Resupply is critical, whether on Earth, in space or on another planet! During my mission onboard the International Space Station, we were resupplied at three month intervals by unmanned Progress resupply vehicles. They brought us food, water, oxygen, fuel, repair equipment, tools, research experiments and supplies.
Here on Devon Island, we are resupplied by Twin Otter aircraft. Just like the Progress, they bring food and other supplies, as well as repair and building materials, scientific equipment and experiments.
On Mars, regular resupply of the bases there will also be critical to operations.
Leroy Chiao
2 comments:
Dear Mr. Chiao,
Being an avid long-distance hiker, i understand the critical importance of the resupply. In the event of a resupply failure, what aspects of your NASA training would be applicable to survival in the arctic?
Dear Karl,
For either a space mission, or an expedition to the Arctic or other remote location, we plan for contingency scenarios such as a resupply failure. In such a case, we have reserve supplies of critical items and would ration these items until we were either resupplied, or until we reached a "bingo" point. If we ever reached the bingo point, we would have to evacuate the base, whether in space or the Arctic!
During my mission aboard the ISS, we had a food shortage during the first part of our flight, due to the actions of the previous crew (Expedition 9) and some kind of confusion between them and the ground team. We rationed food for about four weeks and then discovered that we were short on water as well. We received our resupply ship with just a few weeks to spare. If it had not arrived on time, we would have had to abandon the station.
Leroy Chiao
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