ASTRONAUT FIELD GEOLOGY TRAINING FOR THE MOON AND MARS

The President has directed NASA, to embark upon a new voyage of exploration that includes returning astronauts to the Moon and then proceeding on to Mars. However, NASA has not explored another world with astronauts since 1972. Therefore, in order to more fully achieve these new exploration objectives it seems prudent to dust off the Apollo playbook. The six Apollo Lunar landing expeditions provide us with the only ground truth and experience for manned planetary exploration. It seems reasonable to assume that some of the guiding principles and lessons learned from Apollo will be useful in the scientific training of the crews for these new exploration expeditions.

Apollo Lessons Learned: The Apollo astronauts received extensive geologic field training to insure maximum scientific gain and reduce risk to the EVA team. These field exercises proved to be invaluable and contributed greatly to the achievement of all lunar surface science objectives (including intelligent sample acquisition and documentation). Moreover, these field based exercises were also useful in sharpening the skills and interaction of astronauts and the ground science teams. The Apollo data show that only about 30% of the total lunar surface stay time was devoted to EVA; longest EVA was 7.6 hours; and that the maximum distance from the LM was 7 km in order to allow for a safe walk back in case of LRV failure. Some Apollo EVA constraints will also apply to future Lunar and Martian EVAs. These similarities and differences will be discussed in more detail as they apply to exploring the Moon and Mars.

Value of Analogs: Analog studies and geological field training exercises will be even more crucial in the manned exploration of Mars because of its rich and complex geological history (perhaps even biological history). This will present new and exciting challenges to the manned exploration of both the surface and subsurface of Mars. The rationale for this type of training will be to reduce operational risk to the crew as well as increase crew productivity. Numerous analog field sites will also be discussed.

Training the current cadre of astronauts is also important because some will have senior management positions by the time we are ready for this new phase of exploration. This will prove invaluable in supporting and controlling a multi-year Mars expedition.