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Abstract: In 2007, the Mars Society conducted a 4-month simulated Mars exploration mission at the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station (FMARS) on Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada. In addition to an intense mission research profile, the team operated on the Martian sol, (39 minutes longer than the 24-hour Earth day), for over a month. Team members completed questionnaires on stress, coping, and mood on five occasions throughout the mission. Descriptive analyses indicated differences between individual coping styles across time as well as differences in how the genders coped. Stress increased for males while decreasing for females. Males consistently used more avoidant coping while females utilized task coping and social emotional coping. Males also demonstrated higher levels of excitement, tiredness, and loneliness. Simulations situated in environments characterized by prolonged real isolation and environmental challenges appear to provoke true demands for adaptation rather than temporary situational accommodation as has been evidenced by shorter simulations in laboratories or more benign environments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A categorized water usage study was undertaken at the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station on Devon Island, Nunavut in the High Canadian Arctic. This study was conducted as part of a long duration four-month Mars mission simulation during the summer of 2007. The study determined that the crew of seven averaged 82.07L/day over the expedition (standard deviation 22.58L/day). The study also incorporated a Mars Time Study phase which determined that an average of 12.12L/sol of water was required for each crewmember. Drinking, food preparation, hand/face, oral, dish wash, clothes wash, shower, shaving, cleaning, engineering, science, plant growth and medical water were each individually monitored throughout the detailed study phases. It was determined that implementing the monitoring program itself resulted in an approximate water savings of 1.5L/day per crewmember. The seven person crew averaged 202 distinct water draws a day (standard deviation 34) with high water use periods focusing around meal times. No statistically significant correlation was established between total water use and EVA or exercise duration. Study results suggest that current crew water utilization estimates for long duration planetary surface stays are more than two times greater than that required. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]