The experiments

Terrain modelling by Synthetic Aperture Radar - Cyril's experiment

As part of his thesis on the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Cyril Wain will carry out an imaging campaign. SAR is a form of radar that is used to create 2D images or to perform 3D reconstructions of objects or landscapes. The principle of SAR is that it uses its motion to obtain radar images with very high resolution. This type of radar is usually shipped on airplanes or satellites. The main advantage of SAR is that, unlike optical sensors, it is not sensitive to weather conditions. Indeed, the frequency band used being that of the microwaves, the waves easily cross the clouds and the rain. This kind of tool could therefore be very useful in studying the relief of a planet whose weather conditions (clouds, stormy rains, sandstorms, etc.) would not allow observation via optical sensors. The imaging campaign would allow Cyril to test his image reconstruction algorithm in real conditions.

Assessment of metabolic changes due to alterations in physical activity and nutrition - Jean's experiment

Mars colonization is a technological challenge but also a physical challenge for the future marstronautes.Microgravity, environment and nutrition changes will have a big impact on the crews’ health. My goal is to develop a protocol for the monitoring of essential parameters of the health and metabolism of the crew members. The data collected will help advise the astronauts on food intake, physical activity and detect early signs of diseases.

Study of the survival of human flora bacteria as well as efficacy of several antibiotics under Martian environmental conditions - Audrey's experiment

When humans will colonize Mars, they will not come alone: the microorganisms of the intestinal, oral, cutaneous flora… will accompany them. It is therefore essential to predict what type of microorganisms in these floras would be able to survive and colonize Mars.

As a bacteriologist, Audrey Comein will focus on studying the survival and growth capacity of bacteria collected on the crew and exposed to the environmental conditions found on the MDRS site. These harvested bacteria will be identified by proteomic analysis. The exposed bacteria will be compared directly to their unexposed analogues based on CFUs (Colony-Forming-Units) analysis. This analysis will allow us to determine the number of bacteria per milliliter of sample for each bacteria collected. Comparison of this value between exposed and non-exposed bacteria will reveal what types of bacteria in the human flora could potentially colonize Mars.

If some of our bacteria can survive on Mars, they could potentially cause infections in the human colony. Therefore, the question to be asked is: which antibiotics would remain sufficiently functional under such conditions?

To answer this question, Audrey will evaluate the efficacy of antibiotics from different classes exposed to environmental conditions and compare it to the same unexposed antibiotics. Antibiotics efficacy will be estimated based on the minimum concentration of antibiotics required to inhibit bacterial growth: the lower this concentration, the more effective antibiotics are. Thanks to this experiment, we will know which antibiotics to bring to Mars with us.

Study of the effect of biofertilizers on the germination rate of edible plants of interest in a Martian soil substrate - Cheyenne's experiment

To analyze the growth of edible plants, there are a lot of parameters that we could be interested in : biotics factors (use of biofertilizers, impact of no soil fauna on plant development and decomposition of organic matter) and abiotic factors (low temperatures and pressure, reduced oxygen, perchlorate-rich soil as on Mars, growth in “rocky soil” sampled in the field). But to have a precise goal and due to the total absence of fauna in the Martian soil, I chose to focus my research on the use of biofertilizers (composed of microorganisms) on the germination rate of edible plant species of interest, such as Solanum tuberosum (potato) (good nutritional intake of starch and fiber) or alfalfa and tomato. Indeed, the number of seeds available at the start of space missions must be profitable and losses must be avoided as much as possible.

The aim of the experiment will be to analyze how, in a Mars station, a closed environment like the MDRS station and with a Martian regolith – like substrate, we can, thanks to biofertilizers in small quantities, fill the caloric intake of a crew. If time and space at the station allow it, I will also conduct experiments concerning biotic and / or abiotic variables mentioned above.

Sleeping Hypnosis experiment - Julien's experiment

Based on a previous experimentation at the MDRS, we learned that the sleep quality of an astronomer in the station is not as good as at home. Therefore, I would like to see if some hypnosis technique as we use in medicine before falling asleep would help to have a deeper and better sleep. In that way, it would help astronomers to have all the energy they will need for the coming days !

Evaluate different living conditions in the breeding of insects in order to integrate them into the astronauts’ diet - Sirga's experiment

I would like to conduct an experiment that would contribute to improving the nutritional qualities of a future crew of astronauts through an alternative food solution with a good yield for a minimum of space and energy used by using insects. There are very interesting contrary to the other living beings from different points of view: quantity of water needed, necessary space and emission of greenhouse gases. But the real asset of this source is its high capacity of food conversion. In the experiment I would like to study the viability and yield rate of 3 insect species such as species of the orthoptera, beetle and lepidopteran groups, under the living conditions of the Martian simulation station in comparison with a terrestrial control model.

Julie's experiment

Imagine being on a mission on Mars, suffering from an accident or trauma following an EVA that would require surgery and prevent your repatriation to the Earth… Wouldn’t it be incredible to be able to find a device to treat the problem on the spot and without the need of a surgeon ? It is exactly what I would like to explore at the MDRS during this mission. In this way, the conquest of space could guard against the fracture risks that could force the astronaut to die in this atypical environment, by simply carrying a low-cost fixator that remains accessible, fast and easily achievable by any astronaut without surgical training.

Ignacio's Experiment

3D printing is a relatively new technology with endless possibilities! Easily scalable and transportable, future marstronauts will undoubtedly bring multiple 3D printers to our sister planet. My experiment will consist of 3D printing scaffolds in bio-ink to seed stem cells and then perform mechanical stress-strain tests on the resulting micro-architecture.