Science Report

April 3, 2008

Jan Gruber



Science Report: Biochemistry

Today we continued training for the in-sim sterile sample collection. We documented our efforts by HD video as well as photos and hope that this will be useful as an instruction video – at least for the rest of Crew 70.

We still seem to have some communication problems with Earth, as we have not received any further instructions regarding sample handling yet. However, we are almost ready to go on a real sample collection mission as we have three people trained in the sterile procedure by now.

The solar flare coupled radiation sim is progressing but has not been implemented yet. The radio telescope will give us approximately 30 minute warning (speed of light vs. speed of particles) and we will assume that the shielding of the Hab and the ATVs (non pressurized rovers) is such that the crew is safe in the Hab while crew in the rovers will be assumed to get some radiation - but not lethal doses (for a single flare). Crew in the open will be grounded for the following days EVA and will be assumed to have received a significant amount of their maximum allowable dose. From our preliminary observations, it appears that flares are common enough for this to provide an interesting random element to sims, but not so common that it would be disruptive to overall plans. Guerric, Violette, Elnaz and myself (Jan) are working on making this operational ASAP. Suggestions and comments would be highly welcome.
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