NEEMO
NEEMO ( NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations English ) is a research program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in the experiments to life on a space station in an underwater laboratory ( Aquarius ) NOAA be performed. The Aquarius here offers a similar environment as it provides the International Space Station ( ISS). So for example corresponds to the size of the Aquarius habitat is about the size of the Zvezda module of the ISS.
Aquarius is the world's only underwater scientific research facility of its kind
Aquarius
The underwater laboratory Aquarius was built in 1986 in Victoria (Texas ) and initially exposed to the U.S. Virgin Islands, but later to its current location in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, located off Key Largo (Florida Keys), implemented. The Laboratory - 13 m long and 6 m high, with an internal diameter of 2.7 m - is 5.6 km off the coast at a depth of 19 m in addition to large coral reefs. The habitat of Aquarius is located at a depth of 15 m and is fixed on a sunken on the base plate. The atmospheric pressure in the Aquarius is about 2.5 times higher than at sea level. Thus the pressure in the Aquarius to that of the surrounding water and the main entrance to the habitat corresponds to remain open to the sea.
Aquarius is a project of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA) and is conducted by the NOAA Undersea Research Centre ( NURC ) at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington as part of the NOAA Undersea Research Program ( NURP ).
The crew of the Aquarius consists of four NASA astronauts ( called Aquanauts ) and two technicians from the NURC, which are responsible for the technical operation of Aquarius. The crew remains in the Habitat for up to 18 days. Two other employees are the guards ( Watch Desk) Key Largo. Your task is to coordinate the tasks and processes in the habitat. The function of the guard force corresponds to the function of the Mission Control Center at NASA.
In the vicinity of the habitat are the two places to stay Pinnacle and gazebo. It involves air bells, to which the Aquanaut can stop in a diving operation without their own respirator.
Missions
NEEMO 1
Period 21 bis October 27, 2001
Crew:
NASA Aquanauts
- Mike Gernhardt
- Mike López- Alegría
- Bill Todd ( United Space Alliance at JSC )
- Dave Williams (Canadian Space Agency)
NURC -Habitat technician
- Mark Hulsbeck
- Ryan Snow
NEEMO 2
Period: 13th bis May 20, 2002
Crew:
NASA Aquanauts
- Mike Fincke
- Marc Reagan
- Dan Tani
- Sunita Williams
NURC -Habitat technician
- Thor Dunmire
- Ryan Snow
NEEMO 3
Period: 15th bis July 21, 2002
Crew:
NASA Aquanauts
- Greg Chamitoff
- Jonathan Dory ( SPACEHAB Inc., for Habitability and Environmental Factors Office at NASA )
- Danny Olivas
- Jeff Williams
NURC -Habitat technician
- Byron Croker
- Michael Smith
NEEMO 4
Period 23 bis September 27, 2002
Crew:
NASA Aquanauts
- Sean Paul Hill
- Scott Kelly
- Jessica Meir
- Rex Walheim
NURC -Habitat technician
- James Talacek
- Ryan Snow
NEEMO 5
Period: 16th bis June 29, 2003
Crew:
NASA Aquanauts
- Clayton Anderson
- Emma Hwang
- Garrett Reisman
- Peggy Whitson
NURC -Habitat technician
- James Talacek
- Ryan Snow
The aim of the mission was similar to those exploring the living conditions in a space station in orbit, as well as the development of methods and devices to communicate over long distances between astronauts during an outboard activity with the space station. Other tasks related to the team building, interpersonal, and leadership behavior.
During the stay in weightlessness can cause various physical and psychological changes. The crew of NEEMO 5 undertook to twelve experiments and explored while the effect on sleep and the immune system and the growth of bacteria. In addition, wireless medical monitoring and control instruments have been tested and nutritional studies carried out.
Furthermore, a device for future outboard activities tested in space with the nitrogen bubbles in the blood can be detected in time and can warn of decompression sickness.
NEEMO 6
Period: 12th bis July 21, 2004
Crew:
NASA Aquanauts
- John Herrington
- Nicholas Patrick
- Doug Wheelock
- Tara Ruttley
NURC -Habitat technician
- Craig Cooper
- Joseph March
The ten -day mission dedicated to biomedical research. Biomedical Division of the Johnson Space Center explored during this mission, the effects of weightlessness on human physiology. To study the suitability of various medical equipment for space are detected.
Other objectives of NEEMO 6 were the crew of a real mission experience to stay in an extreme environment and thus prepare for future space flights. Thus, of the Aquanauts structures similar to those of the ISS, built under water.
