Red Dawn 2008

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Red Dawn 2008
Year 2007-08
Mission Destination Mars
Mission Dates 26-02-2008 to 3-01-08
Habitat Commander Nevin Hotson
Mission Control Commander N/A
Simulator Commander N/A
Nocrew.jpg


The 2008 Mission to Mars, or Mission Red Dawn, was the first mission run using the Engineering Closet and the new, smaller Hotlab. Other changes for this mission included:

  • A new version of the Orbit software implementing solid rocket boosters (SRBs) for terrestrial liftoff and a reusable parachute for atmospheric reentry.
  • A new, more comfortable EVA suit.

Experiments

Experiments were performed on the following subjects:

  • effects of fatigue on mental ability
  • effects of music on mental ability and heart rate
  • effects of distracting stimuli on mental ability
  • effects of longterm exposure to the Martian environment on the Viking I lander

Additionally, due to the emergency situation of the loss of 30% of the Habitat's water stores, an attempt was made to build a Sabatier reactor to produce additional water using the Martian atmosphere. This experiment was a partial success, as water was produced but could not be retrieved due to extreme weather conditions.


Notable Events

  • CJOH showed up without RSVPing several hours before launch, and some of the preparations were featured in a news segment on 26 February.
  • Launch was only two hours behind schedule, which is believed to be a record for recent OCESS missions.
  • All power to the main engines was briefly lost during the initial insertion to Earth orbit; however, the auxiliary power bus functioned properly, and a safe orbit was achieved.
  • A total of five scheduled EVAs were performed, as well as several additional EVAs to repair damage and set up the Sabatier reactor.
  • A powerful storm on the last night briefly incapacitated Cdr Hotson and Lt Rouble while they were on EVA to collect the water produced by the Sabatier reactor; however, Lt Cdr Xing was able to retrieve them safely.
  • Landing at the OCESS facilities in Ottawa was at approximately 1415 EST; initial reentry was over Chicago, which was judged not to be an optimal landing site.

See Also