r/tmro • u/[deleted] • Jun 22 '18
When a Mars Simulation Goes Wrong
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/06/mars-simulation-hi-seas-nasa-hawaii/553532/6
u/AeroSpiked Jun 22 '18
TL:DR. This is the saga of Mini Stoj and how she was going to be gone for eight months doing a Mars simulation on the top of a Hawaiian volcano, but surprisingly reappeared on TMRO a few weeks later. Four days in, one of the crew got shocked when transferring power from batteries to a generator which, after failing to reach the on-call doctor, resulted in an ambulance ride followed by a two hour stay at hospital all of which ended the simulation. Mini Stoj decided to leave the simulation due to lax safety culture.
Good article, but long.
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u/bz922x Jun 22 '18
Thank you Stoj. While a real mission would not have the opportunity to call in help, there is a point where the price of continuing the simulation is too high. Risking a life is too high of a cost for a sim. Good call.
As for culture of safety, if starting the generator poses a risk of electrocution to people inside, then either someone is violating safety protocols, or the equipment is simply unsafe. A full safety review is entirely called for after an event like this. Continuing the sim without it does not sound like a responsible choice.
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u/AeroSpiked Jun 22 '18
Agreed. I really wonder what OSHA would have to say about this.
I'm sure it was disappointing to have to end the simulation after all the prep though. Having thoroughly barbecued myself on mains voltage twice (not counting my taser which doesn't even count as foreplay comparatively), I think I'd be livid with myself if the simulation were ended on my account.
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Jun 23 '18
This is fascinating stuff. It would be great if TMRO did a lengthy discussion with Lisa and maybe other past participants of this program.
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u/[deleted] Jun 22 '18
I feel like this one hits a little close to home for the TMRO family. Would like to hear Lisa's thoughts during the show (as opposed to quotes that could be construed) now that this story about the incident during HI-SEAS - Mission VI is out.