The NASA SCIFiles

The Case of the Inhabitable Habitat

SEGMENT

FADE IN:

EXT. BUSCH GARDENS - WILLIAMSBURG, VA - DAY

Celebrity guest, JACK HANNA, addresses the camera with a word for kids.

JACK HANNA
Hi, I'm Jack Hanna, and I work with some of the world's most interesting and exciting animals. Some are cute and cuddly, some are scary and dangerous. If you really want to learn more about animals and how they behave, you need to learn about the world in which they live: their habitat. Stay tuned to learn about habitats on this episode of the NASA "Why?" Files: The Case of the Inhabitable Habitat.

NASA "WHY?" FILES OPEN

INT. DARK ROOM - DAY
A strange voice speaks as our case file is opened.

STRANGE VOICE
Join the Tree House Detectives on their latest project. You can help by answering the following questions. Why is Mars called the Red Planet? What is a habitat? And what are the basic needs of plants? Don't Forget, when you see this NASA "Why?" Files logo, the answer is near.

EXT. VIRGINIA BEACH - DAY
Kali is walking along the beach with a fishing pole and an empty stringer.

JACOB (O.S.)

Kali! Kali! Wait up!
Kali turns around as jacob comes running up. He isn't exactly dressed for the beach, and he is slightly out of breath.

KALI
Jacob? What are you doing here? I hope you're not thinking of swimming in those clothes are you?

JACOB
Forget about swimming. You have to get back to the tree house. We have a new project, and you're not going to believe what it is. Come on, let's go.

KALI
I really wanted to catch some fish. I've been trying for several days and I haven't caught any. I wonder if there is a problem with the water.

JACOB
Forget about the fish, we're going to build a habitat for Mars.

Kali looks at jacob with concern.

KALI
How long have you been in the sun? I think you need some rest.

JACOB
I'm fine, but we have a lot to do. We better get back to the tree house. Come on!

Jacob starts running toward the paths leaving the beach. Kali, reluctantly begins to follow jacob.

KALI
O.k., but I still want to know what is wrong with the fish.

ANIMATION: KSNN SHOW OPEN

INT. KSNN NEWS DESK - DAY

Ted tunes sits faithfully behind his news desk as he prepares to deliver the latest story.

TED TUNE

I’m Ted Tune and Kids Science News Network is interrupting this broadcast for an exciting bulletin. The Young Astronauts are at it again, this time with a contest that’s out of this world! For details we go to our spaced-out correspondent IM Lissning, who’s live on-(pause) Is this right? She’s live on MARS!?

INT. KSNN STUDIO - DAY

I.M. Lissning is talking to her makeup person. They are both standing in front of a blank nondescript background.

I.M. LISSNING

But how is my lipstick going to show if everything is red? I just don’t- We’re on? We’re on!!

I.M. Lissning immediately turns to camera to deliver her standup. THE ENTIRE SCENE IS suddenly TINTED RED LIKE THE PLANET MARS.

ROUND CARDBOARD CUTOUTS LABELED "EARTH" AND "MOON" ARE lowered from off camera OVER HER LEFT AND RIGHT SHOULDERs RESPECTIVELY. The makeup person puts a SPACE HELMET over I.M.'s head and quickly exits.

I.M. LISSNING
That's right Ted, Mars. I’m here live on the Red Planet, an entirely new environment with new and exciting challenges. Perhaps the greatest challenge being simply to survive. Do you have what it takes to build a model of a Mars Habitat? If so, visit the NASA "Why?" Files web site for all the details and get to work. Be the first kid on your block to discover what life is really like on Mars and win a trip to the Red Planet. Back to you, Ted.

INT. KSNN NEWS DESK - DAY
Ted continues his broadcast.

TED TUNE
Mm hmm. Yes, well, that was IM Lissning. (pause) On Mars. This is Ted Tune, on EARTH, signing off.

CLOSING ANIMATION.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY
All eyes are focused on the television as the KSNN broadcast comes to a close.

ANTHONY, and R.J. are sitting close to the television, while BIANCA and CATHERINE are at the computer.

ANTHONY
Awesome. Can you imagine living on the planet Mars for a year?

CATHERINE
I don't know. It seems great, but living on another planet could be very difficult.

R.J.
If I can live with my little sister, living on Mars should be easy.

Jacob and kali enter the tree house. Jacob is carrying a box of materials for the mars habitat.

BIANCA
Hi, Jacob, hi, Kali. Did you have any luck at the beach?

KALI
I haven't caught a single fish in weeks. Something is definitely wrong, but I can't figure it out.

