Lunar-Mars Life Support Test Project, Phase IIA: A Crew's 60 Day Experience

Phase IIA of the Lunar-Mars Life Support Test Project was conducted in January, February and March of 1997 at the NASA Johnson Space Center. The primary objective of this test was to demonstrate representative International Space Station life support systems in a closed chamber for sixty days. In addition to air and water recovery twelve medical demonstration projects were evaluated for applicability to the International Space Station. A crew of four engineers consisting of three men and one woman lived and worked inside the chamber continuously throughout the 60-day test. The primary functions of the crew were to provide metabolic loads to the life support systems, perform system maintenance and evaluate human accommodations issues. The crew also performed medical experiments and participated in public affairs events and educational outreach efforts. Test activities were recorded and subsequent reports are being written. The test support team spanned several different divisions within the Johnson Space Center, other NASA centers such as Marshall Space Flight Center, outside contractors and vendors. In addition to the crew the test team consisted of members from the following areas of expertise: Principal Investigator, Test Directors, Test Article Engineers, Crew Communications Officers, Technicians, Quality and Safety Engineers, Researchers, Physicians, Psychologists, crew members from previous tests and Management. Key issues facilitating the success of this test were crew selection, training and preparation, clear definition of crew member roles and communication. Other than previously defined test procedures, full integration of individual crew members with each other and with the support team evolved throughout the duration of the test. A description of the test activities and observations made by the crew are presented in this paper.