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Experiences of a NASAFlight Controller, Astronaut
Trainer, and Martian
Del Mar CollegeNatural Science Lecture Series
April 16, 2010
Stacy L. CusackNASAs Johnson Space Center
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Overview
Background Information about ISS Keeping humans alive in space Jobs at NASA
Flight Controller Astronaut Trainer Station Training Lead
Travel for Work Travel to Mars
ISS vs. Mars What I learned on Mars
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Background
Bachelors Degree in Aerospace Engineering from Rutgers University
(State University of New Jersey)
Worked for 3 years as an Engineer in a small consulting firm doingHeating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) design in NJ
Moved to Houston, Texas to work for Barrios Technology A woman-owned small business and NASA sub-contractor
11 years at NASAs Johnson Space Center supporting InternationalSpace Station (ISS) Operations Environmental Control & Life Support Systems (ECLSS) Flight Controller
ECLSS Spaceflight Instructor (aka astronaut trainer)
Space Station Training Lead
Converted from a contractor to a Civil Servant
Masters Degree in Planetary Geology from University of Houston Clear Lake
Crewmember on two Mars analog missions as a volunteer for the MarsSociety
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International Space Station (ISS)
Permanently manned since November 20006 crewmembers living onboard ISS at this time
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ISS Flythrough Video
by Jeff Williams
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International Space Station (ISS)
United States Russia
Canada
Japan
Europe Belgium Denmark France Germany Italy Netherlands
Norway Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom
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Interesting Facts about ISS
Interior volume is ~ 27,000 cubic feet
Apollo Lunar Module - 235 cu ft, proposed Altair lunar lander 1,120 cu ft, Shuttle - 2,475 cu ft
Average distance from Earth to ISS is 215 miles Distance to the Moon 240,000 miles, distance to Mars 140,000,000 miles
ISS solar arrays can generate up to 72 kW of power Average home needs solar panels which generate ~ 2 kW of power
It takes ~ 75 computers to run all the software to operate ISS
There are ~ 80 laptops onboard Used for commanding to equipment, reading procedures, logging medical data, and most
recently connecting to the internet and tweeting from space!
900 gallons of water for drinking, hygiene, and to generate oxygen
250 gallons of ammonia to reject heat from ISS equipment
700 lbs of oxygen and 400 lbs of nitrogen onboard to maintain the cabin
pressure at Earth equivalent pressure
88 smoke detectors for fire and smoke detection
1,600 gallons of fuel (propellant) for attitude control
~ 2,000 tools just on the US Segment for maintenance and repairs
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Keeping Humans Alive in Space
Humans need the following to live in space:
Water for drinking, hygiene, and food prep 6 crewmembers use about 3.5 gallons of water per day
Oxygen to breathe 11 lbs needed for 6 crewmembers
Oxygen and nitrogen to maintain cabin pressure Clean, well ventilated atmosphere free of particles and trace gasses
Off gassing from foam, packaging, new hardware, etc
Waste removal Food
Humans generate the following waste products: Carbon dioxide
CO2 becomes hazardous after 3.5 days without active scrubbing
Sweat (humidity/condensate) 6 crewmembers generate 2 gallons of sweat per day
Urine 6 crewmembers generate 2.4 gallons of urine per day
Solid Waste Hair/skin/trash/etc
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Closed Loop Life Support
Oxygen generator splits water molecules into hydrogen andoxygen
Oxygen is vented into the cabin for breathing Hydrogen goes to the Sabatier reactor
Sabatier reactor takes the CO2 and H2 and converts it intomethane (vented overboard) and water
WATER PROCESSOR
DistillateCondensate
Drinking water
Water
Oxygen
CABIN
CREW
URINE PROCESSOR
OXYGEN GENERATOR SABATIER
Urine
Carbon Dioxide
Hydrogen
Water
overboard
Methane
Urine and water
processors take urineand condensate (fromsweat) and turn theminto drinking water
Carbon dioxide scrubberremoves CO2 from theatmosphere
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Spacecraft Emergencies
Loss of cabin pressure
A hole in the pressure shell of only in diameter
requires the crew to evacuate ISS in 3 hours
Fire in the cabin or behind a rack
Toxic atmosphere
Ammonia from external loops
Leaking batteries
Urine concentrate
Solutions used in scientific experiments
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ECLSS Flight Controller
First job at NASA was as an Environmental Control & LifeSupport Systems (ECLSS) Officer Certified as a back room (Atmosphere Consumables Engineer) and
front room officer Split time between office work and working in Mission Control
Responsible for writing procedures and flight rules to operate
the life support systems on ISS When on console, operated thelife support systems Managed all of the consumables
water, oxygen, nitrogen, etc.