CATHERINE
That seems strange.

R.J.
What's in the box, Jacob?

JACOB
I brought some stuff from home for our Mars model.

Jacob puts his box down on the table. Anthony, R.J., and Kali gather to examine the contents.

BIANCA BEGINS TYPING ON THE COMPUTER.

BIANCA
Have you heard about our latest project?

KALI
Yeah, Jacob told me all about it. How are we going to build a habitat for Mars?

JACOB
Check this out.

Jacob pulls a cylindrical container out of the box.

JACOB
This will be the recreation module. It will hold the ping-pong and air hockey tables. Plus it will have a garage space for...

BIANCA
I think you guys are getting ahead of yourselves.

CATHERINE
Do we even know what we will need to live on Mars?

BIANCA
Remember, what we learned from the Invention Contest. We need to do a lot of research and design before we actually begin building a model.

JACOB
She is right. That's the iterative process!

Anthony, R.J., and Jacob continue looking at some of the strange things that Jacob has brought.

JACOB
Where should we start?

CATHERINE
KSNN said that we could find out more about the project on the NASA "Why?" Files web site.

Bianca typing at the computer.

BIANCA
I'm on the web site right now.

JACOB
What does it say?

FULL SHOT - GRAPHIC

The following guidelines are presented graphically:

BIANCA (O.S.)
First, the habitat must meet basic needs to sustain human life on Mars. And the model must be divided into three separate sections. Also, the habitat must utilize sunlight as a major source of energy. And experiments must be planned for the trip and for Mars.

BACK TO SCENE

R.J.
Wow. Sounds complicated. Where do we begin?

CATHERINE
We begin with the scientific method.

ANTHONY
Or scientific inquiry.

R.J.
I know that we used the scientific method to solve other mysteries, but how will it help us build a model?

JACOB
It doesn't matter whether you are solving a mystery or building a model, the scientific method is a great tool to use.

CATHERINE
I am sure we can talk to a lot of experts at NASA about Mars and space.

KALI
And fish. Maybe we will talk to someone who knows about fish habitats and they can explain why I haven't caught any fish lately.

BIANCA
Great. Let's go to the problem board.

INT. TREE HOUSE - THE PROBLEM BOARD -- MOMENTS LATER

Bianca is at the problem board. Kali and Catherine are sitting with the three boys. All of them are working with some of the things that Jacob brought for the model.

BIANCA
O.K. We know that we need to build a habitat that will sustain life on Mars. What do we need to know?

CATHERINE
We need to find out what Mars is like.

R.J.
Right, like is it hot or cold?

ANTHONY
And is there anything there we can eat?

The boys laugh.

KALI
It's kind of like planning for a vacation.

CATHERINE
I don't think that going to Mars is the same as a vacation, but you're right, you have to know something about the place you are going.

BIANCA
So, where do we start?

JACOB
I'm sure that NASA has lots of information on Mars.

ANTHONY
I'll check out the NASA Langley Research Center's web site. They've done a lot of research on Mars.

Anthony gets up and heads for the computer.

BIANCA
Great, we should also visit the library and check out some books on Mars.

R.J.
I have some books on planets and the solar system at home. I might even have an "M" encyclopedia in my backpack.

R.J. goes to check out his backpack.

JACOB
Are you serious?

R.J.
You never know when you might need an encyclopedia.

CATHERINE
(still amazed at R.J.)

NASA has had several unmanned missions to Mars. I am sure they will have lots of experts.

KALI
With their help, this project should be easy.

R.J. pulls out an encyclopedia.

R.J.
Yep, here it is.

R.J. begins flipping through the heavy volume as he sits back down.

R.J.
(reading)
It says here that the average temperature is -63 degrees Celsius.

KALI
I always thought that it would be hot.

BIANCA
It looks hot because of its red color, but it is further from the Sun than we are.

CATHERINE
We will have to make sure that the habitat has a very big heater.

JACOB
One heavy duty heater coming up.

Jacob pulls out more junk from his box.

R.J.
(still reading)
Actually, the average is -23ý degrees celsius, but the low is -140 and the high is 20 degrees celsius.

ANTHONY
You were right Catherine, there are all kinds of articles about Mars on the NASA web site.

Bianca walks over to the computer.

BIANCA
Here's one about a Mars plane by Dr. Levine. He's a friend of my mom's. Let's e-mail him, and see if he can help us.

KALI
Print off a "Get Up and Go" sheet to take with us.

(turns to camera) You can go to the NASA "Why?" Files web site to the Research Rack and print your own "Get Up and Go" sheet.

