Crew 177 Journalist Report 29Mar2017
Victoria LaBarre, XO/Chemist
This morning the crew woke up a little later than expected because we all stayed up late looking at the stars. The view was spectacular, and the crew was thrilled to see different constellations so clearly, such as the little dipper, Ursa Major, Leo and Lynx. Tonight, our astronomers plan to re-calibrate the telescope so that we can see Jupiter.
Today we only sent out four crew members on a single EVA to Little Canyon to study geological features and collect dirt samples to test in the lab later. Measuring the canyon proved difficult with the measuring tape since it was too short, so our geologist plans to return to the canyon on a later EVA with a rope that he can mark out on EVA and measure back at the Hab.
After lunch, our crew regrouped and assessed our projects and how to fix the ones that were not working. After this meeting, crew members went downstairs and worked on their projects, reaping positive results. Our microbiologist went around the lab swabbing random objects to grow bacteria on an auger, our greenhouse keeper got his bike generator working again and was able to run two tests, and the two crew members working on the robot soldered together a USB to USB cord made from two cut up charger cords and were able to send gain a connection between the robot’s brain and controller. The robot now can move its axels and arm, although it cannot move the heavy wheels.
The two crew members hypothesize that the 9 volt batteries do not feed enough power to the gearboxes to move the gears, chain, sprockets and wheel altogether. On a positive note, the arm of the robot is fully functional and these two crewmates plan to go on an EVA later to test the strength and dexterity of the robot’s arm.
Dinner was also very eventful as it was the OX/Journalist’s twenty-first birthday. The crew made a birthday cake with candles on top and all signed a birthday card with well wishes. Later, the crew broke out the glow sticks and looked at the stars again.
Unfortunately, the astronomers could not get the telescope to focus, so the distinguishing marks of Jupiter couldn’t be seen. However, glow sticks, a cup of hot cocoa and lots of laughs as we all looks up at the stars more than made up for the telescope.