Upcoming Course

OVERVIEW

Are you interested in the challenges of human spaceflight? How aerospace medicine experts practice in extreme environments?Would you like to learn how to apply your engineering skills to solve challenges associated with human spaceflight? Want to learn hands-on medical skills, and earn CPR and Wilderness First Aid certifications, from actual physicians?

The University of Colorado Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences and the CU Anschutz Department of Emergency Medicine are excited to bring you a one-of-a-kind course at the intersection of aerospace engineering, human physiology, spaceflight operations, and medicine.

Highlights of the course include:

• One week spent living in simulation at an analogue Mars Habitat in the Utah desert
• Lectures from outstanding faculty in both Aerospace Engineering and Emergency Medicine
• Obtaining certification in CPR and Wilderness First Aid
• Practice in operational, simulated high-stress environments
• Hands-on medical scenarios taught by physicians during simulated extravehicular activities

Dates:

The course will be held during Spring Semester on Tuesday evenings. We will start on January 14, and have sessions on most Tuesday evenings until Spring Break. Spring Break (March 21-28, 2020) will be the field component of the course. On Saturday, March 21, we will depart for Utah and be in simulation until Saturday, March 28. During the simulation portion of the course, we will be living and sleeping in the field. Students enrolled in the 5519 section will participate in a group design project geared toward integrating engineering and medicine for extreme environments. To get credit, you must be present and actively participate in the entire field component of the course.

Mars Desert Research Station:

The field component of the course will be held at the Mars Desert Research Station outside of Hanksville, UT. The purpose of this simulation is to learn about space and wilderness medicine in the context of a simulated Mars mission. As a result, there will be a significant component of experiential learning.

Living in the Field:

While in the field, students will be camping in tents and preparing food in a field kitchen in groups. Weather in the area in March can be incredibly variable with highs normally in the 60s and lows at night near or below freezing.   Precipitation is unlikely (though we have had a weeks of all rain), but one should always be prepared. The wind in the desert can be strong and continuous with significant gusting. Teaching and field simulation will occur rain or shine, cold or not, windy or still.

The key to staying comfortable in these spring time variable conditions is layers. Lots of loose layers that fit over one another.   A synthetic or wool base layer, several layers of warmer, insulating material, and a windproof/waterproof outer layer with a hood are all essential.  Having shoes or boots that will deal with moisture and cold, as well as warm synthetic or wool socks and a warm ski-type hat, are also all important.  You will want a sleeping bag rated to 20 degrees and a good sleeping pad (not a yoga mat).

You can find a detailed equipment list here. You will be expected to bring these items, borrow from CU Anschutz equipment (for an additional fee – limited quantities available), or share with another participant in the class. We will facilitate securing equipment, but everyone must have all gear prior to the beginning of the field component.

During simulation, we will function as a semi-autonomous Mars crew, and to the extent possible, simulate conditions on Mars. This means limited outside communication with Earth(there is generally no cell phone service or internet) and rationing consumable resources such as power, fuel, and water. This is part of the fun and challenge of the simulation.

We eat foods that are shelf stable (e.g. prepackaged, freeze-dried, etc.), which further simulates the kind of food eaten in austere environments. The food supplied may not accommodate specific diets (other than vegetarian). Participants with dietary restrictions should discuss with instructors prior to enrolling.

Lab Fee: $1650:

The lab fee is required to cover the use of the MDRS space, certifications, food, water, shared camping equipment, field simulation equipment, and the project component of the course.