R.J.
I'd love to talk to Dr. Levine about Mars.

KALI
Great! Let's get up and go.

INT. NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER - LEVINE'S OFFICE -- DAY

Kali and R.J. enter Dr. Levine's research area.

R.J.
Hi, are you Mr. Levine?

DR. LEVINE
Yes, and you must be the tree house detectives. I understand you want to learn more about Mars.

R.J.
That's right. We are designing a habitat that will sustain life on Mars.

KALI
So we figured we needed to learn more about the Red planet.

DR. LEVINE
Well, you’ve come to the right place. Mars is a very inhospitable planet, and you must be prepared.

R.J.
What's it like on Mars?

DR. LEVINE
Let’s take a look.

He turns on a large screen shot of Mars

DR. LEVINE
Mars is a very different from Earth. No trees, no flowers, no animals. Mars is a very desolate planet.

KALI
Why do they call it the Red Planet?

DR. LEVINE
The surface of Mars contains large amounts of rusty iron that give Mars its reddish color. In addition, strong winds blow surface material up in the atmosphere giving the atmosphere a reddish pink color.

R.J.
Does Mars have land features like Earth?

DR. LEVINE
Yes, Mars has low lands, mountainous highlands. Mars has the the largest volcano in the solar system and longest canyon in the solar system.

KALI
I've seen the Grand Canyon here on Earth and that is pretty big!

DR. LEVINE
Oh, it’s far bigger than the Grand Canyon. The Marinaras Valley on Mars is about 3000 miles long… about the same distance as a trip from New York to Los Angeles.

R.J.
What kind of atmosphere does Mars have?

DR. LEVINE
The atmosphere of Mars is very thin. It's cold and it's dry. The atmosphere of Mars is only about 1/200 the thickness of the Earth's atmosphere.

KALI
Is there oxygen like here on Earth?

DR. LEVINE
No, the atmosphere on Mars is 95% carbon dioxide, 3% nitrogen, and 2% argon.

R.J.
We will definitely need to bring our own oxygen.

KALI
How do we know so much about Mars?

DR. LEVINE
Over the last 30 years NASA has sent a number of spacecraft to Mars to study the planet. Here at the NASA Langley Research Center we are looking into the possibility of sending the first robotic airplane to Mars.

R.J.
That would so cool!

DR. LEVINE
Would you like to see what our plane would look like flying through the atmosphere of Mars.

KALI
That would be great.

DR. LEVINE
Check this out.

Dr. Levine begins showing the footage of the Mars plane.

R.J.
Wow!

KALI
Thanks Dr. Levine.

R.J.
You have given us a lot to consider about our habitat.

DR. LEVINE
You’re welcome. Anytime.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

Catherine and Anthony are working with some of the items that Jacob had brought earlier. R.J. is working on some drawings at the table.

Bianca and Jacob enter the tree house.

CATHERINE
How was Dr. Levine?

JACOB
He was great.

BIANCA
You wouldn't believe all of the different missions NASA has sent to Mars.

JACOB
I'll enter all the details from our "Get up and Go sheet into the computer.

BIANCA
That's a good idea. Wait unit you read what we learned. I couldn't believe how different Mars is from Earth.

JACOB
Yeah, not only is it much colder, but the atmosphere is almost all carbon dioxide. So you can't breathe it at all.

KALI
And there is no food or water on the planet.

BIANCA
It doesn't sound very inviting.

R.J.
It sounds like we have a lot of things to consider before we design a habitat.

BIANCA
First we have to figure out exactly what we will need to bring.

CATHERINE
Exactly. And to do that, we need to learn what makes a habitat.

KALI
Catherine, Bianca and I are going to visit Busch Gardens Discovery Cove in Orlando, Fl. I'm sure they could tell us a lot about habitats.

Bianca heads for the computer.

BIANCA
I'll e-mail them and see if we could meet with one of their experts on habitats while we're down there.

R.J.
Great! Anthony and I will do some more research. I think we are going to do lots of research!

JACOB
And I will work on getting some materials together so we can design our habitat.

KALI
Maybe, the experts at Discovery Cove can help me figure out why all the fish are gone from the bay. We had better print off a couple of those "Get Up and Go" sheets!

The group breaks up.

EXT. DISCOVERY COVE - ESTABLISHING SHOT - DAY

Bianca, Catherine, and Kali, the Tree House Detectives are set to explore the discovery Cove. They are all dressed ready to swim.

Series of shots:

A) The THDs check out the different areas of the park.

