Loneliness and Boredom at MDRS:

I was lonely today. Our Sunday started out by no morning crew meeting (as is traditional for our rotation). I missed knowing what everybody was going to be up to. I didn't feel especially useful today. I did, however, get a lot of "work" done (on this day of rest). Some crewmembers took today as a rest break while others continued working at a furious pace (Peter). Getting outside to work on the trails leading to the Musk Observatory and Main Engineering was a big "rose" for me today. The extra sun will help my vitamin D production a bit. But still, it was 1300 (1:00pm) ... the "work" was done ... and I was bored ... a little lonely and bored. I took a nap after a handful of M&M's and laid listening to the scurrying feet around the Hab. Everyone was so busy today ... busy with "their own" stuff. I was hoping that somebody would ask me how I was today. Tonight the sun is setting in our Lunar Analogue, with barometric pressure dropping. Perhaps a little rain is on its way?

Environmental Health & Site Management:

Lessons learned at terrestrial analogue space simulations will help future crews manage Moonbase operations and lesson the environmental impact. Observations and ideas:

• One important question exists, "does increasing sim fidelity increase occupational health and decrease environmental health hazards?"
• The great work of Shannon Rupert and the Double X crew (MDRS Crew #41) is being continued with the new Pressurized Tunnel to the GreenHab.
• By continuing the work on the both simulated and "virtual" pressurized tunnels, we may be reducing the foot traffic around the MDRS area (thus helping the desert to restore itself naturally)
• Crews can minimize the garbage and trash accumulation at MDRS by carefully selecting what personal products to bring to the Habitat, doing pre-mission food re-packaging (in Salt Lake City), and by communicating with their Commander (and Mission Support) what kinds of "donations" they have in mind.
• Consultation with the Remote Science Team and the Engineering Team should be requested when removing old and unused items from the station. However, this should not make crews afraid to remove obviously unused material (e.g. 3-year, sand-encrusted, weathered cardboard).
• Crew #44 did a great job at both using and promoting the use of rechargeable batteries. Should the MDRS/Mars Society food and equipment budge be increased to allow for the proper rotation of batteries an the purchase of new rechargeable batteries?