Commander Report
01/23/2013
Angelo Vermeulen
Today the entire crew stayed at the hab and focused on research. For HI-SEAS nasal patency tests
were carried out. We addressed another question from the list of HI-SEAS discussion topics. We
discussed how we would deal with the situation where a crew would have to be asked to leave the
mission, and what circumstances could cause such a situation.
Yajaira Sierra-Sastre conduted bacterial counts in food samples of meals prepared from leftovers.
Colliform colonies were identified in these samples. Preparations were made for hygiene-monitoring
experiments tomorrow. She will also be discussing protocols and experimental design of the
microbiological analysis of antimicrobial garments with the crew. Cupron antimicrobial garments
that were delivered yesterday have been distributed to the crew.
Plant cultivation at the GreenHab is doing generally well. All cress seeds are sprouting except
upland cress. Snow peas and broccoli are also sprouting. The containers with bush beans and mint
also show sprouts, but these are probably seeds that were present in the garden soil. It seems
garden soil with seeds was put back in the bag before, hence the contamination. One of the
strawberry plants is currently flowering. The Deodar cedar and the Colorado blue spruce were moved
into 12” pots. All plants were watered and some yellow leaves of kale and collard plants were
trimmed. Soil temperature was measured in both heated and non-heated trays, and a temperature
profile of the GreenHab was established using Oleg Abramov’s wireless sensor equipment. Large
temperature differences between day and night remain a core problem. Better insulation, more
variable temperature control and thermal mass could all add to a more stable environment for the
plants. The pH of the water in the hydroponics system was measured and was within an acceptable
range. Further details and data can be found in the Science Report.
The herbs that being grown inside the hab are not in good condition. Most of the potted herbs are
entirely wilted, and only about half of the cuttings seem viable still. Transport of the potted
herbs was probably too harsh with low temperatures. It might also be better to root herb cuttings
in water and not in soil.
Oleg Abramov analysed two thermographic data sets: exterior surveys of the hab and of the GreenHab
in the evening of January 21. Significant heat leaks from the east-facing window were discovered in
the hab. The GreenHab showed very steep vertical and horizontal temperature gradients. There’s a
problematic gap of 5 cm s between the two chambers, and generally a much better insulation is
recommended. A temperature gradient was also revealed in the series of non-heated seed starting
trays. The tray closest to the center of the GreenHab (and propane heater) was significantly warmer
than the tray to the side. Two wireless temperature sensors were used to log temperatures with a 20
sec interval. One sensor was placed in the GreenHab (results explained above). The other sensor was
placed in Oleg’s state room. Interestingly, the temperature gradually increases and then peaks
around 7am when most crew members get up. This is probably caused by closing the state rooms and a
gradual build-up of heat during the night.
Simon Engler prepared for a short near-hab EVA tomorrow with the Clearpath Husky rover. Video feed
from the rover is operational, albeit slow.
Kate Greene received feedback from the crew about lighting protocol #2. She determined that a thin
plastic cover for the ZEO didn’t solve the problem of an allergic reaction of one of the crew
members. She evaluated shower times and water usage – information that will also be very useful for
the design of the HI-SEAS habitat. And finally she collected crew opinions and suggestions about
the meal weighing/photographing protocol and setup.
Sian Proctor has been taking pictures/ and shooting video of the GreenHab, the microbiology lab,
and Oleg Abramov’s research. She continued editing of the second HI-SEAS video. And she did this
along with usual outreach work. Sian also collaborated with Yajaira to kickstart Spanish outreach
for the Hispanic community.
I haven’t found the time yet to answer any of the questions of Mission Support guests Alison
Deatsch, Ross McFarland and Daniel Konzman from Elon University. I hope to be able to do this
before turnover on Saturday.
Routine checks and hab maintenance were performed.