Commander Report
01/18/2013
Angelo Vermeulen
Today another EVA was carried out. The EVA team consisted of Oleg Abramov (leader), Yajaira Sierra
(navigator & stenographer) and Sian Proctor (scientist). The main objective of this pedestrian EVA
was to explore a large mesa approx. 1.4 km southeast of the hab at UTM coordinates 12s 0519362
4250196, and logged in the Hab's HALp database as waypoint 30. The crew's departure was delayed by
several equipment issues. In an attempt to find an access route to the summit, the mesa was
partially circumnavigated in the counterclockwise direction. The crew climbed about 25 m up the
south slope of the mesa, but it was judged too steep to continue. Two rock samples were collected;
one of the conglomerate blocks strewn on the west slope of the mesa, and another of a quartzite
layer within the mudstone on the south wall of the mesa.
I continued work in the GreenHab. Large temperature fluctuations were observed using the new
temperature sensor. At 8am this morning the temperature was 34°F, while in daytime the temperature
rose to 83°F. This is obviously not a good situation for the plants. The ventilators in the
GreenHab operated and kept the temperature from going even beyond 83°F, but probably the thermostat
setting has to be lowered. I will look into this tomorrow. The aquaponics system was adjusted and
improved. Three seed starting trays were inoculated with cress and other vegetable seeds. We hope
to harvest cress seedlings somewhere next week.
For HI-SEAS nasal patency tests were carried out. We weighed and documented our dinner. And we
addressed another question from the list of HI-SEAS discussion topics. We discussed how we would
deal with the ‘third quarter syndrome’.
For her microbiology study Yajaira Sierra-Sastre inoculated 5 food samples and put them in the
incubator.
Oleg Abramov conducted another thermal survey of the upper floor of the hab last night at 11pm for
comparison with a previous survey yesterday afternoon. He also surveyed the lower floor at 4pm, and
the GreenHab at 5pm. In total 45 infrared images were taken. Analysis is scheduled for tomorrow.
Oleg was also EVA leader today, and collected two rock samples.
Kate Greene researched the food photography/documentation aspect of HI-SEAS and found some relevant
studies. She got in touch with her engineering contact at ZEO to inquire about technical aspects of
the sleep monitoring equipment. And she updated the HI-SEAS website and added Twitter feed.
Sian Proctor was the scientist during the EVA of today. She posted a beautiful entry on the HI-SEAS
blog about the harvest at the GreenHab yesterday.
The toilet seems to operate relatively normal again (using force flushing). Propane levels are down
to 26%. Finally, routine cleaning chores were done in the hab.
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CommanderCheckIn Report
01/18/2013
Angelo Vermeulen
Crew Physical Health:
All are well.
Eva Depart Time:
14:24
Eva Return Time:
15:56
Narrative Of Field Mission Results:
Explored large mesa 1.5 kms southeast of the hab. Climbed about 25m.
Eva Depart Time:
Eva Return Time:
Narrative Of Field Mission Results:
Eva Depart Time:
Eva Return Time:
Narrative Of Field Mission Results:
Eva Depart Time:
Eva Return Time:
Narrative Of Field Mission Results:
Eva Depart Time:
Eva Return Time:
Narrative Of Field Mission Results:
Hab Maint:
Routine checks of water, diesel and propane. Propane level is down to 26%. Water loft tank was filled up three times. Routine cleaning chores were done in the hab. The temperature sensor in the GreenHab showed very strong temperature differences between day and night (almost 50°F).
Rep Sched:
-
Tomorrow Plan:
(1) EVA #4 testing the Clearpath Husky rover and possibly using the ATVs, (2) HI-SEAS research: odorant ID testing, weighing and photographing of lunch, HI-SEAS discussion topics. (3) Individual research projects.
Inventory:
-
Support Req:
Propane levels are getting low.
Miscelleneous:
Plant culture has been expanded in the GreenHab. Three new seedling trays have been started.