Style Features in Communication of the Crews With Mission Control

In “Content,” an International Space Station (ISS) Russian segment space experiment, features of communication between the cosmonauts and the Mission Control Center (MCC) were studied using content analysis. The method is based on the concept of stress copings by Lazarus and Folkman. Differences found in the communication of cosmonauts led to assumptions about the existence of individual communication styles in routine communication between the cosmonauts and the MCC. The differences found were defined using V. Satir's classical model of communication types. The pre-dominance of three main communication styles (“computing,” “blaming,” and “placating,” as per Satir) was found. Manifestations and features of styles are discussed, considering the effectiveness of the “computing” style for ISS-MCC communication. Cosmonauts with a pre-dominance of this communication style, mostly are stable and with good self-control. An increase of the “blaming” and the “placating” style features in the communication of cosmonauts may require adaptation of the MCC communication and additional psychological support for the cosmonauts.

External Communication of Autonomous Crews Under Simulation of Interplanetary Missions

Two experiments, with 17-day and 120-day isolation, were carried out within the frame of the Scientific International Research in Unique Terrestrial Station (SIRIUS) international project at the Institute of Biomedical Problems (Moscow, Russia). Manifestations of the “detachment” phenomenon in the crew – mission control center (MCC) communication previously identified in the Mars-500 project were confirmed in this study. As in the Mars-500 experiment, in the SIRIUS-19, the landing simulation in the halfway of isolation caused a temporary increase of crew communication with MCC. We also revealed several differences in the communication styles of male and female crew members. By the end of the experiment, there was a convergence of communication styles of all the SIRIUS crew members and also an increase in crew cohesion.

Incorporating Redundant Systems to Capture the Kentucky Money Shot

The Kentucky Eclipse Ballooning Project began in early 2015 when students and faculty from The University of Kentucky attended the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center BalloonSat Workshop in Huntsville, Alabama. The students accelerated their preparations after the Eclipse Ballooning Project Workshop hosted in Bozeman, Montana where they built and learned systems designed by Montana Space Grant. In 2016, the students began a sequence of 10 balloon launches in preparation for the total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. In the early stages of this project, University of Kentucky students set the goal to capture footage of a separate high-altitude weather balloon in front of the solar eclipse, an image dubbed “The Kentucky Money Shot.” After establishing that goal, students began working on approaches and designs to capture this picture with one overarching theme: redundancy. Every aspect of the project from the number of balloons and imaging systems to tracking systems and launch procedures were designed with redundant aspects and through collaboration among the payload, ground station, launch, and mission control teams. The short time window of eclipse totality, 2 minutes 28 seconds, motivated design iterations throughout the progressive practice launches and ground tests including launching two balloons simultaneously, streaming and storing footage of the flight from multiple cameras, and using SPOT Trackers and Iridium systems as multiple tracking approaches. All of these practices and tests led to flying the final redundant designs on August 21st, 2017 to successfully capture “The Kentucky Money Shot”.

Development of Ryerson’s Hyperloop Pod Systems Using a Modular and Systematic Approach

Ryerson International Hyperloop is a special projects team with the intent of developing a fully functioning Hyperloop Pod. The team believes in driving revolutionary change within the transportation industry, with the greater cause of saving time, and to help make Canadian cities more accessible. The Pod was designed using a systematic approach with modularity and reliability as major foci. Its design featured an innovative, student researched and developed linear induction based MagDrive, and MagLev systems for propulsion and levitation. The braking system featured a fail-safe pneumatic deployment system to facilitate braking at high speeds as well as a wireless “Keep Alive” command. The onboard hyperionics is entirely composed of student researched and developed components which provides an expansive communication range and the ability to transmit real time data back to the mission control through all states and stages of the Pod’s run.

