Scientists in Antarctica are learning to fly on the spacecraft, studying the possible problems of the Mars mission is incredible, and simulates the isolation faced by astronauts during such long trips. From the window of the research station Holly, owned by British Antarctic Survey on the ice shelf in Antarctica, nothing to see. “The monotony, says Natalie Pattin. — I can look out the window and see the huge, flat, white infinity”.
This is the type, though approaching the middle of summer and temperatures reach a lovely -3 degrees Celsius.
As a physician for Holly, Patten also studies the effects of isolation in a small society in a harsh environment. This study is supported by the European space Agency and aims to identify the human problems of life on the moon or travel to Mars and back. The mission trip will take at least two years.
“It’s a real sensory deprivation, says Patten. — Any variations not only in the external landscape, but also in social — only winter, a dozen of us and nobody else”.
BBC correspondent talked to Patten on the phone and found out that Puttin lives on the basis of already more than a year.
“I have exactly 23 steps between the bedroom and my work space, she says. — One of the things that really help is the ability to talk with people at home, because it helps to keep perspective — this is like a dystopian society, which can be found in a sci-Fi novel”.
Obviously, these phrases will not hear from the organizers of such events. And still such an environment is ideal for Pectin. And although sometimes the watch is not on one of her research includes flight on the spacecraft.
This project uses a fully equipped spacecraft “Soyuz” to study how the skills of the astronauts were likely to deteriorate during long missions.
“Degradation of skill is a very critical and urgent problem for professions like mine,” says Patten.
“I’m a consultant in emergency medicine, but the hospital just over a year ago, saw 20 patients a day and performed numerous technical acts, etc., she says. — We send a trained professional to Mars, but how much training, experience and craftsmanship you can expect, if he doesn’t use his skills?”.
This aspect of the research Pectin may also be of direct benefit to the aviation industry on Earth, especially for pilots who return to work after a break or change aircraft models.
Simulator spacecraft, which uses Pectin, has identical real causoska tools and works exactly the same as simulation “Union” are trained cosmonaut in Russia’s Star city. Volunteers participating in the experiment, even going through the same mission to demonstrate its performance.
“We train them until they reach a certain level of professionalism, says Patten. — After that they are divided into two groups, one with frequent exercise and other rare training.”
Quickly forgotten
The same experiment performed by a doctor at the Franco-Italian Concordia research station high on the Antarctic plateau and one in the control center of the Stuttgart University in Germany.
In the study, few people are surprised that people with a rare workouts lose performance. The important question, however, is how quickly knowledge goes, how much worse skills and show themselves as some subjects compared with others.
Patten have sketched some preliminary findings. “We know that people learn at different rates — some people catch on pretty quick, others need more time. The funny thing is that no correlation in this, so you can quickly learn, but also quickly to forget”.
This conclusion has implications for pilots, among which the ability to learn quickly is often perceived by instructors as a good indicator of subsequent performance. Research shows that anything can be completely wrong.
Along with the research simulator of the spacecraft, Patten holds a number of other experiments within the Antarctic station, to reflect the problems of extended periods of isolated time in space.
She argues that it is not imitation. “If I there will be an emergency, says Patten, — it will be a real case and I have to really cope with it — and this is much closer to the reality of space flight than a thought experiment with isolation”.
Antarctic personnel must also cope with the problem of good sleep during the constant daylight of polar summer and 24-hour winter darkness. Astronauts on the International space station also has to get used to disturbed sleep — to deal with 90 minute day. Most likely, any spacecraft on the way to Mars will be almost constantly exposed to sunlight for solar energy — with a permanent day on one side and night on the other.
“It’s strange to see how some people suffer from lack of light and others don’t, says Patten. — I have problems with Wake energy in the winter and during the day if I don’t see sunlight in the window”.
Given that Antarctica was inhabited the station continuously for more than 50 years, it is surprising how little research was conducted on the topic of violations of the hours of the body. To study these effects, Patten treats volunteers bright light in winter and in summer melatoninbuy additives.
“The hormone melatonin in our bodies gives us light in the environment, she explains. — If in the environment around you not change the lights, you will have problems with the secretion of melatonin, and therefore sleep”.
Fights and insults
Perhaps the biggest problem of living and working in an isolated environment — whether it’s an Antarctic base or a spacecraft on the way to Mars is relationship management. How to prevent the conversion of small-scale nonsense in strife or fighting?
In the 1990s, one of the Antarctic base rebelled, the crew decided not to follow the instructions of his commander. Romantic connection, too, caused problems — imagine the convenience life and work with his ex (im). Even more embarrassing if he (she) is now Dating a colleague, with whom you also have to work.
“People easily miss the sense of perspective, says Patten. — You must define a group structure to simplify everyday life, but also to react in case of extremely situation, otherwise you will put people’s lives at risk.”
The problems faced by those who live on a raft of floating ice at the other end of the planet, remarkably similar to those faced by space travelers in the future. The results of these studies will help both groups to live, work and adapt to life in extreme conditions.
So, after my experience in Antarctica, signed, Patten now for a trip to Mars?
“No,’ she says. — I too like my life on Earth.”