Day: April 26, 2025

Morning Briefing
Unlike previous days, today’s EVAs were student-planned, incorporating a robotic dog into their mission execution. Teams outlined their objectives, focusing on medical response and robotic-assisted transport.

Robotic Dog-Assisted Medical Transport and Emergency Response
Objective: Utilize a robotic dog to carry a medical payload and assist in responding to medical emergencies.
Students deployed the robotic dog with a medical payload to navigate terrain and deliver supplies.

Teams responded to simulated medical emergencies, including an elbow break and an ankle sprain, implementing appropriate stabilization techniques.

The robotic dog was integrated into patient transport logistics, enhancing efficiency and reducing astronaut exertion.

Effective coordination between human team members and the robotic assistant was emphasized.

Emergency Response to Solar Particle Events
Objective: React swiftly and effectively to an incoming solar particle event while ensuring crew safety.
Students monitored simulated space weather updates and identified warning signs of solar activity.

Teams executed emergency sheltering procedures, demonstrating quick decision-making under time constraints.

The robotic dog assisted in transporting critical supplies to designated safe zones.

Communication protocols were tested to ensure seamless information relay between EVA teams and the Hab.

Debriefing and Lessons Learned
Following the EVAs, students participated in a debriefing session where they discussed key takeaways, challenges faced, and strategies for improvement. The session reinforced the importance of teamwork, adaptability, and interdisciplinary collaboration in space mission scenarios. The integration of robotic assistance was evaluated for its effectiveness in medical transport and emergency logistics.

Conclusion
Today’s mission simulation successfully provided an immersive educational experience, highlighting the intersections of medicine, robotics, and engineering in space exploration. Students demonstrated exceptional planning and execution of their EVAs, responding effectively to medical emergencies and environmental hazards. The exercises reinforced critical skills necessary for future roles in space medicine, robotics, and engineering fields.

Objective
The primary goal of today’s mission activities was to provide students with hands-on experience using a litter in the field to rescue a patient with a simulated broken femur. Students applied wilderness first aid principles and engineering design concepts to real-time mission challenges, including fixing communications and responding to an off-nominal situation.

Morning Briefing
The day began with a briefing on the mission objectives and safety protocols. Students were divided into EVA teams and designated specific roles, including medical officers, engineers, and communications specialists. The briefing included an overview of EVA procedures, emergency response strategies, and the environmental hazards associated with the simulated Martian terrain.

Simulated EVA Activities

Medical Emergency Response and Stretcher Transport
Objective: Assess, stabilize, and transport an injured astronaut using a stretcher while coordinating between separated groups.
Teams navigated through rugged terrain to reach a simulated casualty.

Students applied wilderness first aid, including spinal precautions, wound management, and transport strategies.

A stretcher was used to safely transport the patient, requiring coordinated teamwork between two separated groups.

Effective communication with mission control and between field teams was emphasized to relay patient status and coordinate movement.

Engineering Challenge – Communications Antenna Placement and Relay
Objective: Identify, repair, and place a communications antenna in a higher location to improve signal strength while practicing complex communications relay.
Students assessed the terrain to determine the optimal elevated location for the communications antenna.

Teams worked together to transport and securely install the antenna at the selected site, ensuring structural stability and optimal signal transmission.

The challenge tested the integration of engineering skills with mission-critical thinking under time constraints.

Students practiced structured communication techniques to relay complex messages between the separated field teams and the Hab, ensuring clarity and accuracy in mission-critical updates.

Debriefing and Lessons Learned
Following the EVAs, students participated in a debriefing session where they discussed key takeaways, challenges faced, and strategies for improvement. In this EVA, students learned the importance of team structure and dynamic re-structuring to meet the needs of the mission and dynamic medical emergencies. The role of clear and precise communication in high-stakes situations was particularly highlighted as a vital skill for future space missions.

Objective: The primary goal of today’s mission activities was to provide students with hands-on experience in the challenges of medical care and engineering problem-solving during extravehicular activities (EVAs) in a Mars analog environment. Through simulated scenarios, students applied wilderness first aid principles and engineering design concepts to real-time mission challenges.

Morning Briefing: The day began with a briefing on the mission objectives and safety protocols. Students were divided into EVA teams and designated specific roles, including medical officers, engineers, and communications specialists. The briefing included an overview of EVA procedures, emergency response strategies, and the environmental hazards associated with the simulated Martian terrain.

Simulated EVA Activities:
EVA Objective 1: Medical Emergency Response
Assess and stabilize an injured astronaut in a remote location.
Teams navigated through rugged terrain to reach a simulated casualty.

Students applied wilderness first aid, including spinal precautions, wound management, and transport strategies.

Effective communication with mission control was emphasized to relay patient status and request assistance.

EVA Objective 2: Engineering Challenge – Equipment Repair
Identify and repair a malfunctioning habitat life-support system component.
Students conducted a diagnostic assessment of a simulated life-support failure.

Teams employed problem-solving strategies to fabricate and implement temporary repairs using available resources.

The challenge tested the integration of engineering skills with mission-critical thinking under time constraints.

Debriefing and Lessons Learned
Following the EVAs, students participated in a debriefing session where they discussed key takeaways, challenges faced, and strategies for improvement. The session reinforced the importance of teamwork, adaptability, and interdisciplinary collaboration in space mission scenarios.

Conclusion
Today’s mission simulation successfully provided an immersive educational experience, highlighting the intersections of medicine and engineering in space exploration. Students gained valuable hands-on experience in responding to medical emergencies and troubleshooting technical failures, preparing them for future roles in space medicine and engineering fields.