Worked 2000 hours in MissionControl
Also responsible for spacecraftemergencies
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ACE (back room) Officer
STS-97/4A STS-104/7ASTS-102/5A.1 STS-105/7A.1
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ECLSS (front room) Officer
STS-110/8A STS-117/13ASTS-112/9A STS-118/13A.1
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ECLSS Spaceflight Instructor
Second job at NASA was as an ECLSS Spaceflight Instructor Certified to run the life support systems in the ISS simulator, used totrain flight controllers and crewmembers
Certified to teach astronauts, cosmonauts, flight controllers, and otherNASA and International Partner personnel in the operations of ISS lifesupport systems
Taught 16 different lessons inmultiple environments Classroom
Part Task Trainer
ISS mockups Taught crewmembers how to
respond to ISS emergencies:fire, depress, toxic atmosphere
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Lead ECLSS Instructor
STS-121/ULF1.1 Expedition 15
Put photo with E15 here
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ECLSS Instructor ISS Simulator
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ECLSS Instructor ISS Mockups
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ECLSS Instructor Emergency Training
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Station Training Lead
Current job at NASA is as a Space Station Training Lead
Lead a team of instructors running ISS and ISS/Shuttle simulations tocertify flight controllers
Lead a team of instructors responsible for following an assigned crewfrom the start of training through flight to post flight debriefs
Lead numerous training
sessions for astronauts andcosmonauts Routine operations, aka A Day
in the Life of a Space Stationcrewmember
Malfunction scenarios: loss ofpower, loss of cooling, etc.
Emergency Scenarios
Develop training plans forfuture missions
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Station Training Lead
Expedition 20 STS-132/ULF-4HTV-1 (unmanned)
Put photo with 132 here
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Where I Work
Houston, TexasJohnson Space Center (JSC), Mission Control Center Houston (MCC-H)
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Travel for NASA
Huntsville, AlabamaMarshall Space Flight Center (MSFC),
Payload Operations Center (POC)
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Star City and Moscow, RussiaGagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC), Mission Control Moscow (TsUP)
Travel for NASA
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Oberpfaffenhofen, GermanyEuropean Space Agency (ESA), Columbus Control Center (COL-CC)
Travel for NASA
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Tsukuba, JapanJapanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Space Station Integrated Promotion Center (SSIPC)
Travel for NASA
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Mars Society Research Stations
The Mars Society An international nonprofit volunteer organization
Research on how to live & work on another planet
Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) Located near the southern Utah town of Hanksville
Site is very isolated and has Mars-like appearance
and terrain Two week long simulations conducted from Novemberthrough May each year
Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station (FMARS) Located on Devon Island at 75 deg North in the
Canadian Arctic
Island is completely uninhabited and unvegetated Habitat is located on the edge of an impact crater
One month long simulations conducted during themonth of July during the Arctic summer
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Habitats and Mock Space Suits
8 m (26 feet)in diameter
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Habitat Layout First Floor
First Floor -
Two Airlocks
Work area (experiments& maintenance)
EVA prep & suit storage
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Habitat Layout Second Floor
Second Floor food prep, computer work area, common area, crew quarters
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Habitat Layout CQs and Loft
Crew Quarters, Loft (water and food storage)
Upper BunkLower Bunk
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Exterior Activities
Generator shack, fuel storage,
