NASA/NSF/ILC Dover Antarctica 2008

2008-01-17T18:21:00.001-08:00

This will be the last blog. We are scheduled to leave by C 17 for our return back to Christchurch, NZ in just a few hours. We feel extremely privileged to have had the opportunity to spend a short amount of time in such an extreme and unspoiled environment. You think of Ernest Shackleton’s incredible voyage in 1915 and all those who followed, including many that are here today - they did not try to tame the ice, but respect it and survive within it’s boundaries.

2008-01-17T18:01:00.001-08:00

18 Jan
As I write this, it is our last day here. We are tired from an intense 10 days of work, but at the same time invigorated by what we have accomplished. The whole team – NASA, NSF, Raytheon, and ILC Dover - has really come together while we have been here. The last two days have been spent on several different fronts. We verified communication with engineers at JSC, and they assumed control of the cameras and data acquisition system. JSC also began collecting data from the Hab as well as feeding data from JSC to the instrumentation system. We also finished the sustaining plan and maintenance procedures to be left here for those that will be at McMurdo during the year winterover period. Lastly, we documented with closeout photos, the condition of the Hab as we leave it.

2008-01-16T13:52:00.001-08:00

16 Jan
The day was greeted with snow and fairly strong winds. It was interesting to see how the structure basically "shed" the accumuation as the day progressed. We finished the final sensor placements. There is a certain amount of calibration required once the sensors are in place, so that was also accomplished. The connection back to Johnson Space Center was also utilized during a good part of the day. As far as the structure, we demonstrated the use of the “regolith bags”. Some concepts for providing radiation protection on the lunar surface includes using local resources (lunar soil) placed into containers and placed over the lunar habitat. Here at McMurdo we incorporated the same concept using the local resource (snow) on exterior bags that are attached to the Hab. The day was completed with our overnight stay using sleeping bags provided by Byrd Field Center.

2008-01-15T13:12:00.000-08:00

15 Jan
Today was used to finish the installation of sensors, verify the connection back to Johnson Space Center, and further document the structure and our work. First, we monitored CO2 levels internal to the Hab with all six of us working inside the Hab. Readings were recorded every five minutes over a two hour period. We also recorded the interior temperature levels (with no additional heating). The design characteristics of the structure (inflated structural tubes) seems to provide a fairly good thermal insulation layer. Additional external sensors were put in place under the Hab, and we did some initial looks at the images from the thermal imaging done the previous day.
Late afternoon provided us the opportunity to document the Hab and some of its features using a high definition video camera. The last part of the day was spent organizing and starting to package the repair materials and spares that will be left here for NSF and Raytheon for the over-winter period.

2008-01-14T14:24:00.001-08:00

2008-01-14T14:13:00.001-08:00

13 Jan
Monday, 13 January was spent really turning the Hab into a work area. We installed internal hardware including lights, heaters, cameras, computers, and air quality monitors (Humidity, airflow, & CO2 sensors). We also started the installation of instrumentation (loop antennas and saw tag antennas) and established communications with the various temperature and pressure sensors. The weather station has been activated and connected to the habitat computer and most of the sensors have started monitoring and recording data. Communication with the McMurdo Intranet was also established and verified.

Another key activity was using a thermal imaging camera to take readings not only of the inflatable hab, but also operational Jamesway huts at the Long Duration Balloon Facility at Williams’s field. The Jamesway is a 1950’s era plywood/canvas unit that has been used by NSF for a number of years and is comparable in size and functionality to our unit. This thermal imaging will help us understand what heat leak we experience with our unit, and we expect a significant improvement on thermal efficiency.

Plans for tomorrow call for completing additional sensor installation and calibration, CO2 monitoring of the interior while in use, and a “christening” of the Hab with the six of us overnighting in it Wednesday night.

This blog entry is actually being entered while in the Hab itself, so we have officially established a “home away from home” !!!!!!!

2008-01-12T23:15:00.000-08:00

13 Jan
Here are a few photos from our day spent taking in all the incredible environment that is around us here )including the icebreaker....)

2008-01-12T23:09:00.001-08:00

13 Jan
Here are a few photos from our day spent taking in all the incredible environment that is around us here )including the icebreaker....)

2008-01-12T22:52:00.001-08:00

More photos from Saturday.