Development of Ryerson’s Hyperloop Pod Systems Using a Modular and Systematic Approach

Ryerson International Hyperloop is a special projects team with the intent of developing a fully functioning Hyperloop Pod. The team believes in driving revolutionary change within the transportation industry, with the greater cause of saving time, and to help make Canadian cities more accessible. The Pod was designed using a systematic approach with modularity and reliability as major foci. Its design featured an innovative, student researched and developed linear induction based MagDrive, and MagLev systems for propulsion and levitation. The braking system featured a fail-safe pneumatic deployment system to facilitate braking at high speeds as well as a wireless “Keep Alive” command. The onboard hyperionics is entirely composed of student researched and developed components which provides an expansive communication range and the ability to transmit real time data back to the mission control through all states and stages of the Pod’s run.

OBJECTIVES AND STRUCTURE OF SMART MONITORING OF SPACECRAFT STATUS IN THE COURSE OF MISSION CONTROL

The paper discusses objectives and structure of smart monitoring of spacecraft status in the course of mission control. It defines the place of the monitoring and the notion of analysis used in the context of solving mission control problems. It summarizes the current state of monitoring techniques used in the course of controlling the missions of modern spacecraft and orbital complexes. It provides data on the results of the use of computerized data analysis techniques for our country’s space assets that are currently in operation. It articulates major drawbacks in the monitoring process, which are getting more exacerbated with the current trends in space programs development. It proposes a remedy for the drawbacks by means of development and introduction of procedures that will make telemetry data analysis smarter. The paper introduces the notion of smart analysis and its key advantages in technical applications. It identifies the key prerequisites for expanding the computerization of the monitoring process involved in the spacecraft mission control. It outlines basic operational principles of a smart monitoring system taking into account its operational peculiarities. Key words: spacecraft, mission control, introduction of smart technologies, status analysis, monitoring system.

Objectives and structure of smart monitoring of spacecraft status in the course of mission control

The paper discusses objectives and structure of smart monitoring of spacecraft status in the course of mission control. It defines the place of the monitoring and the notion of analysis used in the context of solving mission control problems. It summarizes the current state of monitoring techniques used in the course of controlling the missions of modern spacecraft and orbital complexes. It provides data on the results of the use of computerized data analysis techniques for our country’s space assets that are currently in operation. It articulates major drawbacks in the monitoring process, which are getting more exacerbated with the current trends in space programs development. It proposes a remedy for the drawbacks by means of development and introduction of procedures that will make telemetry data analysis smarter. The paper introduces the notion of smart analysis and its key advantages in technical applications. It identifies the key prerequisites for expanding the computerization of the monitoring process involved in the spacecraft mission control. It outlines basic operational principles of a smart monitoring system taking into account its operational peculiarities. Key words: spacecraft, mission control, introduction of smart technologies, status analysis, monitoring system.

Remote research in lunar and martian analog international missions to rise knowledge about life in isolation

<p>Analog simulations of space missions transform from educational activities to advanced interdisciplinary research related with future Moon and Mars exploration. Here we present results from Analog Simulations Campaign 2020 at Analog Astronaut Training Center in Poland. We organised 10 analog missions starting with six missions BRIGHT engaging 9 students, mission ETERNITY, DESTINY, and two EMMPOL missions engaging 18 people, what gives 27 analog astronauts in total for the whole campaign. Analog astronauts were supported by the Mission Control Center. Several experts from various disciplines - professional researchers, participated remotely in this project. Analog astronaut samples of serum, urine, stool and saliva were transported and analysed in professional laboratories of Collegium Medicum at Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland. </p><p>Organised analog simulations had a common scientific and operational objectives. The main aim was to study life in isolation to support the general public in pandemic times. Missions were organised in specially equipped with environmental sensors isolated AATC habitat in the South of Poland. We collected multiple physiological and psychological data related with stress, motivation and efficiency of analog astronauts during their missions. We observed changes in physical activity, appetite, circadian rhythms, mood, and motivation, as well as interesting results from physiological samples. We defined the most critical aspects of life in isolation and tested putative solutions for improvement of the comfort of such type of existence. Based on our 4 month studies, we characterised a list of common problems strictly related with life in isolation, which were observed in tested groups. At the end, we propose solutions to improve life and well-being in restricted spaces.</p>

A Bad Time for Mars Time

Thanks to COVID-19, mission control for the Perseverance Mars rover will look emptier than previous missions, and fewer scientists and engineers will follow the rover’s schedule.