ATVs, drinking water source
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MDRS Crew 7
Completed a two week tour at MDRS in November 2002
Served as the Executive Officer, Habitat Capcom, and one of thegeologists on the crew
International crew was comprised of members from France,Belgium, United Kingdom, and the United States
Crew Background geologist/author, rocket propulsion system
engineer, NASA flight controller, teacher, BBC news editor, andfull time student
Age range 22 to 55
Completed 24 EVAs
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MDRS Crew 7 Experiments
Ground Penetrating Radar
Cliff Reconnaissance Vehicle
GreenHabwater recycling
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FMARS Crew 12
Completed a 5 week mission at FMARS in July 2009
Served as the EVA Lead, Capcom, and one of the geologists onthe crew
All American crew
Crew Background mining geologist, engineer, NASA traininglead, elementary school teacher, NASA flight controller, NOAA
geophysicist Age range 26 to 69
Completed 16 EVAs
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FMARS Crew 12 Experiments
UnmannedAerial Vehicle
Seismic Station
Time-domain ElectromagneticGroundwater Survey
Omega EnvoyRover
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ISS vs. Mars Operations
International Space Station
Food, supplies, and spare parts arewell stocked Regularly resupplied by cargo vehicles Many redundancies in critical systems and
extensive set of tools and supplies forrepairs
Communications between Earth andISS is almost instantaneous andcontinuous Ground team controls almost all systems
Mission Control team responsibilities: Performs all troubleshooting that does not
require an immediate response
Assists the crew during emergencies andfailures Responsible for day-to-day and long term
planning, as well as prioritizing mission andscience objectives
Mars Missions
Food, supplies, and spare parts will belimited due to storage space Resupply will be very infrequent, at best Crew has to be very skilled in troubleshooting
and creative repair techniques with whateveris on hand
Round trip communications time
between Earth and Mars averagesaround 20 minutes Ground system control is not an option
Mission Support team responsibilities: Assist the crew with complex troubleshooting
which does not require a quick turnaround
May perform long term planning
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ISS vs. Mars Operations
International Space Station
Crew responsibilities: Executes the daily plan created by Mission
Control Maintains real-time situational awareness to
assist the ground team Responds to spacecraft emergencies
Mission Commander of an ISSmission: Responsible only for looking out for fellow
crewmembers and taking charge duringfailures and emergency response
Not required to develop the daily plan ofactivities
Not required to decide science and missionpriorities
Mars Missions
Crew responsibilities: Crew has to be autonomous due to the
communications time lag Required to perform troubleshooting
without the real-time assistance of groundsupport teams
Responsible for day-to-day planning andprioritizing mission and science objectives
Mission Commander of a Marsmission: Balance daily activities, science objectives,
and mission priorities Prevent unnecessary crew fatigue and
maintain crew cohesion Promote crew consensus on decisions
without dictating
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ISS vs. Mars EVAs
EVAs on Mars will be completely different from ISS EVAs
ISS EVAs are performed by running through step-by-step procedurespracticed extensively on Earth
EVAs on Mars will require crews to modify their plans regularly based onsurface conditions, weather, and field observations
Mars crews will need tools to help them plan a safe and efficient route to adestination of interest, they wont be able to practice traverses in advance
Mars crews will not be able to rely on the ground for real-time troubleshootingor monitoring (metabolic rates, oxygen usage, battery time, etc.)
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What I Learned on Mars
Traveling long distances will require a rover But, if your rover breaks down, you cant call AAA!
Try changing a spark plug while wearing a space suit
Working in an space suit can be a challenge!
