Red Dawn 2008
From OCE Space Simulation
| 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 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.
