The NASA SCIFiles

The Case of the Inhabitable Habitat

Segment 4

FADE IN:

INT. DARK ROOM - DAY

STRANGE VOICE

In the conclusion of the case of the inhabitable habitat, you'll be asked how are space trash cans different? How can space trash be dangerous? And what is migration?

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

All of the kids are putting the final touches on the model. The model is composed of three different modules. One contains the living and sleeping area, another contains the plants and water collectors, and the last one is a research module.

JACOB
We only have one more module to go.

R.J. is holding his drawings and checking them with the actual model.

R.J.

The research module connect to the Green house.

CATHERINE
This is really cool. I think I could live there.

BIANCA
For a while anyway. It's almost as nice as the ISS model we saw in Houston.

JACOB
We did a good job guys.

The kids step back to admire the completed model. There is trash all over the floor.

BIANCA
What kind of experiments are we going to work on in the research module?

JACOB
Well, I've decided we should focus on recreation in space. I think we should look into badminton on Mars.

R.J.
With a pogo stick as a possible mode of transportation.

JACOB
(looking around)

First we need to experiment with how to get rid of all of this trash.

KALI
I guess it has gotten a little messy around here.

BIANCA
I wonder what they do with trash in space.

JACOB
I don't know, but I don't think they have garbage trucks.

BIANCA
I bet Ms. Ross knows someone who can help us. I'll contact her and see who we should call.

ANTHONY
And while you do that, we need to get rid of all this trash.

CATHERINE
Make sure you put the paper and plastic in the recycle bins.

INT. TREE HOUSE - LATER

The tree house is much cleaner thanks to all the work of the kids.

KALI
Wow, this looks much better.

JACOB
I never thought building a model would create so much trash.

ANTHONY
I hope it doesn't get that bad on the ISS.

BIANCA
Guys, I found someone that can help us with trash in space.

Mrs. Polanski appears on the plasma screen. The kids all tune in.

INT. ISS MOCK UP - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

Dr. Polanski addresses the Tree House Detectives.

MRS. POLANSKI
Hi, I'm Lisa Polanski, and I work on the International Space Station Program at the Johnson Space Center. What can I do for you today?

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

JACOB
We were wondering how you take out the trash in space.

INT. ISS MOCK UP - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MRS. POLANSKI
On the space station astronauts have trash cans just like we do on Earth. Except they have few differences.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

BIANCA
What kind of differences?

INT. ISS MOCK UP - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MRS. POLANSKI
When you're in a weightless environment the trash has a tendency to float out of the can. So, we have special openings to keep it inside. This way it doesn't bother the astronauts.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

JACOB
Trash is bad enough sitting on the ground. I wouldn't want it floating around everywhere.

INT. ISS MOCK UP - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MRS. POLANSKI
Actually, the astronauts attach the can to the wall so it doesn't float away.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

KALI
At home, I use the three R's; reduce, reuse, and recycle. Do astronauts use these in space.

INT. ISS MOCK UP - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MRS. POLANSKI
Actually, there isn't a whole lot to recycle on the International Space Station. We try and reduce the amount of items that become trash in orbit before we go up.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

BIANCA
How do you do that?

INT. ISS MOCK UP - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MRS. POLANSKI
One of the ways is by using more efficient packing materials. We also reuse the clothing items like the shorts and the pants.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

JACOB
If you did have any trash, couldn't you just launch it into space?

INT. ISS MOCK UP - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MRS. POLANSKI
One of the reasons we don't launch trash into space is because it becomes space trash, and space trash can be very dangerous.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

CATHERINE
How can space trash be dangerous?

INT. ISS MOCK UP - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MRS. POLANSKI
Any trash ejected into space travels at a high rate of speed. At high speeds even the smallest piece can do damage to the vehicle. A piece that is 10 cm long can cause as much damage as 25 sticks of dynamite.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

R.J.
25 sticks of dynamite! That's scary!

KALI
What do you do with the trash cans when they're full?

INT. ISS MOCK UP - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MRS. POLANSKI
When the cans are full we put them in the Russian unmanned vehicle called "Progress." The Progress undocks from the International Space Station and burns up in the Earth's atmosphere. We also use the space shuttle to return hardware that is reusable.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

BIANCA
Wow, that is one way to recycle and reuse.

CATHERINE
I didn't know that the space shuttle could carry trash.

R.J.
That's a lot better than having trash fly all through space.

INT. ISS MOCK UP - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MRS. POLANSKI
That's exactly right.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

BIANCA
Thanks for your help Mrs. Polanski.

