Analogs as a research platform: Systems-based optimization approach to facility selection

Abstract

NASA’s Artemis program and Moon to Mars objectives target development of a sustained human presence on the Moon. This drives the need for understanding what technologies and procedures are critical for long-duration surface habitation, in both a lunar and Martian environment. Earth-based analogs provide the ability to test mission components in comparable environments. However, there are a limited number of analog facilities, each with high-fidelity approximations of different features of the target environment. The limited availability of analog spots and associated high costs of testing make efficient use of analogs as a research platform critical to provide useful data for space exploration. Here, we present a review of analog platforms with a focus on surface analog facilities. We propose a framework to evaluate the merit and need for testing a given experiment in different analog facilities. Multiple criteria decision analysis techniques utilizing analytic hierarchy process calculations are used to evaluate the compatibility of each analog facility’s level of feature approximation with a given experiment or mission profile. 24 simulation features such as terrain, isolation, mission control, and available technology are used to evaluate facility approximation and analog needs of researchers. The experimental value, or merit, of a given experiment is quantified according to NASA’s targeted knowledge gaps as ranked in the Science Technology Mission Directorate’s shortfall list and the Human Research Program risk assessment, and the proposed technology/human readiness level increase resulting from the experiment. This selection methodology framework quantifies the merit of conducting a given experiment in various analog environments. It enables analog selection by researchers to target the best possible facility for their work, and enhances the ability of facilitators to select experiments that utilize the unique capabilities of their analog. The efficient use of analog resources via optimized experiment and facility selection will enable improved and rapid advancements to the technologies deemed most critical to test prior to in-situ integration.