The crew awoke at 0800CST beginning their day with daily surveys and breakfast of blueberry pancakes and coffee. They then prepped for their EVA’s today at 1000.
Daily Objectives:
Water Electrolysis
Mission Specialist Loy made significant progress on the use of a platinum electrode as a conductor versus aluminum or copper. He measured the efficiency of a 50mm water solution containing sodium hydroxide at a 50% efficiency rate to that of tap water. Overnight experimentation of electrolyzed tap water yielded results of a solid minerals solution.
Mission Specialist Loy collects hydrogen.
EVA Operations
At 1000CST, the crew began preparations for Commander Lojek and Mission Specialist Guthrie to continue the EVA operations performed yesterday by Mission Specialists Ball and Loy. Guthrie walked 2.6 miles at an average pace of 2.6 mph with no adaptive mobility devices. Statically, MS Guthrie was the most efficient, based upon heart rate and speed. Lojek walked 2.27 miles at an average pace of 2.7 mph also with no adaptive devices. Loy and Ball collected the data. The next portion of the research will begin tomorrow with Mission Specialists Loy and Ball utilizing one adaptive mobility device.
Stress Mitigation Study
Focused-breathing sessions were performed a little later in the day, at 1230 and 1700, with one final one scheduled to be performed at 2100. Stress is continuing to be monitored using the Garmin devices. During data collection today, a technical issue was found which unfortunately showed that some of the data collected prior to the mission cannot be utilized. The glitch was corrected, and data from this point forward is valid.
Humanure Plant Study
An additional 90mL of water was added to all eight plants. The samples consumed all of their water reserves during the previous 24 hours. The light intensity of the greenhouse was reduced by half due to soil hardening.
Other experiments, plants, and exercise
The team also conducted experiments, Mission Specialist Ball watered all of the houseplants for UND, and they all exercised as it’s an important way for them to stay fit.