Day 8 Mission Report
Morning Operations
The ILMAH Crew started out the day at just past 0800 CST, after a relatively relaxed Sunday. After breakfast and surveys, the crew began preflight for the first EVA of the week.
EVA Operations
Mission Specialist Pierce and Mission Specialist Lojek conducted the third Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) of a four-part EVA mobility study. Mobility Test 3 (MOB3) consisted of an endurance test of the NDX-2 suit while using trekking poles for balance.
Initial observations of the trekking poles are that they provide some noticeable increase in balance and load distribution while on flat even terrain. Future tests should include uneven terrain as the primary benefit from trekking poles comes from improved efficiency as a result of greater balance.
Mobility Test 3 was called short of the targeted 60 minutes due to CO2 levels rapidly approaching 5000 ppm at around the 50 minute mark. The ambient temperature during this test was notably higher than MOB1 and MOB2. MOB4 will be conducted at an earlier time of the day due to increasing temperatures throughout the week.
Evening Operations
The crew spent the afternoon and evening compiling video and data from today’s EVA and Stress Breathing breaks. The crew also spent time editing content for the APUS ARG Astro YouTube channel and completed a plant module and EVA commentary.
Finally, the crew experienced a “cosmic storm” as severe weather entered the local area late in the evening.
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