Commander Report
01/21/2013
Angelo Vermeulen
Today the fifth EVA was carried out. The EVA team consisted of Simon Engler
(leader), Angelo
Vermeulen (scientist) and Kate Greene (navigator). We did a pedestrian EVA
southbound, towards a
large mound about 2 kms south of the hab. The whole trip took about 100
mins. For me it was the
longest pedestrian EVA so far, and it gave me a good impression of the
physical impact of a suit.
For HI-SEAS odorant ID tests were carried out. We weighed and documented our
lunch. And we
addressed another question from the list of HI-SEAS discussion topics. We
discussed how the issue
of Œwithdrawal¹ during isolation campaigns, what causes it, and how to
address it if it occurs
during HI-SEAS.
Yajaira Sierra-Sastre processed food samples for microbiological analysis
(inoculation and
incubation). Thermal kill treatment was applied to a food sample that showed
high counts of
Staphylococcus aureus. Total coliform analyses was conducted of the
hydroponics water that is being
used to grow water cress in the GreenHab.
I continued to expand plant culture in the GreenHab. An additional
watercress seed-starting tray
was added. Five types of seeds were being sprouted by Crew 121 but showed
signs of decomposition.
Nevertheless these seeds and small sprouts were transplanted to soil. Two of
those (radish and
Œspicy mix¹) have seemingly recovered and are now growing. Snow peas that
were planted last week
have started to sprout. Today the first strawberries were harvested. Herb
cuttings that arrived
yesterday and that were planted in soil are being grown inside the hab due
to the higher
temperatures there. Some herb species seem to be doing well (e.g. rosemary),
while others are
wilting or drying out (e.g. mint). More details in the Science Report.
Oleg Abramov analysed two thermographic data sets: exterior surveys of the
hab and greenhab, and an
interior survey of the greenhab, both during the afternoon. A new new
thermography session is
planned for the GreenHab tonight. Oleg also submitted reports to the Flight
Surgeon: the weekly
Health and Safety Report, and the bimonthly Safety Inspection Check List.
Kate Greene investigated options for the crewmember who shows an alergic
reaction to the ZEO
headband. She started the first protocol for the lighting for the
sleep/light study, and is
currently gathering feedback.
Sian Proctor worked on the HI-SEAS website, mission photos for MDRS, and
started the preproduction
of a second online video.
The combination of Crew Commander work conferring with the crew and
responding to mission support,
HI-SEAS research, GreenHab experiments, tests for other crew members (such
as WinSCAT), an
intensive afternoon EVA, cooking duties for the day, and maintenance chores
proved to be quite
taxing. Luckily I got support from Sian Proctor for cooking duties. I also
cancelled my chores, and
took a rest from 5pm till 6pm.