AMADEE-24
FROM ARMENIA TO MARS
MARCH - APRIL 2024
AMADEE-24
ARMENIA has been selected as the host country for the Austrian Space Forum’s upcoming Mars analog simulation
The expedition will be carried out in a Martian terrestrial analog and directed by a dedicated Mission Support Center in Austria. A small field crew of highly trained analog astronauts with spacesuit simulators will conduct experiments preparing for future human and robotic Mars exploration missions.
Simulating Mars human-robotic surface activities in terrestrial analogs has evolved into an efficient tool for developing exploration
mission architectures. They facilitate to understand the advantages and limitations of future Human planetary missions, becoming an added value for the development of remote science operations, helping to understand the constraints and opportunities of the technology and workflows.
MARS & Ararat province
Are they so similar?
The test site in the province of ARARAT was selected for its geological and topographic similarity to Mars.
Image 1: The displayed resemblances, particularly in the rugged characteristics of certain areas and layering, suggests potential similarities in the geological processes contributing to the formation and erosion of these rock features.
(Mars photo: NASA Perserverance Rover, Mars Region Jezero Crater, Longitude: 77.40600745° Latitude: 18.45879835° (Sol 466))
Image 3: The shared features suggest a comparable geological context, which implies the similar underlying processes shaping these mountainous terrains.
(Mars photo: NASA Curiosity Rover, Mars Region Gale Crater, Base of Mount Sharp, Longitude: 137.36913767° Latitude: ":-4.673087126129127 ° (Sol 1144))
Image 2: A noteworthy similarity lies in the convergence patterns of the slopes, indicating a consistent geomorphic process at play in both locations. Additionally, the comparable steepness of the hillsides suggests uniform geological influences shaping these features, which offer insights into the dynamic forces shaping landscapes on Mars and Earth.
(Mars photo: NASA/Perserverance Rover, Image taken west to Belva Crater, Mars Region Jezero Crater Longitude: 77.36869069° Latitude:18.48280163° (Sol 784)
ARMENIA
Some History glimpse
Although making up only 1.5% of the USSR's population, Armenia contributed 30% of overall innovations and technologies for space solutions.
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Aleksandr Kemurdzhian - Lead constructor.of Lunakhod Tfirsfmoon rover. Designer of PrOP-M Mars rover, the first rovers landed on Mars in 1971, 26 years before NASA's Sojourner mission in 1997.
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Grigor Gurzadyan - creator of the "Orion" orbital telescopes (1971, 1973). 1973 - 1978 Director of the Garni Astronomy Laboratory, where more than 40 Soviet astronauts received their pre-flight training.
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Andronik Iosifyan - Founder and director of the Soviet Research Institute of Electromechanics, chief designer of the “Meteor” satellite series.
IN A NUTSHELL
14th mission in Armenia for one month organized by Austrian Space Forum with 6 Analog Astronauts.
The AMADEE-24 mission presents an excellent opportunity to:
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Study equipment behavior involving the simultaneous usage of instruments with the option of humans-in-the-loop (via two high-fidelity spacesuit simulators, portable system, etc.)
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Invest in the development of platforms for testing life-detection or geoscience techniques, robotic support tools for human missions and concepts for high situational awareness of remote support teams.
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Study the analog as a model region for its Martian counterparts.
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Serve as a catalyst to increase the visibility of planetary sciences and human exploration.
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Evolve the know-how of managing human missions to Mars deploying a realistic model for a Mission Support Center - Astronaut actions and the encompassing decision-making framework.
AMADEE
Advancing Space Exploration Through Research and Innovation
MARS SIMULATION
Flagship research program of the Austrian Space Forum, scheduled between 2018-2028. It is a framework for developing hardware, workflows, and the science behind future human-robotic planetary surface missions.
AMADEE is mission-driven to allow for a heuristic approach integrating engineering innovations, scientific progress, and operational experience: Every 2-3 years, a new field mission will build upon its predecessors.
In the realm of analog missions, OeWF has made its mark with remarkable achievements, notably through the AMADEE program. Within this groundbreaking initiative, the forum meticulously simulates the conditions of Mars and addresses the challenges associated with potential human habitation right here on Earth.
In Armenia AMADEE-24 is hosted by Armenia Aerospace Agency and Armenian Space Forum Foundation