INT. ISS MOCK UP - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MRS. POLANSKI
You're Welcome. Anytime.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

The kids finish watching the segment on screen.

JACOB
So they do recycle in space.

R.J.
That means that we definitely have to reduce, recycle and reuse in our habitat.

KALI
It's always a good idea to use the three R's.

BIANCA
Let's get the camera so we can work on our presentation.

Jacob gets out a small digital camera.

ANTHONY
Ok. First, lets look at the living module.

P.O.V. JACOB - CONTINUOUS

Jacob walks closer to the model.

JACOB (O.S.)
Who is going to be our narrator?

Jacob looks at several different kids. He turns to Kali who is at the computer.

JACOB (O.S.)

Come on Kali. Don't you want to be in the presentation?

INT. TREE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Kali at the computer.

KALI
Yes, but I finally got an e-mail back from Mr. Glenn Schuster of Signals of Spring. After doing a little research, I figured out that my hypothesis is wrong. I think Signals of Spring can help me come up with a new hypothesis.

CATHERINE
What's signals of spring?

KALI
Signals of Spring is a project where students use data from NASA and NOAA to track migration patterns of Loggerhead Turtles.

ANTHONY
Now I know what NASA is, but what is NOAA?

KALI
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They are an environmental agency that collects and analyzes data to predict changes in the weather.

JACOB
How are they going to help you?

KAL
I asked Mr. Schuster if fish migrated, and maybe that is the reason that all of the fish are gone.

(to the camera)I think I finally have the answer. My new hypothesis is if the fish have migrated, there would be no fish in the bay.

ANTHONY
What did he say?

KALI
He said that we should contact Burbank Middle School. Mrs. Stewart's class is helping signals of spring track migration patterns of turtles.

BIANCA
That sounds cool. Let's call them up.

KALI
Ok.

Kali dial them up on the computer.

INT. BURBANK MIDDLE SCHOOL - DAY

One of the students, Jacklyn Dane, addresses the camera.

JACKLYN
Hi, my name is Jacklyn Dane and I am in Mrs. Stewart's class at Burbank Middle School in Houston, TX.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

KALI
Hi, I'm Kali, and we're the Tree House Detectives. We think that the fish in the bay at home have migrated.

INT. BURBANK MIDDLE SCHOOL - DAY

JACKLYN
We definitely can help you with migration, especially Loggerhead Turtle migration.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

KALI
What is migration?

INT. BURBANK MIDDLE SCHOOL - DAY

JACKLYN
Migration is movement of animals. Signals of Springs helps us to use NASA real time satellite imagery and maps to understand the migratory patterns of turtles.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

R.J.
Why do turtles migrate?

INT. BURBANK MIDDLE SCHOOL - DAY

JACKLYN
They usually migrate when the temperature changes. Mostly toward the warmer weather.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

CATHERINE
Why do they move toward warmer weather?

INT. BURBANK MIDDLE SCHOOL - DAY

JACKLYN
Their food also migrates, so they follow the food.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

ANTHONY
How many turtles are you tracking?

INT. BURBANK MIDDLE SCHOOL - DAY

JACKLYN
Just one. Our turtle, Marianne, has a sensor glued to her back that sends NASA real time data tracking her location. The data is put on the web site, and we plot the coordinates each week on our map.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

CATHERINE
Where is she now?

INT. BURBANK MIDDLE SCHOOL - DAY

JACKLYN
Right now, she is moving south at 35.4 north and 75.4 west, but when we started she was just off the coast of Virginia.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

R.J.
Cool, that's right near where we live.

KALI
Do turtles always migrate in the same way?

INT. BURBANK MIDDLE SCHOOL - DAY

JACKLYN
No, but they follow similar patterns each year.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

R.J.
Can a change in the environment cause a difference in migration pattern?

INT. BURBANK MIDDLE SCHOOL - DAY

JACKLYN
I think so, but you might want to check with the Virginia Marine Science Museum. They helped us a lot with our project.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

KALI
That's a great idea. Thanks for all of your help.

INT. BURBANK MIDDLE SCHOOL - DAY

JACKLYN
You're welcome. Good luck with your project.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

KALI
I still don't know what happened to make the fish disappear. I better e-mail the Virginia Marine Science Museum. Maybe they can help.

JACOB
Good idea, and after that you can help us with our presentation.

INT. DR. D'S LAB - DAY
Kali, Jacob, Bianca, R.J. and Anthony enter Dr. D's lab. He has completed his terrarium.

JACOB
Hi Dr. D.

DR. D
Welcome Mars Explorers.

