DEVELOPMENT OF THE MOBILE EXTREME ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH STATION (MEERS) ANALOGUE FOR USABILITY AND FIELD TESTING OF SPACE TECHNOLOGY

摘要

Spaceflight analog facilities, such as NASA's Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA), support behavioral- and engineering-focused research in preparation for future long-duration exploration missions. Although existing analogs each offer unique advantages, the majority are relatively expensive to operate and are stationary. In contrast, the Mobile Extreme Environment Research Station (MEERS), currently in development, is a space habitat analog that is mobile, flexible, and relatively low cost. Built from an Airstream trailer, MEERS will have the capacity to support up to 4 crewmembers for several weeks, and can be transported to almost any location to simulate different conditions, such as the Moon or Mars. With an interior designed to be flexible and modular, MEERS will also be an ideal testbed for a variety of different architectural or technology-focused studies. For example, we envision efforts focused on aeroponic food production, lighting, workstation layout, and the use of autonomous vehicles (e.g., air- or ground-based) for reconnaissance-type activities. This paper offers an in-depth look at the MEERS facility, with emphasis on the design characteristics that make it viable for a variety of different research applications, highlighting some of these applications.