The Moon Society and the Mars Society's Moonbase Simulation

TheNational Space Society is teaming up with The Moon Society to create a lunarsettlement simulation using the Mars Society's Mars Desert Research Station.Here is the daily blog from the experiment being held in the Utah desert:

Entryfor March 03, 2006

We madeprogress on several fronts today. First, we put up a Moon Flag. It is not aflag of the Moon, nor the flay of the Moon Society. It is a flag flown by thiscrew. Following suite to the Mars tricolor red-green-blue (after Kim StanleyRobinsion's science fiction trilogy of Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars) weadopted a tricolor of our own: Gray (for the Moon's surface), Blue for water orthe hydrogen we must scavenge from the soil with which to make it, Green forthe verdant biospheres in which we will live. Right now it is whipping in highwinds. Meanwhile, the Mars flag of our hosts still flies here also, as itshould!

Observations:Today I wore the MoonSkin MCP suit for the first time. The suit specificationsare included in this report. Donning of the suit was incredibly easy. Isubstituted a modified knit cap for a neck warmer and substituted this for thefull head MCP hood. The air unit, radio, and other equipment were stored in atraditional waist bag. Hydration unit tubes and air tubes fit comfortably intothe protective helmet. The air unit was run in intermittent burst (mostly dueto the fact that the system is so loud). Intermittent use was not sufficient toprevent fogging of inside of helmet. I consumed 2 liters of water during the1.5 hour excursion. Sweating was a small issue, only light undergarments wereworn beneath the MoonSkin MCP. Elastic neoprene socks allowed for copious pedalperspiration. A shower after the EVA/Surface Excursion was a very welcome wayto end the trial run.

Observations:Today I wore the MoonSkin MCP suit for the first time. The suit specificationsare included in this report. Donning of the suit was incredibly easy. I substituteda modified knit cap for a neck warmer and substituted this for the full headMCP hood. The air unit, radio, and other equipment were stored in a traditionalwaist bag. Hydration unit tubes and air tubes fit comfortably into theprotective helmet. The air unit was run in intermittent burst (mostly due tothe fact that the system is so loud). Intermittent use was not sufficient toprevent fogging of inside of helmet. I consumed 2 liters of water during the1.5 hour excursion. Sweating was a small issue, only light undergarments wereworn beneath the MoonSkin MCP. Elastic neoprene socks allowed for copious pedalperspiration. A shower after the EVA/Surface Excursion was a very welcome wayto end the trial run.

1. Createa realistic analogue simulation of a Mechanical

2. Collect descriptive and subjective data from 1-2 users of the MoonSkin MCP boutcomfort, utility of manual dexterity, and temperature of suit.

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

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

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)

1. Helmet: Reevu Rear-view mirro helmet (http://www.reevu.com/)

2. Ventilation: 3MT Belt-Mounted Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR)

We had ourfirst EVA today! William and Guido suited up today, William in a blue Marsskinsuit that he had made himself, and Guido in the standard MDRS EVA suit.Guido our journalist, is a professional and is posting radio and web reportsdaily to a number of media. He found today's experience awesome and inspiringand he was busy writing furiously after his return.

Tomorrow ourongoing projects will continue. W e expect Leslie to arrive by noon and shewill be anxious to get a start on her project monitoring how the GreenHabrecycles graywater from the sinks and showers for reuse in flushing the toilet.Peter plans to begin assembling the arched top sections for the simulatedpressurized tunnel to connect the GreenHab with the Hab. Getting beyond thatdepends on when Don can deliver the 40 PVC pressure pipes that we had on BigBlue before it died a noble death en route to the Hab from Salt Lake City onSaturday afternoon.

The sky wasovercast last night at bedtime, but by 3 am every sky in the universe shown outthe commander?s stateroom window. The commander resisted the temptation toshare his excitement with the rest of the busily sleeping crew. The skyreturned to overcast today and tomorrow there is the expectation of rain bysometime in the afternoon. We hope to get in an EVA before then as the next daywill be a muddy one!

"Denver, we have a problem!"

Today wassupposed to be the first full day of the first Moon Society crew ever at MDRS (temporarilyrenamed the Moon Desert Research Station). But in fact, only one crew member,coming in via Grand Junction, CO arrived yesterday. The five us driving southfrom Salt Lake City had a simulated pressurized rover malfunction. The MarsSociety's trusty 1983 Ford Crew Cab pickup, despite obvious signs of mechanicalaches and pains, pushed on valiantly. But then alas, our faithful steed tookits last breath about half way between Price and Green River. We thank it forpicking the one small cellphone hot spot along the way. We were able to callfor help.

Severalpeople passing by stopped to see if they could be of assistance. Finally, DonFoutz, our fix-anything can-do agent in Hanksville, arrived. After troubleshooting battery cables, the oil system and a loose starter, we finally got theengine to start only to hear the characteristic racket of a bad rod. We waiteda couple of hours more for a tow truck. The crew packed in Don's van and wefollowed the tow truck with Blue, finally arriving in Hanksville a bit past 9pm. A command decision was made to spend the night at the Whispering Sands andget a good nights sleep before coming out this morning. The alternative wouldhave been to transfer all the luggage and cargo and to arrive by midnight, maybe.

Aftermorning showers for all and something to eat, Don drove us out to the Hab about8 am for our briefing by Crew 44 and the handover of the Hab. We had arrivedwith minimal essentials, so while waiting for the rest of our luggage and cargoto arrive, we held short planning meetings, and took a tour of the facilitiesto acquaint first timers with everything. We didn't expect the cargo to arrivebefore late evening, but the departing crew pitched in to transfer it from Blueto a trailer, and it was delivered about 3:30 pm. Thanks to Danielle, John,Jonathan, and Lealem !!!!

". . .. . . . this is Artemis Control. We've just passed the T-minus 12 hours,and 5 minute mark in the countdown towards the departure of the Artemis Onecrew from the Selene Launching Complex aboard the BIg Blue space to lunatransporter.

His Earthto Moon transit aboard the Skyjumper "Anik 21" was uneventful and hewas met at Grand Junction Spaceport by Don Foutz aboard his personalpressurised moon rover "da van". Hugh reports that going in by Grand Junction has many advantages over going in via the Selene Launching Complex, the twobig advantages were, 1.) no rush hour traffic and 2.) a two hour drive versus anearly 5 hours drive.

All systemson the Artemis One Hab are reported to be functioning nominally. Nextreport when events warrent it. This is Artemis Control.. . . . ."

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