NEEMO 7
Period 11 bis October 21, 2004
Crew: NASA Aquanauts
- Bob Thirsk
- Cady Coleman
- Mike Barratt
- Craig McKinley
NURC -Habitat technician
- Craig Cooper
- Joe March
The aim of this mission was to test medical and surgical remote diagnosis and remote robotic technologies in an extreme environment. The tests were needed for future, longer space flights ( scheduled flights to the Moon and Mars) and for the stay on the ISS.
NEEMO 8
Period: 20th to 22 April 2005
Crew:
NASA Aquanauts
- Michael Gernhardt
- John Olivas
- Scott Kelly
- Monika Schultz
NURC -Habitat technician
- Craig Cooper
- Joe March
NEEMO 9
Period: 3rd bis April 20, 2006
Crew:
NASA Aquanauts
- Dave Williams
- Nicole Stott
- Ron Garan
- Tim Broderick
NURC -Habitat technician
- Jim Buckley
- Ross Hein
During this mission, medical procedures for remote diagnosis, remote monitoring and remote surgery were tested. These methods are needed for future flights to the moon or Mars or even in emergencies on the ISS. In addition, the Aquanauts trips took on the seabed. They used to simulate sophisticated breathing helmets and weights to the pull of the moon.
NEEMO 10
Period 22 until 28 July 2006
Crew:
NASA Aquanauts
- Koichi Wakata
- Drew Feustel
- Karen Nyberg
- Karen Kohanowich
NURC -Habitat technician
- Mark Hulsbeck
- Dominic Landucci
Object of this mission was to prepare for future flights to the moon and Mars. It approaches were considered for movement, simulating with weighted backpacks the attraction of the moon or Mars. In addition, communication techniques, and the use and navigation of remote-controlled robots on the moon's surface were examined.
NEEMO 11
Period: 16th bis September 22, 2006
Crew:
NASA Aquanauts
- Sandra Magnus
- Timothy Kopra
- TJ Creamer
- Robert Behnken
NURC -Habitat technician
- Roger Garcia
- Larry Ward
The Aquanauts tested under water mobility with various space suits and imitated while the Moon attraction with additional weights. In addition, new communication and navigation techniques were tested. Other tasks were to review of methods for collecting geological samples, and the construction and the use of remote-controlled robots.
NEEMO 12
Period 7 bis May 17, 2007
Crew:
NASA Aquanauts
- Heidemarie Stefanyshyn - Piper
- Jose Hernandez
- Josef Schmid
- Timothy Broderick
NURC -Habitat technician
- James Talacek
- Dominic Landucci
NEEMO 13
Period 6 bis August 15, 2007
Crew:
NASA Aquanauts
- Nicholas Patrick
- Richard Arnold
- Satoshi Furukawa
- Christopher Gerty
NURC -Habitat technician
- Jim Buckley
- Larry Ward
NEEMO 14
Period 10 bis May 24, 2010
Crew:
NASA Aquanauts
- Chris Austin Hadfield
- Henry Thomas Marshburn
- Underwater -Ing. Andrew Abercromby
- Scientist Steve Chappell
Aquarius Reef Base support crew:
- James Talacek
- Nate Bender
- Bill Todd, Mission Director
NEEMO 15
Period: 20th bis October 26, 2011
Crew:
NASA Aquanauts
- Shannon Walker; NASA; commander
- Takuya Onishi; JAXA
- David Saint -Jacques; CSA
- Steve Squyres ( Cornell University ) ( University of North Carolina, Wilmington ), scientific principal investigator for the Mars Exploration Rover Project.
Aquarius Reef Base support crew
- James Talacek
- Nate Bender
Talacek and Bender (both University of North Carolina, Wilmington ) are professional Aquanauts.
In Deep Worker submarine ( Moon & asteroid landing simulation):
- Stanley Love
- Richard Arnold
- Michael Gernhardt
Capcom
- Jeremy Hansen ( CSA)
- Jeanette Epps (NASA)
During the mission, the team performed many undersea "moon walks " through to test concepts for future lunar exploration and to test the new navigation and communication equipment.
NEEMO 16
Period: Beginning June 11, 2012
Crew:
NASA Aquanauts
- Dorothy Metcalf - Linde Burger; NASA; commander
- Kimiya Yui; JAXA
- Timothy Peake; British Army Air Corps Major; ESA
- Steve Squyres ( Cornell University ) ( University of North Carolina, Wilmington ), scientific principal investigator for the Mars Exploration Rover Project.