2008-01-12T22:39:00.001-08:00

12 Jan
Saturday, January 12 started with preparation for our 3 demonstrations (9 am, 1 pm and 7 pm). We also started sensor installation, and finished the ground anchors. The weather station installation was completed (in pictures it shows as the 2 inch diameter pole adjacent to the hab). This will allow those at Johnson Space Center to remotely record weather conditions with the structure use while it is deployed for the year. A drill was brought in to make sure it was securely anchored (again thanks to the personnel here at McMurdo).
For the 3 demonstrations of the structure deployment, we started inside the hab for a short briefing describing plans for lunar habitats, the structure itself, and how the innovative partnership between NASA/NSF/ILC Dover will benefit all parties. After this we exited the structure and deflated, then reinflated. Each time it took approximately 6 minutes for each. We had over 100 people (total) for the three demonstrations - it has become a topic of conversation around McMurdo. Not only was there large attendance, but also we benefited from the feedback we received from those that came. From those that have stayed in field camps to fire and rescue personnel to scientists. There was even a Middle School science teacher from Blanco, Texas who is here on an exchange program for teachers. We ended the busy day with making sure we were prepared for Monday’s (14 Jan) sensor installations. Sunday will be a break day for us and we plan on a few hikes and a tour of the Oden, the Swedish Icebreaker, which plowed it’s way to the Ice Pier this afternoon.

2008-01-11T03:02:00.001-08:00

2008-01-11T02:53:00.000-08:00

11 Jan
Today started with the Inflatable Hab fully inflated on the site. Most of the morning was spent making sure the anchors were in place properly and outfitting the interior. Work continued on the preparation of the sensors and the “weather station” was installed. This will help folks back at JSC monitor the actually conditions at the structure’s site after we leave and during it’s one year deployment. The floor was also installed. We ran a “deflate, then reinflate” demonstration for a few key McM Station facility management folks at 12:30 pm. It took approximately 6 minutes to deflate, and 6 minutes to reinflate. The response from people who have visited it has been extremely positive – (we have even had feedback from experinced people with South Pole Station). Tomorrow, Saturday, we are demonstrating again at 9 am, 1 pm, and 7 pm. This will give personnel working the various shifts here an opportunity to see it. We also worked in a terrific hike after the demo today and saw a seal and the ice breaker working (it will reach McMudo on Monday). I have included a few photos from that hike in the next blog.

2008-01-10T18:51:00.000-08:00

2008-01-10T18:47:00.001-08:00

2008-01-10T18:41:00.001-08:00

Additional photos from 10 Jan

2008-01-10T18:26:00.001-08:00

10 Jan
After setting up our indoor work space and logistics, today we set about to verify the site layout for anchors, and Todd and Scott started to check out and “wake up” the instrumentation packages that were shipped from NASA/JSC. One thing to note, the NSF and Raytheon have really prepared for our visit and provided people, tools, and support. Without this, our setup would have taken a longer period of time. We are truly grateful for their support, really fostering the team approach of this project from day one.

About mid-day we decided to head to lunch and start the layout and initial inflation about 2 pm local. The 2 packages (Hab1 and Hab2) of the habitat were delivered to the site (adjacent to the Science Support Center), the support equipment package (including the inflation system, tie down anchors, etc) was carried out, and the “crew” assembled for assembly and deployment. First we staked out the approximate area for the hab packages to be put, and then we removed the cardboard packaging to get to the real packages wrapped in plastic. We then set about to unfold and join (by large zippers) the Hab1 and Hab2 sections. Then the inflation system was attached, inflation occurred, and ground stakes were put in place (attached to ground anchors previously installed by NSF). The entire operation (from moving the packages to proper location to full inflation) took less than 1 hour, with the inflation occurring in 14 minutes. This was done in 20 – 25 knot winds with gusts to 35 knots and blowing snow. It was great conditions for testing the procedures and method for structure deployment the NASA/NSF/ILC Dover) team had developed. It should also be noted it was accomplished with a crew of 4 people. Considering we had set a goal of 4 hours with 4 people, we feel this is a successful demonstration of the benefits of deployable/inflatable structures for both the NSF and NASA.
What follows in the blog are some photos that capture the day’s activities. We will spend the next few days making adjustments and “fine tuning” the anchors, installing additional sensors, installing the floor. According to the weather forecast for tomorrow, it will be done in the same conditions as today.

2008-01-09T01:30:00.000-08:00

09 Jan
We ended 08 Jan with a midnight hike to Hut Point. It looks across the frozen bay towards the glaciers. It is daylight 24 hours a day, so it was a strange sensation.

After 6 ½ hours sleep, we had a quick breakfast before heading to our temporary office (a conference room in the Faciities Management Bldg.) . At the time I am writing this it is 4 pm , and we have surveyed the site, and finished the site prep work (after the work the NSF did on it before we arrived). We have also started to set up our work area where we are laying out and checking the sensors which will be embedded in the structure to monitor it’s health during it’s year of deployment. At the moment it has started to snow and the wind is increasing.

The forecast is for winds up to 80 knots by tomorrow with heavy snow the next few days. We hope to have the structure set up in the next few days aith installation of ground anchors and final site prep tomorrow, and then start to instrument it and outfit it. Many people here seem to be very interested in the project. At lunch we hiked back to Hut Point and could barely stand , you had to almost horizontally lean into the wind to keep from being blown downhill. It has truly turned into the Antarctic today !!!!! So the site prep wil be the challenge it should be tomorrow.

