Engineering
Martian GPS
The classical way to move around the Martian surface is by taking advantage of the communication provided by the different satellites on Mars, which is how the different Mars rovers have been operated in the past. These connections are not constant and could be jeopardized in case of a satellite failure. At the MDRS, we will explore two different options to navigate around the martian dessert and find our way around the planet. One, by using the night sky, where we will identify reference stars that can help us navigate the same way we do on Earth with Polaris. Second, by building a small GPS network constellation using CubeSats. Given the lower gravity on Mars and its thin atmosphere, little fuel would be necessary to put a set of CubeSats in orbit and start building the constellation. We will focus on determining the requirements to building such a network, for instance, how many CubeSats satellites would be needed and how should they be deployed to ensure full coverage of a large vicinity of our Mars Base Camp.
Astronomy
Space Weather, monitoring the Sun activity from Mars
Solar radiation has a significant impact on communication satellites and our bodies. Here on Earth, the atmosphere and magnetic field protect us, but on Mars, its effects are much greater, requiring us to wear space suits during extravehicular activities. During our stay at the MDRS, we will observe the Sun using one of the telescopes available, tracking the evolution of sunspots and possible solar flares, correlating this data with observations from SoHO and other satellites.
Outreach and communication
Spacetatoullie: Designing a 24-Hour Space Menu for Astronaut Health and Performance
In collaboration with the Space Faculty in Singapore and the winners of their 17th International Space Challenge, we explored the design of a 24-hour menu for astronauts living in space. This initiative investigates how astronauts maintain a balanced diet in microgravity, how food is prepared for space consumption, and the innovative methods used to package it for safe transport. This research evaluates nutritional science, space food logistics, and the critical role of a well-balanced diet in sustaining health and performance in extreme environments.
