MDRS Crew 122 (HI-SEAS)
Science Report #6
01/18/13
Geology Report
By: Sian Proctor
The EVA team traversed over multiple layers of what is believed to be mudstone, siltstone, and sandstone of varying colors until they reached a large mesa approx. 1.4 km southeast of the hab at UTM coordinates 12s 0519362 4250196. The mesa had large boulders of conglomerate scattered around the base. The conglomerate boulders appear to be the remnants of the original cap rock of the mesa indicating that the more resistant conglomerate layer was undercut by the weathering and erosion of the softer mudstones & siltstones. Along the way the EVA team also noticed quartz like nodules scattered on the surface of the mudstones and siltstones as they returned to the hab.
Thermal Analysis and Evaluation
By: Oleg Abramov
Yesterday I repeated a thermal infrared survey of the upper floor of the hab at approx. 23:00 for comparison to a survey conducted earlier that day between 15:00 and 16:00. The common area of the hab, ceiling insulation, and my stateroom were surveyed, and all significant heat sources and sinks were imaged. Today, at approx. 16:00 I conducted a thermal infrared survey of the lower floor of the hab, including the airlocks, lab area, EVA room, workbench, and bathroom and shower facilities. At approx. 17:00, I conducted a brief thermal survey of the hab and Greenhab exterior from the tunnel between the two structures. I also competed a thermal survey of the Greenhab at about the same time. I plan to do an additional nighttime survey of the Greenhab for comparison. Tomorrow I plan to process data from these surveys and draw preliminary conclusions.
Green Hab Activities
By: Angelo Vermeulen
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. A more detailed overview of measurements can be found below. 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. The water cress cuttings that were put in place yesterday looked limp. More water was added and all cuttings were replanted to make sure they were mostly submerged. The entire system was moved away from the seedling heat mat and placed on a shelf.
Three seed starting trays were inoculated with cress, bush beans, peas, broccoli, and mint. We hope to harvest the cress seedlings somewhere next week. The seedling trays were put on the seedling heat mat.
All plants were in good condition except the herbs and avocado tree, as reported yesterday. Mint and dill were thrown out because they didn’t seem viable any longer. The problems with these plants are most probably caused by the large temperature variations in the GreenHab. Using covers (such as in the case of the chard plants) and adjusting the thermostat settings of the fans might partially alleviate the problem.
The table on the lower deck next to the EVA room door is the same as the damaged GreenHab door. As such the damaged door in the GreenHab can be replaced with this one. Oleg Abramov did a thermal survey of the GreenHab today and detected a lot of leaks. I already patched one leak with a plastic bag, but there’s definitely more precise insulation work to be done.
I am also compiling a full list of materials needed for further operation of the GreenHab and will submit this to Shannon Rupert and the mission support mailing list.
Temperature in GreenHab
-----------------------
01/17 6:40pm 52°F
01/17 8:00pm 40°F
01/18 8:00am 34°F
01/18 1:00pm 83°F
01/18 6:00pm 57°F
01/18 8:00pm 51°F