Science Report
Date: December 14, 2012
Written by: Paula Crock
Helmet Visibility Study
Summary: I collected data for my limited visibility study today in the GreenHab (due to wet conditions outside) with assistance from Commander Reynolds. I was able to get data for all of the filters I have with me. I will be repeating the experiment in the Hab lab tonight, under lower light conditions, to get a complementary data set. I was not able to reach complete reduction in visibility with the set of filters I have with me; my hope is that under lower ambient light conditions in the lab I will reach that level of visibility reduction.
Objectives: Collect data on limited visor visibility conditions for a range of ND and diffusion filters.
Results: Completed data set at one light condition. I expect to get another set at a reduced light condition tonight.
Lessons learned: Some of the tasks I selected to use for my test lend themselves well to tactile solutions but I want to test only visibility impact on tasks; future tests should change the tasks to ones that don’t have a tactile solution.
Plan forward: Collect second set of data tonight.
Simulation Suit Temperature Logger Prototype
Summary: I took the prototype on EVA A yesterday morning, with the device secured in my EVA suit pocket and the wires run from the device up through the front of my helmet and left loose inside my helmet. This way I was able to pull the temperature probe out of the helmet periodically to collect air temperature data. This was a walking EVA.
Objectives: Collect third data set, preferably under different thermal conditions than first two data sets.
Results: ~ 2 hours’ worth of data that look reasonable. Detailed analysis and correlation with EVA activities underway.
Lessons learned: Device works properly and battery life is > 3 hours. Device is unobtrusive and adds negligible weight.
Plan forward: Correlate data with EVA activities; hand off results and observations to Kent Nebergall for his study in February.