Mission Plan Crew 333
Mars Desert Research Station
March 29-April 11
Conflict management and stress in an isolated environment: a study among participants of the MARS project at UCLouvain
Marie Jansen
Objective
The aim of this research is to examine the extent to which conflict management strategies influence their resolution over time. It also seeks to analyze the evolution of these strategies and to compare their use between a terrestrial environment and a confined setting, as well as the influence all of this may have on stress. This study will contribute to a better understanding of how individuals adapt to conflict in contexts of isolation and confinement.
Methodology
Before the simulation:
- Dutch questionnaire: assessment of usual conflict management styles in daily life
During the simulation (Anonymized online logbook, daily, ~10 min):
- Brief description of any disagreements experienced during the day
- Identification of conflict management strategies (Thomas-Kilmann model, Likert scales)
- Self-assessment and assessment of the other parties involved
- Additional questionnaire: emotional or cognitive presence of the disagreement at the time of completion
Schedule
- Data collection every evening for 10 minutes.
Comparative Analysis of Ground-Based EVA and Drone-Acquired Terrain Perception
Antoine Dubois
Objective
To compare terrain perception in a Mars-analogue environment between ground-level observations during EVA and aerial perspectives acquired through drone imagery.
Methodology
- Field observations during EVA with systematic description of geomorphological features and zones of interest.
- Drone flights over the same areas to capture oblique imagery.
- Comparative analysis between human perception and aerial data to identify biases and complementarities.
Schedule
- EVA every two days on selected sites.
- Pre-EVA briefing to define objectives and areas of interest.
- Post-EVA debrief with crew to compare individual perceptions and confront them with drone imagery.
- Data processing and synthesis between EVAs, with final analysis at the end of the mission.
Verbal Communication and adaptive strategies in extreme confinement: Contribution of speech and language pathology in a Simulated Martian Mission
Zahraa Al-bayati
Objective
To observe how verbal communication evolves during a two-week simulated mission and identify compensatory strategies used by participants to maintain efficiency and group cohesion under stress and fatigue.
Methodology
- Five adult crew members participate voluntarily with informed consent
- Audio recordings of daily briefings, team meetings, and EVA planning
- Short language task (2–3 minutes) every 3–4 days (describe the day or explain a task)
- Brief self-questionnaire every 3 days (stress, fatigue, communication ease)
- Observation log of misunderstandings, conversational repairs, and adaptive strategies
- Participants can withdraw at any time and request data deletion
Schedule
- Beginning phase: Day 1–2 (baseline recordings)
- Middle phase: Day 7–8 (mid-mission recordings)
- Final phase: Day 11-12 (end-mission recordings)
- Language tasks every 3–4 days throughout the mission
- Self-questionnaires every 3 days throughout the mission
Passive Methods to Improve EVA Communication Range
Matias Ballivian
Objective
Compare passive methods to increase radio communication range during EVA without increasing transmitter power consumption.
Methodology
- Directional Antenna Using Reflector Element.
- Passive RLC networks
Schedule
- Create the devices as soon as the components arrive at the station
- Testing on short range EVA communication
- Testing on long range EVA communication
- Comparing the results and drawing conclusions on the viability of these methods
Testing gesture-based interaction in an extreme environment
Joanna Galloway
Objective
To analyze the evolution of a defined set of motor gestures performed by an individual over the course of a simulated extreme environment, utilizing a Tap Strap device, and to evaluate the extent to which the wearable equipment influences movement patterns, accuracy, and consistency.
Methodology
- Use of two Tap Strap, a laptop and an iphone camera
- Qualitative analysis with the help of a form to fill in after each session
- 3 Different sessions for each individual
Schedule
- Initial session in the science dome: Sol 3.
- Session with light equipment: Sol 7
- Session with heavy equipment: Sol 11
Assessing tomato germination on different soils and organic matter proportions
Matthias De Groote
Objective
To assess the effects of Martian soil simulant and organic matter on the germination and early growth of tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), and to compare its performance with desert soil and a control substrate.
Methodology
- Prepare different substrate conditions (Martian soil simulant, desert soil, control substrate, and mixtures).
- Use replicated pots for each condition to ensure experimental reliability.
- Sow 10 seeds in each pot.
- Monitor seeds daily to record germination rate and timing.
- Select a subset of plants after germination for continued growth.
- Measure stem length, root length, root development, and fresh biomass at the end of the experiment.
- Schedule:
- Initial setup and sowing at the beginning of the experiment.
- Daily monitoring of germination until emergence.
- Daily monitoring of plant growth after emergence.
- Final measurements, data collection, and analysis at the end of the experiment