Commander Report
01/15/2013
Angelo Vermeulen
We had our first EVA and that basically took up a major part of crew time today. The EVA crew
of Oleg Abramov, EVA team leader, Kate Greene, navigator & stenographer, and Angelo
Vermeulen, scientist. As the first excursion of Crew 122’s MDRS mission, this pedestrian EVA was designed to test equipment and protocols, to explore nearby rock formations, and to collect soil samples for microbiological analysis. We planned to visit two nearby waypoints of scientific
interest logged by previous crews, collecting samples of soil along the way. The estimated round-
trip distance was 2.5 km. As expected, this first EVA required about an hour of equipment
preparation before we were ready to enter the airlock. We did not have any notable equipment
problems with the three suits, packs, and helmets. Soil samples for bacterial analysis were taken at the three locations with different soil structures. Care was taken to use sterilized equipment
and avoid cross-contamination. After waypoint 2, we took a curved route back to the habitat, taking photos and climbing small hills and stepping over frozen creeks. The entire crew was very excited
about this first EVA, and it proved to be a good morale booster.
All crew members continued work on their personal research projects. Yajaira Sierra-Sastre has been
processing food samples using the stomacher and plating. Oleg Abramov did more temperature sensor testing. Kate Greene wrote an explainer to familiariz the crew with cognitive assessment tests for
sleep and food studies. Sian Proctor did more documentation, interviews and outreach. And myself, I did more gardening work in the GreenHab. Some of the plants – such as kale, collards, and chards – are in good shape and we’ll be able to harvest some for one of our upcoming cooking days.
We also did more research specifically for HI-SEAS. Odorant ID testing was done throughout the day, but some crew members still have to do their testing later in the night, as well as patency testing. This is because of the EVA activities that took up quite some time (preparations, actual
EVA, and debriefing). We are figuring out how to weigh and photograph the different components of
our meals. Up to this point it seems still too time-consuming, with the added disadvantages that
he crew has to wait a long time before eating and the meals get cold. We also received a list with
discussion topics for the HI-SEAS mission from Kim Binsted. The goal is to tackle one question a day. Today we discussed what issues back on ‘Earth’ we would find upsetting or distracting, potentially in such a way that we would leave the mission.
The usual maintenance chores were done by the crew members that stayed in the hab during EVA. Our
water supply got refilled, and toilet clogging issues seemed somewhat less burdensome today,
possibly due to the slightly warmer weather during daytime.
Yesterday we started an exercise routine in which a few crew members commence the day with a Tae Bo
session down in the lab. This is being perceived as very positive and a good way to keep fit and
boost morale.
Two shipments arrived today: (1) stomacher bags from Nelson-Jameson for the microbiology studies,
and (2) a package for Eric Watkins. However Mr. Watkins is not part of our crew and the package has
to be shipped back to Hollow Mountain.
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CommanderCheckIn Report
01/15/2013
Angelo Vermeulen
Crew Physical Health:
All are well.
Eva Depart Time:
13:59
Eva Return Time:
15:01
Narrative Of Field Mission Results:
First EVA for our crew, sampling of soil for bacteriological studies.
Hab Maint:
Loft tank was filled three times. Toilet showed less clogging than yesterday. Trailer tank got a refill and a large quantity of water was transferred to the static tank. Checked propane and diesel levels. EVA assistance and hab comms. We only have one hab-based thermometer; other thermometers could not be found yet.
Rep Sched:
-
Tomorrow Plan:
(1) Second EVA day: 3 crew members that stayed in the hab today, focus on using the EVA suits, without ATV, Simon Engler is coordinating the EVA. (2) HI-SEAS research: HI-SEAS discussion topics. (3) Individual research projects: Yajaira Sierra-Sastre: processing food samples using stomacher and plating; Oleg Abramov: temperature sensor testing; Simon Engler: robotics testing; Kate Greene: familiarize the crew with cognitive assessment tests for sleep and food studies; Sian Proctor: documentation and outreach; Angelo Vermeulen: GreenHab work.
Inventory:
-
Support Req:
-
Miscelleneous:
HI-SEAS food study (odorant ID and patency testing) has to be partially carried out in the late evening because the EVA took up a lot of crew time.