Greenwich Student Assists NASA Scientists With Mars 2020 Research

Press release from The University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research:

September 4, 2020

Piper Gilbert, a rising senior at Sacred Heart Greenwich in Greenwich CT, has been selected for the prestigious Student Enhancement in Earth and Space Science (SEES) summer internship hosted by The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Space Research. This nationally competitive program sponsored by NASA’s Texas Space Grant Consortium selects students to conduct authentic research using NASA data. Piper is conducting investigations as part of the Mars Exploration team. Here is an account in her own words:

“As a part of this team, I researched and designed the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) for our conceptual Mars Base, which encompasses heating, cooling, ventilation, pressurization, food, water, waste management, and radiation protection. I felt strongly about this area of the habitat as it acts as an extension of my ongoing science research project that focuses on growing plants in simulated Mars regolith. I learned so much about new concepts, including HVAC and radiation protection for space habitats, and my teammates’ areas of study. To work with and meet so many talented individuals was an amazing experience, and I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity.”

Piper worked with NASA scientists Dr. Humboldt Mandell, NASA subject matter expert on Mars Exploration, and Adam Nokes, professor at The University of Texas at Austin. NASA is committed to the human exploration of Mars. Many of the technologies are already in place, and the rocket boosters and some of the spacecraft required are currently being built. The small nuclear reactors required to provide the necessary power have been designed and tested by the Department of
Energy. But, prior to sending humans to Mars, there needs to be the infrastructure on the planet surface that is necessary to sustain the first crews to visit. This includes power, habitation, water, food, health maintenance, mobility (space suits and rovers), emergency care, and scientific support functions. Using engineering design principles, the SEES team designed a
Mars village that will allow people to live and work productively and safely for up to 1000 days on the Mars surface. CAD drawings provided detailed images for the team’s planned habitat.
SEES high school interns work with scientists and engineers to conduct authentic research using NASA data and analysis tools. Teams are organized around an aerospace or space science theme drawn from NASA’s diverse engineering and scientific research programs. SEES sponsored several team challenges this summer, including designing Mars habitats, exploring lunar environments, tracing COVID-19 using NASA technologies, and examining the relationship of observed
mosquito habitats to land cover and environmental data obtained from satellites.

The SEES internship provides an outlet for the excitement many students feel about Earth and space science. Interns are offered a unique opportunity to work with professional scientists and engineers at the cutting edge of NASA science, experience being part of a science team, and explore STEM career options firsthand.

The STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) project is supported by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) cooperative agreements NNX16AB89A to the University of Texas Austin for the STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES), and NNX16AE28A to the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) for the NASA Earth Science Education Collaborative
(NESEC) for the SEES Mosquito Mappers Team.

This press release was produced by The University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research. The views expressed here are the author's own.