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Youngstown navigator selected for space simulation mission

  • Published
  • By Mr. Eric M. White
  • 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio --  Capt. Casey Stedman, a navigator with the 773rd Airlift Squadron here, is about to enter a 993-square-foot geodesic dome where he will spend the next 4 months, all in the name of science.

The Air Force Reservist was selected for a spot as one of six crew members to participate in Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) mission two, beginning March 28. Stedman applied for the position and endured a rigorous selection process that included physical and mental assessments similar to those required of astronaut candidates.

"I was ecstatic, but very much in shock," said Stedman. "This is my first foray into the space program. I've done a lot of volunteer work and I've written articles for some collegiate newspapers, but I'm not employed by (NASA), at least until this one."

The habitat is located at an elevation of approximately 8000 feet in an abandoned quarry on the slope of Mauna Loa, a volcanic mountain in Hawaii. Modeling potential Mars mission habitats, the dome provides researchers an environment for long-term studies of varied issues associated with sending a manned mission to Mars. The first HI-SEAS mission focused primarily on food and nutrition, examining the psychological effects of offering astronauts prepared food versus the ingredients and equipment to prepare their own meals. The second mission focuses on the social, interpersonal and cognitive factors affecting team performance over time.

"A lot of this is not only for the tasks at hand," Stedman said, "but to make sure the skill sets don't atrophy and the personnel don't succumb to the closed volume isolation."

Stedman earned a bachelor's degree in geology from Central Washington University and is pursuing a master's degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide, but claims his academic credentials aren't as strong as the other crew members. He believes his training and experience in the Air Force largely contributed to his being selected as the commander for this HI-SEAS mission.

"The one thing that I have on my résumé that I'd probably say stands me apart," said Stedman, "is that my entire professional career as far as the Air Force is concerned, beyond being a combat aviator, is minutia. My very title here doesn't say navigator except on the aeronautical orders. My title now is flight commander, where I'm in charge of the junior officers."

After graduating from the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Central Washington University, Stedman served on active duty in the Air Force from 2004 to 2007. For most of that time he was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., as a navigator on the Boeing E-3 Sentry. He then transferred to the Reserve and Youngstown Air Reserve Station, where he serves as a navigator on the C-130H Hercules aircraft.

Serving in the military has given him some unique preparations for the HI-SEAS mission.
"It will be close quarters," Stedman said, "but in a certain sense, not much different than the deployed environment I've seen in service."

During the four-month mission, barring emergencies, the crew will only exit the habitat for extra vehicular activity, during which they will simulate Mars surface expeditions. During these outings, crew members will wear and test spacesuits and other tools designed as prototypes for future Mars missions. Their feedback will help NASA make decisions on development and acquisitions, outfitting future astronauts with field-tested gear.

The mission is led by the University of Hawaii at Manoa with support from team members at several other universities, and is largely funded by a $1.2 million grant from NASA.

The 910th Airlift Wing navigator, who devotes his career to soaring through the skies, has his eyes set on greater heights.

"Personally, I'm excited to take part in something," Stedman said, "to have the opportunity to make that break into the space program, to contribute something."

Stedman is slated for promotion to major this June, but will have to celebrate from his temporary home on the simulated red planet.