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Teamwork is vital to successful missions. Over the years, NASA has
had many successful missions, and a few that have failed. In regard to NASA's Mars missions,
project manager Tim Flores (Ames Research Center) had this to say, "One fundamental element
distinguished successful missions from the failed missions: teamwork."
Mr. Flores also had this to say, "Without a doubt, sound science and technical proficiency
are crucial to a project. But an examination of the Mars missions tells us that we can't
afford to overlook the relationships between the people doing the work."
To succeed in Space Station Alpha, you must form a team of people who are able to do two
things well: 1) work together, and 2) work independently on team tasks. Working together
will require listening, contributing to team discussions, sharing thoughts, communicating
and attention to details. Working independently will be important because your team will be
relying on you for certain tasks which only you will have to do. For instance, one of you must
work with numbers while another works on the graph. You will both have to finish on time.
- On mission day, your mathematical and communication skills will be put to the test.
Practice the mathematical procedures needed for the mission. Make sure you are familiar
with concepts such as multiplication, and the use of graphs and tables.
- Communication skills include the ability to communicate under pressure using both
writing and speaking.
- Managing the crisis requires teamwork, planning, and clear-headed problem-solving
abilities, especially in high-pressure, emergency situations.
How to Form a Team
For e-Mission: Space Station Alpha, your class will need to form teams to work on the following
tasks:
- Crisis Management experts are responsible for analyzing the situation on the space
station as the data from other teams is reported. These experts must formulate action
plans based on this data and report these plans to Mission Control.
- Life Support experts monitor the concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the
space station. This team will use this information to predict dangerous atmospheric
conditions of lower than normal oxygen and higher than Normal carbon dioxide. The Life Support Team
also makes recommendations regarding what the astronauts can do in case of life-threatening
changes in the atmosphere inside the space station.
- Radiation experts track radiation levels on board the space station using data from
two Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counters (TEPC). TEPC 1 is portable; astronauts take
the TEPC 1 with them as they work to solve problems caused by the solar storm to monitor
the radiation from the sun. TEPC 2 is stationary and is located in the Destiny module.
The Radiation Team monitors the astronauts’ potential radiation dose rates and makes
recommendations to Mission Control regarding what the astronauts can do to protect themselves
from the harmful effects of radiation.
- Communication experts gather all team reports and communicate pertinent results to
Mission Control every 5 minutes. The Communications Team is also responsible for making
sure Mission Control receives the information it needs to assist the astronauts.
Get Prepared!
- Put Together Your Team. Go to Team Building to read an interview with Dr. Edie Alberts, an
internationally renowned, team-building consultant.
- Decide on Your Team's Guidelines. Go to Team Rules to read Dr. Alberts' list of team rules.
Discuss and select five of Dr. Alberts' team rules to help guide your team.
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