Archives for: February 2006, 27
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MoonSkin? Mechanical Counter-Pressure Suit (Day 02)
by Moonbase Team 
MoonSkin? Mechanical Counter-Pressure Suit (Day 02)
Principal Investigator: William Fung-Schwarz
Crew Health & Safety Officer, Human Factors Research Lead
William Fung-Schwarz, was2@utah.edu
Observations:
Today I wore the MoonSkin MCP suit for the first time. The suit specifications are included in this report. Donning of the suit was incredibly easy. I substituted a modified knit cap for a neck warmer and substituted this for the full head MCP hood. The air unit, radio, and other equipment were stored in a traditional waist bag (see photos). Hydration unit tubes and air tubes fit comfortably into the protective helmet. The air unit was run in intermittent burst (mostly due to the fact that the system is so loud). Intermittent use was not sufficient to prevent fogging of inside of helmet. I consumed 2 liters of water during the 1.5 hour excursion. Sweating was a small issue, only light undergarments were worn beneath the MoonSkin MCP. Elastic neoprene socks allowed for copious pedal perspiration. A shower after the EVA/Surface Excursion was a very welcome way to end the trial run.
http://w3.marsstuff.com/media/mdrs/fs05/images/crew45/c45d02eva07.jpg
Project Goals:
1. Create a realistic analogue simulation of a Mechanical Counter-Pressure (MCP) suit [first described by: Webb (1967, 1968); Annis & Webb (1971); Hargens et al. (1987); Aratow et al. (1993)] and currently being developed by F.A. Korona and D.L. Akin (at the University of Maryland) and Dava Newman (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
2. Collect descriptive and subjective data from 1-2 users of the
MoonSkin MCP about comfort, utility of manual dexterity, and temperature of suit.
Suit Description
1. Body: Mens 3/2mm Tilos Titanium Skin Chest Full Suit Jumpsuit Wetsuit (Model #J3020, size 3XL)
2. Hood: Standard/Unisex 6/3 Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Water Sports Hood w/Vent (Model #H6010BK, size XL)
3. Inner Footwear: NRS HydroSkin? Neoprene Socks (Black, Large, Item 722203)
4. Outer Footwear: La Sportiva Latok (TRK) Boots (US size 12)
5. Hydration: Camel Pack Rogue (70 oz/2 litres, Item 720121)
6. Protection: Black Diamond Bod Climbing Harness (size XL)
7. Helmet: BMW/Shoei RF-1000 Helmet (large, with clear visor)
8. Forced Air Apparatus/Ventilation: Coleman Quickpump Rechargeable (Model 5999C400)
Estimated Suit Cost
1. Body: $67.99 (purchased from all3sports.com)
2. Hood: $19.95 (purchased from all3sports.com)
3. Inner Footwear: $33.00 (purchased from REI)
4. Outer Footwear: 250.00 (purchased from Campmor.com)
5. Hydration: $45.00 (purchased from REI)
6. Protection: $60.00 (purchased from Black Diamond)
7. Helmet: (borrowed) estimated cost $200.00
8. Ventilation: $32.00 (purchased from Gart Sports)
Future Upgrades
1. Helmet: Reevu Rear-view mirro helmet (http://www.reevu.com/)
2. Ventilation: 3MT Belt-Mounted Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) GVP-Series
02/27/06 11:21:11 pm, 
Log Book for February 27, 2006
by Moonbase Team
Log Book for February 27, 2006
Commander's Check-In
Peter Kokh Reporting
Projects underway! Today was our first full day. We are now settled in and got a start on several projects: the Human Factors project (William); the Space Frontier Diet simulation project (Laurel); Project MAST (Hugh); putting together our sponsors banner (Peter) and getting our Moon flag ready to put up tomorrow (Peter). Last night?s dinner, a vegetable curry with basmati rice, was a clear thumbs up winner, and will be the first entry in our Space Frontier Cookbook.
EVA: We had our first EVA today! William and Guido suited up today, William in a blue Mars skinsuit that he had made himself, and Guido in the standard EVA suit. Guido our journalist, is a professional and is posting radio and web reports daily to a number of media.
Crew Physical Status: One crew member has a bad cough, but otherwise we are all well and happy to be here.
Plans for Tomorrow: Tomorrow our ongoing projects will continue. Peter plans to begin assembling the arched top sections for the simulated pressurized tunnel to connect the GreenHab with the Hab. Getting beyond that depends on when Don can deliver the 40 PVC pressure pipes that we had on Big Blue before it died a noble death en route to the Hab from Salt Lake City on Saturday afternoon.
Miscellaneous: The sky was overcast last night at bedtime, but by 3 am every sky in the universe shown out the commander?s stateroom window. The commander resisted the temptation to share his excitement with the rest of the busily sleeping crew.
Maintenance: All utilities performed perfectly today, and that made Steven a happy camper.
Inventory: Plenty of food and other supplies. We did forget a few things in our shopping efforts, but with ingenuity, we?ll do just fine.
Support Requested: None.
Report Transmission Schedule:
1. Commander's Check-in, 19:00
2. Engineering Report, 19:30
3. EVA Report, 21:00
4. Science Report, 21:00
5. Journalist Report, 21:00
6. Photographs, 21:00
7. HSO Report, 21:00
"Denver, we have a problem!" - Peter Kokh
by Moonbase Team
------------
"Denver, we have a problem!" Today was supposed to be the first full day of the first Moon Society crew ever at MDRS (temporarily renamed the Moon Desert Research Station). But in fact, only one crew member, coming in via Grand Junction, CO arrived yesterday. The five us driving south from Salt Lake City had a simulated pressurized rover malfunction. The Mars Society's trusty 1983 Ford Crew Cab pickup, despite obvious signs of mechanical aches and pains, pushed on valiantly. But then alas, our faithful steed took its last breath about half way between Price and Green River. We thank it for picking the one small cellphone hot spot along the way. We were able to call for help.
Several people passing by stopped to see if they could be of assistance. Final, Don Foutz, our fix-anything can-do agent in Hanksville, arrived. After trouble shooting battery cables, the oil system and a loose starter, we finally got the engine to start only to hear the characteristic racket of a bad rod. We waited a couple of hours more for a tow truck. The crew packed in Don's van and we followed the tow truck with Blue, finally arriving in Hanksville a bit past 9 pm. A command decision was made to spend the night at the Whispering Sands and get a good nights sleep before coming out this morning. The alternative would have been to transfer all the luggage and cargo and to arrive by midnight, maybe.
After morning showers for all and something to eat, Don drove us out to the Hab about 8 am for our briefing by Crew 44 and the handover of the Hab. We had arrived with minimal essentials, so while waiting for the rest of our luggage and cargo to arrive, we held short planning meetings, and took a tour of the facilities to acquaint first timers with everything. We didn't expect the cargo to arrive before late evening, but the departing crew pitched in to transfer it from Blue to a trailer, and it was delivered about 3:30 pm. Thanks to Danielle, John, Jonathan, and Lealem !!!!
We are all in good spirits. Tomorrow will be our first full day and we expect to get a start on our various projects. Meanwhile, for the balance of today, the order of business is to unpack, have a good meal, settle in, and relax.
Peter Kokh, Commander
Artemis Moonbase Sim 1
MDRS Crew 45
February 26,2006