jun 2023
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Four volunteer crew members entered a Mars-realistic 3D printed habitat.

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago

We still have a lot to learn of the psychology of the situation. Results from these studies are always interesting. Even if it is far from the real thing.

It is also a perfect starting point for a post apocalyptic novel. "The only group to survive the end was a small band of researchers, stuck in their isolation experiment."

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I wonder what specifically they're interested in vs long deployments in Antarctica (people do 12 months rotations in some stations there).

I found this article discussing the psychology of placements in Australian antarctic stations: https://psychology.org.au/for-members/publications/inpsych/2021/february-march-issue-1/life-in-the-australian-antarctic-program.

The differences as I see them are:

  1. Smaller crew
  2. No unsuited outdoor time
  3. Smaller space
  4. Communication latency / outages
  5. Personal belongings weight/volume limits
  6. Dietary restrictions
[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

those doing a antartic winter may as well have the no suited outdoor time, poor clothing choice will be death almost as quick

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Antarctica trips have all of those limits you mentioned, they'll just be worse for Mars. While they can operate sort of freely for a few months, once winter sets in, they are just as isolated as another planet. They just get the advantage of easier setup then Mars.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I'm thinking a lot of the equipment is different as well, and since they mention simulating equipment malfunctions, that plays an important part, especially with the additional limitations/simulated dangers.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

They did a similar thing before. Not sure if this would be super cool to do, or super boring.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Also the biosphere 2 missions.

Those…. Ended “well”.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

True, but the bio-dome project was a smashing success!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

I think there are easier ways to reduce your screen time.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Do we actually intend to send humans to Mars in any reasonable timeframe?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I guess that depends on what you consider reasonable. I figure if they're starting with simulations such as this now, it's reasonable to expect an actual manned mission in maybe 20 years.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Hard to say - There's still a lot of hazards yet to be accounted for: a lot more radiation exposure, literal poison in the soil, severe weather, safe and affordable supply chain, etc.

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