Red Dawn 2008
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Revision as of 16:18, 5 December 2008 by Rubberchickenben (Talk | contribs)
| Mission Patch Not Available | |
| 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 |
| |
The 2008 Mission to Mars, or Mission Red Dawn, was the first mission run using the Engine Closet and the new, smaller Hotlab. Other new things used on this mission included:
- A new version of the Orbit software implementing solid rocket boosters (for terrestrial liftoff) and a reusable parachute (for atmospheric reentry).
- A new, more comfortable EVA suit.
Experiments
Experiments were performed on the following subjects:
- how does tiredness affect mental ability?
- how do different genres of music affect mental ability and heart rate?
- how do distracting stimuli affect mental ability?
- how have thirty years on the Martian surface affected the Viking I lander?
Additionally, due to an emergeny situation inspired by the loss of 30% of the Habitat's wash-water stores, an attempt was made to build a Sabatier reactor to produce additional water from the Martian atmosphere. This experiment was a partial success, as water was produced, but could not be retrieved due to extreme Martian weather.
Data from these experiments is still being processed, and will be released once conclusions have been drawn.
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.
