NASA'S DESERT RATS: PIONEERING THE FUTURE OF PLANETARY FIELD GEOLOGY OPERATIONS

Operational field tests at planetary analog sites have been carried out by the NASA Desert Research and Technology Studies (D-RATS) teams since 1998. Integrated teams of engineers and scientists have merged exploration technologies with exploration strategies to support these ambitious field tests. The centerpiece of these tests over the past three years has been a prototype planetary rover called the Space Exploration Vehicle (SEV). The SEV has supported near-autonomous operations of a pair of astronauts on simulated planetary missions for up to two weeks. During such traverses, investigations can be conducted from within the pressurized environment of the cabin using a suite of cameras and other sensors. The crew can also conduct extravehicular activities (EVAs) facilitated by the innovative "suitport" hatches that allow quick egress and ingress, greatly increasing the flexibility of EVAs while enabling the crew to quickly recover in the shirtsleeve environment of the SEV. The results of the 2009 D-RATS field test at Black Point Lava Flow (BPLF), AZ: 1) highlighted the critical role of having at least one professional geologist per SEV crew and their bearing on achieving the scientific goals of the mission; 2) pointed out the challenges and opportunities in developing a well-trained geological science support team and procedures for field operations, data analysis and curation; and 3) served as an important test of methodologies for constructing, executing, and modifying traverse/EVA plans, in modalities where reconnaissance data is or is not available and when communications are continuous or intermittent. The recent (8/31-9/13/2010) D-RATS field campaign at BPLF and SP Mountain, AZ involved, for the first time, simultaneous operations of two SEVs, each crewed by a geologist and a professional astronaut. The D-RATS team investigated the best practices for effective science team-crew operations using two communication modes with mission control. The results of the 2010 tests further emphasize the vital role that professional field geologists will play in crewed planetary science missions, including: 1) traverse planning; 2) development of field and operational protocols; 3) crew training; 4) science support operations; 5) and, most importantly, as crewmembers during planetary surface operations.