Picking up rocks and pressing buttons with bulky gloves Reading equipment displays through a helmet
Kneeling down on a rocky surface with a heavy back pack
And, getting back up to a standing position
Rock hammers, chisels, & sample bags are a must
But you really dont want to put a hole in your suit
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What I Learned on Mars
Unlike ISS, there is no quick way home from Mars
ISS crewmembers always have the option to evacuate ISS inan emergency (fire, depress, toxic, or medical)
Mars crews will have to deal with the emergency and takeaction to keep their habitat livable and the crew healthy
Medical supplies and medical support on Mars willbe limited (due to launch cost and distance)
ISS is well stocked with medical supplies ISS Flight Surgeons are always available to assist in real time
An incapacitated ISS crewmember can return to Earth
A Mars crewmember has to be treated on Mars
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What I Learned on Mars
ISS crews have their day carefully planned down to the minute
Sufficient time is allotted for sleep, exercise, off duty, medical & family conferences, etc. Keeps the crew healthy from a physical and psychological perspective
Mars crews will have to take an active role in managing their day Communications delays may reduce the effectiveness of medical & family conferences Without a detailed daily plan, the risk of burnout may be greater Balancing work load and maintaining morale will be a challenge
Leadership style and crew dynamics are critical factors for mission success Interpersonal conflicts can negate technical ability Crew cohesion is required for efficiency, morale, and mission success
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For More Information
Stacys Twitter page:
http://twitter.com/martian1113
Stacys Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/martian1113
FMARS Crew 12 Website:
http://www.fmars2009.org/
http://www.youtube.com/user/FMARS2009Crew
MDRS Crew 7 Website:
http://desert.marssociety.org/fs02/crew07/
Cosmopif (French space website):
http://www.cosmopif.com/invites/invit_cusack_s.htm
Women of Space:
Cool Careers on theFinal Frontierby Laura S. Woodmansee
NASA Astronauts Twitter page:
http://twitter.com/nasa_astronauts
NASA Cooperative (Co-op) Education Program:http://coop.jsc.nasa.gov/
NASA Johnson Space Center:http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/home/index.html
The Mars Society Website:http://www.marssociety.org/
http://twitter.com/martian1113http://www.facebook.com/martian1113http://www.fmars2009.org/http://www.youtube.com/user/FMARS2009Crewhttp://desert.marssociety.org/fs02/crew07/http://www.cosmopif.com/invites/invit_cusack_s.htmhttp://twitter.com/martian1113http://coop.jsc.nasa.gov/http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/home/index.htmlhttp://www.marssociety.org/http://twitter.com/martian1113http://www.marssociety.org/http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/home/index.htmlhttp://coop.jsc.nasa.gov/http://twitter.com/martian1113http://twitter.com/martian1113http://www.cosmopif.com/invites/invit_cusack_s.htmhttp://desert.marssociety.org/fs02/crew07/http://www.youtube.com/user/FMARS2009Crewhttp://www.fmars2009.org/http://www.facebook.com/martian1113http://twitter.com/martian11138/9/2019 Del Mar College Seminar 2010
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References
All Mars analog photos taken by MDRS 7 and FMARS 12 Crewmembers:Stacy Cusack, Hilary Bowden, Kristine Ferrone, Charles Frankel, Christy Garvin, Vernon Kramer,Joseph Palaia, Pierre-Emmanuel Paulis, Derek Shannon, Brian Shiro, and Alain Souchier
Habitat locations map modified from: http://www.marsonearth.org/about/devon.html
Habitat floor plan from: https://shop.sae.org/technical/papers/2004-01-2369
Earth to Mars time delay from: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/
ISS, FCR-1, Apollo, flame in space, and EMU photos: http://www.nasa.gov/
ISS Flythrough Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4NqcP61prc
ISS Participants Map, Apollo & Altair lunar lander volumes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
Consumables usage information from ECLSS Weekly Consumables Status and VIPER(Vehicle Integrated Performance, Environments, and Resources) analyses
ISS Interesting Facts collected from the ULF-4 Training Team Joe Fronczek, EverettBolduc, Clark Smithson, Jessica Cornwall, Chris Savoie, Jeff Montgomery
http://www.marsonearth.org/about/devon.htmlhttps://shop.sae.org/technical/papers/2004-01-2369http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/http://www.nasa.gov/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4NqcP61prchttp://en.wikipedia.org/wikihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wikihttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4NqcP61prchttp://www.nasa.gov/http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/https://shop.sae.org/technical/papers/2004-01-2369https://shop.sae.org/technical/papers/2004-01-2369https://shop.sae.org/technical/papers/2004-01-2369https://shop.sae.org/technical/papers/2004-01-2369https://shop.sae.org/technical/papers/2004-01-2369http://www.marsonearth.org/about/devon.html