From: baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke)
Subject: Mars Simulation in Antarctica
Followup-To: sci.space
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Reply-To: baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 06:45:36 GMT

Paula Cleggett-Haleim
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                          November 10, 1992
(Phone:  202/358-1547)

Mike Fluharty
National Science Foundation, Washington, D.C
(Phone:  202/357-9498)

RELEASE:  92-200

FIRST STEPS TO MARS TAKEN BY SIMULATION IN ANTARCTICA

	Scientists from NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF) are
taking the first steps to Mars this winter in the most unearthly place on the
planet -- Antarctica.

	NASA and NSF researchers are conducting several unique science and
technology projects developed under a joint effort called the Antarctic Space
Analog Program.  The program uses the harsh, frigid conditions of the
Antarctic continent to test technology and techniques for future missions to
the moon and Mars.

	"Our current work stresses exploration by robots and tests of the
equipment needed to support humans in a remote environment.  We're also
studying how humans interact with those technologies," said Dr. John D.
Rummel, NASA Program Committee Co-Chairperson.

	"The U.S. Antarctic Program, under NSF management, is interested in
testing NASA-developed technologies, such as telescience, which could help
reduce the number of people who run our scientific experiments," said Dr.
Carol A. Roberts, NSF Program Committee Co-Chairperson.

	"Also," she continued, "we are very much interested in preserving the
pristine Antarctic environment through improved waste processing and
energy production technologies."

	The Antarctic, known for its physical challenges, isolation and rugged
terrain, is an excellent place to evaluate exploration technologies and human
factor questions because scientists live and work under conditions similar to
those that planetary explorers will encounter.

"Telepresence" and Power

	From October through December, researchers are studying a
permanently frozen Antarctic lake using "telepresence" technology developed
at NASA's Ames Research Center, Mountain View, Calif.  Telepresence lets an
operator, wearing a video headset, see through cameras on a remotely-
controlled robot.  The researcher's head movements direct the camera's
movements.

	In the project, a remotely operated "rover", connected to the surface
by a cable, will descend into Lake Hoare to study the lake's life forms.  The
goal is to demonstrate the scientific use of telepresence while gaining further
insight into the Mars environment that may have existed several billion years
ago.

	The scientists' field camp is supported by an advanced solar power
system that can be deployed easily in remote field locations.  NASA's Lewis
Research Center, Cleveland, developed the system.

	The NASA Office of Space Science and Applications and Office of
Advanced Concepts and Technology and NSF's Division of Polar Programs
jointly sponsor the expedition.

"Dante" to Descend into Volcanic "Inferno"

	Later this season, NASA plans to send an eight-legged robot into the
crater of Antarctica's Mount Erebus, the world's only easily-reached volcano
with a permanent lava lake.  The rover, appropriately dubbed "Dante," will
photograph the crater, measure the temperature of the lava lake and sample
the gases it releases.

	The Erebus project will test technology for future robotic explorers
that could cross the rugged Martian landscape.  It also will collect science
data to help understand Earth's environment, since some scientists think that
gases from volcanic eruptions may play a role in depleting Earth's ozone layer.

	Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, built Dante under a $2 million
NASA grant.

[NOTE:  This rover test has been postponed to next year.  Last week, Dante
        damaged four its legs during a test run and has been sent back to
        Carnegie Mellon for repairs.  Ron Baalke  ]

Fresh Food for Future Explorers

	In another experiment, the NASA/NSF researchers are trying to
produce fresh food and to a significant extent, recover water under controlled
conditions at the South Pole.

	The Closed Ecological Life Support System Antarctic Analog Project
addresses crop productivity, the effect of fresh food on humans' well-being
and how the integrated system performs.  Scientists believe that having fresh
food during the long South Polar winter will be good for their physical and
psychological well-being -- benefits that would apply to long-duration human
space missions as well.

	The project's waste management system also will reduce the impact of
humans on the pristine polar environment.  In January, scientists will travel
to the South Pole to evaluate the site and to analyze waste materials that will
be recycled by the system.

	The program is managed by the Advanced Life Support Division at
NASA's Ames Research Center and is co-sponsored by Ames' Life Sciences
Division and the NSF Division of Polar Programs.

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