2008-01-08T21:42:00.001-08:00

2008-01-08T21:32:00.000-08:00

08 Jan
What a whirlwind 24 hours. 08 Jan started with a checkout from the hotel in Christchurch at 4:30 am. We proceeded to the Antarctic Center at the airport to don our cold weather gear, have a bit of breakfast, and make sure our checked baggage was ready, and make sure we had our carry on bags in order. You are allotted 2 orange duffels. One is carry on and includes what you need as a “boomerang Bag” – these are items that in the event the plane is turned around after departure because of weather, etc. at McMurdo. Our flight departed Christchurch at 9 am and took 5 hours to arrive. It was aboard a C-17.

We flew on “side seats” along with cargo bound for McMurdo. Because it is the “summer” they attempt flights from Christchurch to McMurdo 3 times a week – Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. It is pretty strange being in a plane with only a few small windows, so on takeoff and landing you only have the sensation of what is going on. As mentioned we landed at 1 pm on the ice.

The only description for when you deplane off the steps is WOW !!!!!!!! It was one of the most incredible sights I have ever seen. 360 degrees around you is “beautiful desolation” of snow ice and glaciers. They hurried everyone to the transports for the ride to McMurdo. It took about 35 minutes to arrive at the base camp at McMurdo.

2008-01-08T17:21:00.000-08:00

For those of you unfamiliar with the project we are here for, I have inserted a video of a BBC feature done in November when we previewed the structure at ILC Dover. The next blog will describe our arrival at McMurdo yesterday, 08 Jan (07 Jan in Houston)

2008-01-06T20:46:00.001-08:00

The ABOMINABLE TEXAN

2008-01-06T20:24:00.000-08:00

07 Jan
Today we made it to the International Antarctic Center at the Christchurch Airport. Here we were given our cold weather gear. It basically comes in two orange duffels. It includes undergarments, gloves, wind pants, parkas, etc. Most of us feel we are in pretty good shape to weather anything now, given we brought things with us as well from Houston. Everything needed to be tried on and made sure it is “serviceable” – no broken zippers, etc. We basically got through this in about 2 hours.
There are about 60 people deploying to the ice on our flight. We need to report back tomorrow morning at 6 am for the flight. It will take about 5 hours to McMurdo (weather dependent). You will notice that we have our “mascot” penguins in tow and you will see them again in the future. That way those of you who said “…hope you see penguins…..” will not be disappointed.

2008-01-06T02:34:00.001-08:00

06 Jan
Today was a day used to adjust to the time difference and see bit more of Christchurch and the surrounding area. We took a bus ($2.50 round trip fare) ride to the port town of Lyttelton, about 25 minutes from Cathedral Square. The port is used by the NSF to send cargo to Antarctica, and a berth for some of the ice breakers used there as well. The Palmer was in dock there and will be traveling to McMurdo while we are there.

Ended up the day with a nice dinner and a visit to the square before returning to the hotel (which is right on the square). There was a lone flute player who was playing when the church bells started - pretty cool. Even though we expect continuous daylight at the Pole, the sun sets here about 9:30 pm Tomorrow we go to the staging center at the airport to get our cold weather gear. Ironic in that it was probably close to 80 deg F here in Christchurch today.

2008-01-04T22:41:00.001-08:00

2008-01-04T22:38:00.001-08:00

2008-01-04T22:28:00.000-08:00

05 Jan
Arrived in Auckland, New Zealand from Los Angeles after a 13 hour flight. In the process we lost a day (04 Jan.) by crossing the international date line. First thing you notice is that the security here is concentrated on bio-hazards rather than the normal security concerns we have in the US. You have to declare bringing hiking boots into the country and any other snacks etc. you bring with you. They take any thing to with potential pollution of their country very serious. After a few hour layover in Auckland, we flew to Christchurch where we were greeted with mid 70s, low humidity, “Californiaous” weather. It is the middle of their summer here. After arriving at the hotel a bit before 11 am , we left our luggage at the hotel to do some sight-seeing (and stay awake). We were able to check in shortly before 3 pm. I am including some of the pictures I took today of the Cathedral Square (which our hotel is on), the Antarctic wing of their “Natural History” museum, and the botanical gardens – all within walking distance of the hotel. We will have Sunday to ourselves, and then go get our cold weather gear Monday prior to deployment to the ice very, very early Tuesday, 08 January.

03 January 2008 - Getting Started

2008-01-03T04:30:00.000-08:00

We leave Houston today for Christchurch, New Zealand via Los Angeles and are scheduled to arrive early morning Jan. 5 (NZ time). We are then scheduled to leave from Christchurch for McMurdo Station on Jan. 8 It will be a bit strange to pack for a cold (although summer) Antarctica and a mid-summer New Zealand.