Operational evaluation of the EXEMSI project. Experimental Campaign for the European Manned Space Infrastructure.

Abstract

In general the EXEMSI project has proved to be very successful mission. It has demonstrated that it is indeed possible to perform a major and useful project in a short time and on a moderate budget. In addition to achieving the scientific objectives, this simulation project provided valuable experience in the training of members of chamber crew and ground control crew for their tasks. It covered all aspects of a mission from call for experiment proposals, crew selection and training, integration and testing of the facility and its equipment, to daily monitoring and managing of the mission, and finally post-isolation data collection and evaluation. These other activities were accomplished by a small team of experts in the astoundingly short time of 8 months. What was lacking in manpower, time and funds, was more than made up for by enthusiasm, expertise, team spirit, hard work and long hours well beyond the call of duty of all those involved. In addition to the specific and technological objectives reached, many lessons learned in this operation have been identified, which could help to improve future missions. The experience has shown pitfalls to be avoided in future mission, as well as points where some small increase in effort can make a considerable difference. With the prospect of long-term manned spaceflights looming in the near future and the ever increasing costs of such endeavors, the possibilities offered by running simulated missions on the ground should be seriously considered. Such simulations permit the study of scientific and operational aspects of a space mission prior to its actual implementation. A ground based simulation of an extended space mission may be run at a fraction of the cost of an in-orbit precursor mission of even one-week duration. However, careful planning of the simulation mission is required so that it may yield relevant information and useful experience. Lessons learned from the EXEMSI project should be taken into account in such planning. At the start clear goals should be formulated, that can provide clear guidelines for building up the infrastructure and defining the operational scenario. A long duration mission simulating the conditions on the Russian space station MIR could provide a valuable source of information and experience in preparing for the MIR '95 Mission.