B) The THDs wade with the stingrays in the Stingray pool.

C) The THDs walk through the aviary

D) The Thds swim in the coral reef pool.

EXT. DISCOVERY COVE - CORAL POOL - DAY

The THDs are waiting to meet an expert about habitats.

CATHERINE
Wow, this park is so cool.

KALI
I can't believe how many different habitats they have here.

BIANCA
I know, we've seen the stingray pools, the bird aviary, and the coral reefs.

Our expert walks up to the kids as they are talking about the park.

LAURA STEVENS

Hi kids, my name is Laura. You must be the Tree House Detectives. How can I help you?

CATHERINE
Yes, we are, and we need to learn more about habitats.

LAURA STEVENS

Well you've come to the right place, Busch Gardens Discover cove has over 7 different habitats represented with over 300 species.

BIANCA
Wow, that's a lot of different habitats.

KALI
What exactly is a habitat?

LAURA STEVENS

A habitats is an environment that provides the basic necessities to sustain life. Things like food, water and even shelter.

CATHERINE
What are some different types of habitats?

LAURA STEVENS

Different habitats are things like our tropical reef habitat. We even have a stingray lagoon. But out in the wild, things like the desert, forests and even ponds.

BIANCA
Ok. All habitats have to meet basic needs, but is there anything else that makes them different?

LAURA STEVENS

Sure, the types of animals and plants that actually live within the habitat make all the difference in the world. You might consider the animals that live in a tropical reef totally different than ones in a rain forest. But even within a rain forest you're going to have different habitats like the canopy or even the floor of the forests. Different animals will live in different areas depending on what they need to eat, what types of predators live in the area, and how they are capable of climbing or flying.

KALI
We've noticed that there are no fish in the bay back home. Could the fish have moved to a new habitat?

LAURA STEVENS

Yes, fish will move throughout their lifetime depending on their needs. They may move for feeding or even their breeding behavior. I have a friend that works with Signals of Springs. He works with sea turtles and studies their migratory patterns. Maybe he could help you with your fish problem.

KALI
That would be great. Could you e-mail his/her name and number?

LAURA STEVENS

Sure, no problem. If you want to really experience a different habitat, you have to swim with the dolphins.

CATHERINE
We can swim with the dolphins?

BIANCA
That is awesome.

LAURA STEVENS

Come on, I'll show you our dolphin cove.

EXT. DISCOVERY COVE - DOLPHIN COVE - DAY

The THDs swim and interact with a dolphin and a trainer.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

R.J., Anthony, and Jacob are working on one of the modules.

Bianca and Kali enter the tree house.

KALI
(looking at the model)

Hey, that looks pretty good. What is it?

ANTHONY
After we got your e-mail about basic needs, we decided that we better get back to basics.

JACOB
So we are working on building three different modules to provide the basic needs of air, food, water, and shelter.

R.J.
But we are having some problems.

JACOB
It doesn't seem to work to have all of the modules separate.

ANTHONY
According to my calculations, we probably need three modules just to store water.

KALI
We should call Dr. D. He might be able to help. I've been wanting to ask him about the fish too.

Bianca calls on a cordless phone.

Bianca dials the number.

SPLIT SCREEN: TREE HOUSE - DAY/ DR. D'S LAB - SAME DAY

Both Bianca waits on the phone as Dr. D's Phone begins to ring. Even though his hands are dirty, he picks up.

DR. D
(holding the phone delicately)

Hello.

BIANCA
Hello, Dr. D? This is Bianca.

DR. D
Hi Bianca, what can I do for you?

BIANCA
We were wondering if you could help us out with our latest project. We are trying to build a habitat on Mars.

DR. D
Sure, come on over. I'm working on a new terrarium myself. Perhaps we can help each other.

BIANCA
Great. We'll be right over. Bye.

DR. D
Bye.

INT. DR. D'S LAB - DAY

Five of the Tree House Detectives enter Dr. D's lab. He is busy working on his terrarium.

ALL

(to Dr. D)

Hi Dr. D.

DR. D
Hi kids.

BIANCA
Is that the terrarium that you mentioned on the phone?

DR. D
Yes it is. A terrarium is clear container filled with small plants. Sometimes it is open to the atmosphere, but mine is going to be tightly closed. Its really tricky to make sure that all of the basic needs of the plants will be met after I seal it off.

KALI
We’ve learned about basic needs for people and animals like food, air, shelter and water.

DR. D
What are the basic needs of plants?

BIANCA
I'm sure they need water

KALI
They also need food.

