Highlights from our first day on the Moon! Here are the latest updates from the crew
The first day of the Hana Hou mission ended successfully! The crew’s day was very busy and full of activities in preparation for their landing on the…Moon! The day started on schedule: the astronauts gathered for the last “terrestrial” breakfast. After that, packing procedures began to prepare for departure. Each astronaut was given a limited volume to carry their personal belongings. The crew was also responsible for preparing food supplies for transport. As this is a pilot mission lasting a few days, the crew is fortunate and will have not only dehydrated food but will also have fresh food available.
After the final preparations, the astronauts proceeded to load the shuttle that would take them to the HI-SEAS habitat with everything they needed. With only half an hour delay on the schedule, they then set off for the base. The route between the Blue Planet Energy Lab and the HI-SEAS base is about an hour and thirty, during which the crew was able to appreciate the wonder of the local landscape. Then, as they approached the Base, the landscape became more and more rocky and the ‘terrestrial’ scenery gave way to a desolate ‘Lunar’ landscape. The irregularities of the ground became more and more prominent, and the shuttle’s tires began to struggle to proceed on the way to Lunar Base.
The HI-SEAS habitat then appeared far away, a white dot surrounded only by the volcanic rocky landscape. After packing food supplies, personal belongings and instruments inside the base, the crew familiarized with the systems on board. Following a quick meal and social time with the group, the astronauts prepared for their first EVA. The procedure requires a Cap Com to be present inside the base, while the the rest of the crew is outside. Andrew, the Mission Engineer, served as Cap Com this time. The other six astronauts then prepared by wearing suits, helmets, gloves and technical boots. The astronauts helped each other through the procedure and, once ready, headed to the airlock, where depressurization began. When the system gave its green light, the astronauts ventured outside, stepping onto lunar soil. The first EVA was exploratory and aimed to get familiar with the surroundings of the habitat, so as to learn useful reference points for future EVAs and to check the operation of the equipment.
Once back, the crew debriefed on the extravehicular activity and each astronaut wrote their own EVA report before enjoying dinner all together. Finally, the day ended with the daily Emotional Intelligence training given by Mission Psychologist Celia Avila-Rauch. This time the crew experienced the emotion of Joy through breathing exercises. Following this, each crew member had some individual free time.
The first day of the mission ended successfully and the crew members report positive mood, group dynamics and enthusiasm for the coming days. Stay tuned for our daily updates!
THE EMMIHS 2023 CAMPAIGN IS ORGANIZED AS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN INTERNATIONAL MOONBASE ALLIANCE (IN ITS HI-SEAS HABITAT) AND LUNEX EUROMOONMARS, WITH SUPPORT OF EUROSPACEHUB ACADEMY.
EUROSPACEHUB IS FOUNDED BY VILNIUSTECH, INTERNATIONAL SPACE UNIVERSITY, COMPLUTENSE UNIVERSITY OF MADRID, COLLABWITH, LUNEX FOUNDATIONS AND FUNDED BY THE EIT HEI INITIATIVE LEAD BY EIT MANUFACTURING & EIT RAW MATERIALS.