NASA will send two astronauts, an undersea engineer and a scientist into the ocean to test exploration concepts and learn more about working in an unforgiving, treacherous environment.
This is NASA’s 14th expedition into the ocean depths off Florida’s east coast. During the 14-day mission, which begins on May 10, the NEEMO 14 crew will live aboard the underwater laboratory Aquarius, and venture out on simulated spacewalks.
The ocean simulates aspects of another planet’s surface and provides an ideal low-gravity environment. Last October, another team of aquanauts set the stage for NEEMO 14 by placing mockups of a lander, rover and small crane that mimic a robotic arm.
The crew is expected to simulate the removal of a mockup of the Lunar Electric Rover from the lander, retrieve payloads from the lander and the ocean flow, and the transfer of an incapacitated astronaut from the ocean floor to the deck of the craft.
While inside Aquarius, the crew will perform life science experiments focused on human behavior, performance and physiology.
