Commanders Report
1/16/2013
Angelo Vermeulen
Today the second EVA of Crew 122 was organized. This time the group
that did the EVA yesterday
stayed in the hab, while the others went out. The EVA crew consisted
of Simon Engler, EVA Team
Leader, Sian Proctor, Navigator & Stenographer, and Yajaira
Sierra-Sastre, Scientist. This
pedestrian EVA was similar to the first EVA with the additon of two
waypoints to collect strata
samples. This was intended to be an EVA to test out equipment and
protocols, getting members used
to the space suits and using various equipment with the EVA suits.
Simon Engler tested the
Clearpath Husky rover by using it as a sample transport. Sian Proctor
who is the public outreach
officer for our upcoming HI-SEAS mission documented and filmed as much
as possible, figuring out
how to do this properly in the EVA suit. Crew member Yajaira
Sierra-Sastre gathered soil samples at
different geological strata for microbiological analysis.
For HI-SEAS we carried out nasal patency tests on all crew members
(rhinomanometry and acoustic
rhinometry). Today we didn’t do any meal weighing or photographing.
Tomorrow we plan to weigh and
photograph breakfast. We also addressed another question from the list
of HI-SEAS discussion
topics. We talked about how we would respond to unexpected sightseers
or people deliberately trying
to disrupt the 4-month isolation campaign.
Yajaira Sierra Sastre continued work on the food microbiology study.
However in preparing a buffer
solution she encountered technical issues. Adjusting the buffer is
difficult using strips instead
of a digital pH meter. There were also some issues with the vacuum
pump but those got resolved. The
space downstairs looks beautifully organized as a professional lab.
It’s amazing how this space can
actually have so many simultaneous functions: lab, EVA entry space,
and exercise room.
I worked in the GreenHab, and got some good results. Covering chard
plants with a plastic bag cover
kept humidity high. It also may protect them from the cold at night.
The plants significantly grew
in just two days and are in good shape. The (partially) submerged
watercress cuttings clearly
showed rooting. Tomorrow I’ll be setting up an aquaponics system to
continue growth. The herbs are
still having difficulty adapting to the environment of the GreenHab,
even with a cover. The avocado
tree has lost a lot of leaves. But all other plants are doing well.
The most striking is probably
the three strawberries that are ripening, and will be ready for
consumption in a few days. A
seedling heat mat has been tested and will be used from tomorrow
onwards to boost sprouting.
Kate Greene introduced the crew to the WinSCAT cognitive assessment
test, including its background
and purpose. She also continued to learn about how the crew responds
to ZEO sleep monitoring system.
Oleg Abramov was habcom during the EVA and spent a large amount of
time on that. He also looked
further into his wireless sensor equipment, but concluded that the
receiver doesn’t work. The
device was tested on two separate computers, with different cables,
and with different
communications settings. He will now contact the sensor company to ask
for support.
Sian Proctor shot a large amount of video and photos during the EVA.
She is currently finalizing
short interviews with each crew member and will be posting that soon
(during night time, in low
resolution).
On a technical level the hab is operating fine, and water usage seems
to be down in comparison with
previous days.
-----------------
01/16/2013
Angelo Vermeulen
Crew Physical Health:
All are well.
Eva Depart Time:
13:54
Eva Return Time:
15:37
Narrative Of Field Mission Results:
Second EVA for our crew, testing of the Clearpath rover, sampling of
soil for bacteriological studies
Hab Maint:
Everything was working well today. Loft tank was filled twice.
Water consumption is down a lot. Checked propane and diesel levels.
Hab cleaning by the crew. New AcuRite thermometer with wireless sensor
was found, in a supplies box in the GreenHab. Outside sensor will be
installed tomorrow.
Tomorrow Plan:
(1) HI-SEAS research: odorant ID testing, HI-SEAS discussion
topics. (2) Individual research projects. (3) First harvest of greens
grown in the GreenHab, and use in lunch/dinner.
Inventory:
-
Support Req:
-
Miscelleneous:
-