By 
March 12th, 2024
Image credit: Austrian Space Forum (OeWF)
The 14th Mars Analog Mission of the Austrian Space Forum is starting today, carried out in cooperation with the Armenian Space Agency.
This analog test site is within the province of Ararat, chosen for its geological and topographic similarity to Mars and led by a dedicated Mission Support Center in Austria.
The Austrian Space Forum (OeWF) is a private space research institution.
Image credit: Austrian Space Forum (OeWF)
Carrying out their analog Mars duties: Crew Commander Anika Mehlis from Germany, Deputy Commander Robert Wild from Austria, Carmen Köhler from Germany, Iñigo Muñoz Elorza from Spain, Simone Paternostro from Italy and Thomas Wijnen from the Netherlands.
Image credit: Austrian Space Forum (OeWF)
Mission objectives
The AMADEE-24 mission has the following objectives:
— Explore instrument behavior while using instruments with the option of “humans-in-the-loop,” “humans as part of the workflow” (through two space suit prototypes with high realism, wearable systems, etc.).
— Developing platforms to test life detection or Earth science techniques and robotic support tools for astronautical missions. Creating concepts that enable high situational awareness for support teams that are not in the field.
— Investigating the analog as a model region for its Mars counterpart.
— Increasing the visibility of planetary science and human research activity.
— Develop the expertise to best manage astronaut missions to Mars: by providing a realistic model for a mission support center, planning the missions of analog astronauts*, and creating a comprehensive framework for decision making.
The AMADEE-24 analog mission can be viewed in a livestream presentation: Go to: https://www.youtube.com/live/gtokTylgR5g?si=Cc0KyRBGRGz4gIDo
Posted in Space News