JACOB

I see you finished your terrarium.

DR. D

Yes, I'm really pleased with it. I think the terrarium is very close to being in equilibrium.

JACOB

What is equilibrium?

DR. D

It means that everything is in balance. For example, in a balanced system the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by the plants is equal to the carbon dioxide produced by everything else. My completed sealed off terrarium is a self sufficient system.

JACOB

That's great Dr. D. We think that we have this Mars habitat problem solved.

BIANCA

We first had to learn a lot about the Mars environment.

ANTHONY

Yea, we learned that it’s a pretty harsh environment, cold with a sparse atmosphere and hardly any Oxygen. That meant that our habitat had to be entirely self-contained.

R.J.

Except of course for sunlight, which will be a major source of energy.

BIANCA

Don’t forget that we learned that gravity on Mars is only one third as strong as that on the earth.

R.J.

And that we have to watch out for Meteors and wind storms.

ANTHONY

Since there is almost no oxygen on Mars we decided that we had better have lots of plants. They not only provide food, but also oxygen.

BIANCA

That’s right. We had to meet the basic needs of the astronauts of food, water, shelter and oxygen.

R.J.

We also checked into how plants grow in an alien environment.

ANTHONY

I learned that I need to acquire a taste for vegetables since there won’t be any meat!

JACOB

One of our modules includes a trash management facility. There are a lot more than just the four basic needs that need to be met in our habitat.

BIANCA

Our module also had to take into account the adaptations that astronauts will have to make to live on the Mars.

DR. D

Kali, have you gotten any more information on your fish problem?

KALI

I talked to Mrs. Stewart's class, and they told me that migration patterns are usually consistent. So I don't think the fish have migrated.

DR. D

Well, you're probably correct. Otherwise the fish would be missing every year.

KALI

They suggested that I talk to the Virginia Marine Science Museum, and they said that the water in the bay has had an algal bloom? But I don't know what that is.

BIANCA

Let's do an internet search.

Bianca walks over to the computer.

KALI

O.k. Let's pull up a search engine.

BIANCA

Type in the key words, "algae" and "bloom."

KALI

Here's a site that says "Harmful Algae Page."

BIANCA

Click on it and see what they have to say.

While Kali and Bianca are reading, Dr. D explains to the rest of the kids how he completed his terrarium.

JACOB

How does an Algal Bloom make all of the fish disappear?

KALI

It says that algae uses the nutrients in the water to multiply quickly.

BIANCA

It also says that some algae are toxic to fish. That means the fish die.

BIANCA

They can last for a few days or in some cases over a year.

KALI

I hope this one doesn't last that long.

ALL

Me too!

JACOB

Guys, we need to get back to the tree house to watch our presentation on KSNN.

DR. D

I'm proud of you guys. Can't wait to see the presentation. Hey, I've got a present for you. It's a terrarium for your tree house. Try to give lots of indirect sunlight.

ALL

Thanks, Dr. D. Bye.

INT. KSNN NEWS DESK - DAY

KSNN's Ted Tune and IM Lissning are judging the various projects.

TED TUNE

Well, that was certainly a nice looking Martian habitat, but I don't think the judges will approve of the complete lack of bathrooms!

I.M. LISSNING

Ha, Ha, no. I don't think so Ted!

TED TUNE

And next up, the Tree House Detectives, always a strong contender, with their Martian habitat. Here's Bianca with a live report.

FULL SHOT MARS MODEL - DAY

BIANCA (V.O.)

Our habitat has three modules; a laboratory for working and conducting experiments, a living module for eating and sleeping, and finally the green house for all of our food, water and oxygen. And yes, there is even a bathroom.

INT. KSNN NEWS DESK - DAY

I.M. LISSNING

These kids have really done their research Ted.

TED TUNE

Right you are IM. That habitat looks so cool, I'll bet they can't wait to move in! Care to join them IM?

I.M. LISSNING

HA HA! Never in a million years, Ted!

TED TUNE

HA HA,! That's great IM! And we'll be back with more of the Young Astronauts' Parade of Martian Habitats!

I.M. LISSNING

LISSNING Right you are Ted!

EXT. VIRGINIA BEACH - DAY

Kali is walking up the beach again. This time with a full stringer of fish. She sees Jacob fishing up ahead. He hasn't caught anything.

KALI

Hi, Jacob. Caught anything?

JACOB

(frustrated)

I think that algal bloom must still be out there. I haven't caught a thing.

Kali holds up her stringer of fish.

KALI

I don't think so.

JACOB

Well, then mine must have just gotten away.