The following are current research projects being conducted by the SATC, individual members, or SATC affiliates.:
It is important to test the performance of architectural materials in the environments in which they will be used, to ensure the safety and reliability of structures using those materials. Though this is a normal part of the accreditation procedure for new terrestrial building materials, it is of particular importance for structures in extreme environments, where material failure can be much more costly in terms of human safety and mission success. In addition, extrapolating and understanding material performance in a hostile environment like space can give a greater understanding for material performance on terrestrial structures as well. The BEAMS (Behavior and Evaluation of Architectural Materials in Space) project is a testbed mission for short-term and long-term testing of architectural materials in the space environment on the Space Shuttle and the Space Station, using samples and specimens ranging from traditional terrestrial building materials to advanced aerospace building materials.
Academic institutions, researchers, aerospace industry, construction materials makers / suppliers are encouraged to participate in this important endeavor. Research plans and ground / flight test specifications and parameters are available. Information on funding sources and how to provide funding is also available.
Contacts:
Project information:
BEAMS is an Astrocourier project.
See the explormarsnow.org website, that recently won a science award for best site. The goal of this project is to inspire learning about the space sciences and technology through a web-based Mars simulator. Using ultra realism in site content and graphics, a plausible concept for near future Mars missions is presented, drawing upon the depth of knowledge from experts around the world. Visitors can explore the Mars Base Habitat and Rover. As they explore, visitors are given many opportunities to learn about the science & technology underlying the design of these artifacts as well as the hostile physical environment of Mars itself.
The length of the Martian sol is close enough to that of the Earth day to serve as a useful regulator of the diurnal rhythms of humans on Mars, as well as other species we will bring with us. This is in stark contrast to the Moon's 29-day day-night cycle, which is far too long to serve such a purpose. Also, having an axial tilt similar to Earth's, Mars experiences seasonal changes on approximately the same scale, albeit on a much lower end of the scale. This is a factor that must be addressed in system design, and will also affect human populations in Mars, both operationally and--eventually--culturally.
More than 40 schemes for dividing the Martian sol and more than 80 systems for organizing the Martian year have been proposed since 1880. What are the relative merits of these ideas, and how can these be measured? A tool that has been developed over the past five years is the Martian Time Survey. All are invited to participate.
