>From: "Ray Collins" <rc@isecco.org>
>Reply-To: rc@isecco.org
>To: Meeting_notices@isecco.org
>Subject: Life inside Mars Base Zero
>Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 17:08:04 -0500
>
>Life inside Mars Base Zero
>
>Today is my fourth day closed inside Mars Base Zero. I would
>like to share with you my thoughts about life inside so far.
>I have been managing to stay busy and am enjoying my time
>here. The growing space had a number of weeds, especially
>chickweed, so I'm spending time weeding each day. I've done
>all of square C, the trays, the tomato crates, and began
>square D. I straightened up in general. I've been spending
>time each day on the Internet despite the slow connection
>(it's not like I have anywhere else to go). Before going to
>bed, I usually read for awhile.
>
>I also spend a fair amount of time cooking. Since the diet
>is not very calorie dense but very bulky, I have to eat 4-6
>times a day to get enough calories. I am not hungry and eat
>until full. My favorite is potato mashed with broccoli and a
>little onion. I've eaten over 11 pounds of potatoes so far.
>
>I've been boiling a lot of my food, which uses a lot of
>water. I've used 5 gallons so far. I've been using a few
>ways to help lessen the amount of water I'm using. I have
>been draining and keeping the boiling water to reuse. I can
>use the same water about three or four times before it gets
>too starchy. I wash the veggies in a small bowl of water
>rather than rinsing them. I have been changing the wash
>water about twice a day to keep it from getting too dirty. I
>also wash my hands in the same water (it's the same dirt so
>why not?). If my hands are really dirty I wash them in the
>water then quickly rinse them under the bucket tap.
>
>While I am the only person here, I am not alone. Since it
>was open all summer, there are numerous critters inside with
>me. I've seen 3 red backed voles, a mouse, a dark grey
>rodent-like animal about 9 inches long with a stub or no
>tail that I'm not sure what it is since I've only seen it
>from across the garden not close up, even a grey jay managed
>to get in one day through a tear in the plastic. Watching
>them makes great amusement as they scurry around. While the
>rodents have food and seem adjusted to being in here, the
>bird was not. Luckily it managed to find its way back out
>after spending most of a day with me.
>
>One thing I think is especially important when living in a
>closed, small space is exercise. Inside Mars Base Zero, ways
>to get vigorous exercise are limited. Most activities are of
>short duration limited movement, such as weeding and
>harvesting. I can only walk 44 feet in one direction at the
>most and this isn't regular walking since I would have to
>step over a low wall, step up onto the planting area, walk
>along 6 inch boards and around posts then step back down to
>the floor. I do go up and down the loft ladder a lot but
>again that is only short duration since the ladder is about
>9 feet long. To keep fit I have been doing 30-45 minutes of
>exercises, stretching, and yoga each day.
>
>Living on a sailboat this summer gave me good practice in
>living in a small space. I would definatly recommend anyone
>who is to be in a closed enviroment live aboard a sailboat
>first. In fact, the candidates for Biosphere2 spent time
>training aboard the research sailing vessel Helaclitus.
>There are several parallels. First they both have a limited
>amount of room to move in any direction. For the most part
>they are both autonomous for supplies. When you run out its
>gone until getting to port or the end of the study.
>Amusement is limited to what you bring with you and nature
>in the immediate surroundings. Human companionship is only
>the other crew aboard when at sea and during the study.
>Although visitors are allowed at Mars Base Zero they must
>stay outside, which isn't quite the same thing as having
>someone with me since there is a layer of visqueen between
>us. Storage is limited and every item must be throughly
>considered before being allowed in.
>
>So that's a few of my thoughts on living inside Mars Base
>Zero. I am planning on coming out on Friday. I'd be happy to
>address questions, comments, or concerns anyone has about my
>closure, ISECCo or the Mars Base Zero project. Please feel
>free to write me.
>
>-Frankie
>
>
>http://isecco.org
>ISECCo
>PO Box 60885
>Fairbanks, AK 77706
>(907)488-1001
>