(Source: NASA)
NASA uses the ocean to help prepare for the moon
Trying to mimic the environment of the moon can be a difficult task, but NASA does what it can to adequately prepare for possible future missions. A popular training method is using the ocean as a testing ground for technology and astronauts.
The NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) mission is a prime example of NASA using a rough environment as testing grounds for equipment. NASA today completed a 10-day mission in which it sent three astronauts and an engineer to the ocean floor to test a number of different devices and technology off the Florida coast.
Using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Aquarius Underwater Laboratory, they tested "lunar exploration concepts and a suite of long-duration spaceflight medical objectives."
Why use the ocean?
"There is isolation, confinement to a small habitat and work area, the need to work together as a team, extravehicular activities, and no immediate rescue in the event of an emergency," said David Dinges, team leader of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute's Neurobehaviorial and Psychosocial Factors Team.
The stress and fatigue levels of people working aboard Aquarius can be monitored and studied - vital medical information for researchers and doctors to collect.
U.S. astronauts Nicholas Patrick and Richard Arnold, working alongside JAXA's Satoshi Furukawa, helped NASA prepare for a possible moon landing sometime in the future. More specifically, one of the activities of the NEEMO 13 crew included moon walks using various forms of technology.
A number of space programs have plans to visit or colonize the moon - something that gives space fans something to really look forward. Working aboard the Aquarius is one ideal way for NASA to get equipment and astronauts ready.
To learn more about Aquarius, visit the official NOAA Aquarius web site.
I briefly want to applaud the University of North Carolina at Wilmington - their research and engineering support for the Aquarius Underwater Laboratory is impressive.
"If you can find a PS3 anywhere in North America that's been on shelves for more than five minutes, I'll give you 1,200 bucks for it." -- SCEA President Jack Tretton
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