Mrs. Rath teaches Math: Space Camp - Day 2

Our second day started much like the first with the buses picking us up at 7:00 am and bringing us to breakfast.

Alan and I as space camp twins in front of the Pathfinder

After which crew leader, Michael Kelly, took us though an overview of the two missions we would complete with our teams. He described the different positions of the missions and what was required of each one. We then ranked our top three choices of positions and give them to our crew leaders so they could finalize the plans for our missions.

Next was our Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) class. ECLSS is the life support system used on the International Space Station (ISS). They use this system to control temperature, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, waste management, etc. ECLSS is also used to control, prevent and suppress fires on board the ISS. Fun fact: muscle decay and bone mass loss can take place within a few weeks of being in space. Astronauts can stay on the ISS for months on end. To combat the muscle and bone loss scientists have found that exercise is the best way to maintain normal body function. However, when you exercise you sweat. When you sweat in space the sweat floats around the ISS and makes for a nasty situation. Therefore, astronauts must contain the sweat and recycle it.

Our main focus in ECLSS was Urine Recovery. That's right, astronauts store their urine, process it, and turn it into potable drinking water. Why? Periodically, payloads are sent to the ISS with supplies such as food and items for their experiments. Every pound that is sent to the ISS costs $10,000.A gallon of water weights about 8 pounds. That's $80,000 for each gallon of water that is sent into space. Due to the astronomical cost, astronauts must recycle their urine into drinking water. That was our task. Our "urine" wasn't real but it did contain contaminants such as ice, glitter, cotton, plastic beads and food coloring. We were given the task of creating a filter using a variety of materials. In the end, our sample was tested for acidity, conductivity, and efficiency. Our group used ammo capsules, charcoal, sand (bad idea), coffee filters and a bottle. Our pH level was great and our group recovered the most liquid but our conductivity was terrible. In the end, I'm thankful that Baton Rouge has wonderful tap water and we do not have to recycle our urine! Read more about ECLSS

ECLSS Diagram

Pouring "urine" into the filter

After ECLSS we had a 45 minute break in the day to explore and visit the gift shop. I picked up my new favorite souvenir(besides my flight suit), a space camp Tervis cup!

Next we met up under the Pathfinder, put on our flight suits and took a team photo. We then had lunch and headed over to Area 51, the lower ropes course. The goal of Area 51 was to build teamwork and leadership among our group members. Team Zarya was split into two teams complete the challenges. My group completed two courses, one that was a maze using cinder blocks and three 2x4's and the other was "traffic jam". Both required lots of thinking, planning and strategy. At one point during "traffic jam", Kat used leaves and sticks to represent the group and map out our plan. We really enjoyed our time at Area 51. It was frustrating but satisfying!

Half of Team Zarya at Area 51

Working on the maze

Lowering a hula hoop with two fingers. Harder than it looks.

After Area 51, we went back to the educational building at the US Space and Rocket Center to listen to a Honeywell Ambassador, Lakshmi Vadlapatla. She is an alumni of the space camp program and also a Fulbright Scholar. She spoke of the school that she opened in India and the planning that went into every classroom and common area. Next, Kaci Hines did a short activity called "Save Fred". Fred is an "astronaut" in the form of a gummy worm. His capsule just landed in the ocean and he needs a life preserver. The goal was to retrieve Fred from within the capsule, place him on top, get the life preserver around his body while using only three paperclips to touch him. A great activity to do with kids!

Space Camp Ambassadors with Robert "Hoot" Gibson

After saving "Fred", we had a short meeting with our crew leader, Jen. We discussed our first mission called "Atlantis" and she gave us our positions. I was chosen as flight commander much to my surprise because it wasn't in my top three. However, I was honored that I was chosen and accepted the position with excitement. My job as commander was to work with the pilot, Greg (Poland), to prepare the shuttle for take off, fly the shuttle, maintain control during the EVA's and eventually land the shuttle back on Earth.

After our meeting, we headed over to the simulators and put on our flight suits. We had a short amount of practice time where everyone was to familiarize themselves with their positions and the tasks they needed to perform. The following day would be the "real" simulation. Greg and I were a bit overwhelmed with the amount of switches and toggles that surrounded us! However, our excitement overtook our fear and we just had fun with it. Our crew leader, Jen, pointed out a specific part of the pre-flight checklist that had to be completed in 35 seconds. Greg and I practiced that part at least 5 times and got it down to 43 seconds. Not bad for first timers.

Commander and Pilot during practice for the Atlantis mission

Team Zarya, in front of Zarya from the ISS, before practice for Atlantis

After practice for Atlantis, we went to dinner then had a short meeting regarding our mission patch. Team Leader, Jen, showed us mission patches from Mercury, Gemini, Apolo and the STS missions. She told stories about certain patches and helped us get ideas for our patch design for Team Zarya. Here are some of my favorite patches:

The Mercury 4 mission was commanded by Gus Grissom and took place on July 21, 1961, just a few weeks after Alan Sheppard became the first American in space. Grissom's flight was unique because he was the first astronaut to have a window in the capsule, meaning he could actually see the Earth from space. His flight lasted about 15 minutes before he landed in the Atlantic Ocean. Upon landing the emergency hatch popped open and the Liberty Bell capsule began to sink. Grissom was okay but because of the malfunction of the hatch NASA considered the mission a failure and the Grissom's did not get to meet the president and first lady, as was customary.

The Gemini 5 mission was commanded by Gordon Cooper and piloted by Pete Conrad. This mission took place in 1965 and beat the Russian's record for duration in space. The two men flew for 8 days. The covered wagon on the mission patch symbolized the pioneering nature of the mission. It was also the first mission where astronauts wore the patch on their suits.

The Apollo 11 mission was commanded by Neil Armstrong. The command module pilot was Michael Collins and the lunar module pilot was Buzz Aldrin. Collins designed this patch to represent a "peaceful lunar landing by the United States". This mission took place in July of 1969.

STS-88 was the first Space Shuttle mission to the ISS. It was flown by the Space Shuttle Endeavour and brought the Unity node to dock with Zarya. Zarya is a Russian component to the ISS and the name means "sunrise".

This is my favorite patch because it was designed by my fellow Zarya teammates to represent all 15 members. The sunrise is representative of the team name, Zarya. The rays of the sun represent the flags of the 6 countries within the team. The 6 names of the countries are listed on the rim of the patch. The shape of the patch is a hexagon, representing the 6 countries. "HE@SA 2015" stands for Honeywell Educators at Space Academy in 2015. And, of course, our team name, Zarya, is across the top. There is a special inside joke for Team Zarya on the ray representing the flag of India, WIXIV!

A special thanks to Alan for completing the sketch and final design on computer. Thanks to Steve for sending our design off to be made into real patches!