DR. D
That's right. The most basic food of plants is the carbon dioxide in the air.

R.J.
Plants also need sunlight to grow.

DR. D
You bet. If my terrarium is going to be successful it must meet all these needs. Hey, I understand that you need help in designing a model of a habitat for Mars.

ANTHONY
We’re having trouble getting started.

DR. D
A good place to start is to understand your problem by gathering information.

KALI
You mean just like the scientific method?

DR. D
That’s right. What do you know about the atmosphere of Mars?

R.J.
We learned that it is mostly carbon dioxide, with almost no oxygen.

DR. D
Not only that, but the atmosphere is very thin. Kind of like a partial vacuum. So in addition to not being able to breathe the atmosphere, there are some other problems.

ANTHONY
What do you mean?

DR. D
Let me show you with this vacuum pump.

Dr. D and the THDs walk over to the work table.

DR. D
Here feel this water. What does it feel like?

BIANCA
It's warm but not very hot.

DR. D
I’m going to put this water in the bell jar of the vacuum pump, and take most of the air out of it. Lets see what happens.

KALI
Wow. The water is boiling. Does that mean that it is hot.

DR. D
Lets find out.

ANTHONY
Its even cooler than before.

DR. D
That's right. The water boiled not because it was hot, but because the air was so thin. On Mars you can have ice or water vapor, but any liquid water would simply boil away or freeze.

JACOB
I guess that our habitat had better have a denser atmosphere than Mars.

KALI
Thanks Dr. D. Oh by the way, I am also concerned about why the Fish seem to be missing from my favorite fishing spot.

DR. D
Maybe you should have the water tested. You might also want to contact Ranger Kertesz at Sandy Bottom Nature Park. He might be able to help you.

KALI
Thanks Dr. D. Bye.

WHAT'S UP SEGMENT

NARATOR

So, What's up? Is Mars too harsh an environment for exploration? Will the Tree House Detectives be able to take enough food to Mars? What happened to the fish in the bay? Find out in the next excited chapter of the case of the Inhabitable Habitat.

SEGMENT

FADE IN:

INT. DARK ROOM - DAY

A strange voice speaks as our case file is opened.

STRANGE VOICE

In part two of the case of the inhabitable habitat you'll discover what is a food web? What is transpiration? And Why does NASA want students to grow plants?

EXT. SANDY BOTTOM PARK - DAY

Kali is walking through the Park. Ranger Kertesz rides up on his ATV

KALI
Hello, Ranger Kertesz.

Ranger Kertesz puts down his tools.

RANGER KERTESZ

Hi, Kali. Dr. D said that you would be coming to visit. What can I do for you today?

KALI
I am concerned about the fish in the bay. No one has been catching any fish for a long time. I am trying to find out what happened to them.

RANGER KERTESZ

What do you think happened to them?

KALI
I don't know, but I was wondering if it is because they don't have enough food to eat.

RANGER KERTESZ

Possibly. Have you checked to see if anything has disrupted the food web?

KALI
What's a food web?

RANGER KERTESZ
Organisms that live together in an area are often referred to as a community. All of the organisms in the community depend on each other in some way for their survival and this dependence is called the food web.

KALI
How do they depend on each other?

RANGER KERTESZ

In a typical community you find producer, consumers, and decomposers. Plants, algae and, in the water, phytoplankton are the producers that use energy contained in light to convert carbon dioxide, water and minerals into food. This process is called photosynthesis.

KALI
What are consumers?

RANGER KERTESZ
Organisms that feed upon other organisms are called consumers. There are three types of consumers. Do you know what they are?

KALI
I remember that one is a herbivore. They only eat plants. Another one is a carnivore, and they only eat other animals.

RANGER KERTESZ

That's right and an omnivore is a consumer that eats both plants and animals.

KALI
I guess that makes me an omnivore.

RANGER KERTESZ
You can see how they all depend on each other. If the plants did not exist, the herbivores would not have anything to eat and they would not survive.

KALI
And if herbivores didn't survive, the carnivores would have nothing to eat.

RANGER KERTESZ

That's right. You catch on quick.

KALI
What are decomposers?

RANGER KERTESZ
In order for a community to be successful, there must be a way to return the minerals and other basic ingredients back to the producers. The decomposers do this.

KALI
How do they do that?

RANGER KERTESZ
Decomposers, bacteria, fungi feed on dead producers and consumers and they convert them back into the basic material needed by producers to grow and reproduce.

KALI
It's a cycle.

RANGER KERTESZ
That is correct. So you might want to check out the ocean and see if there is anything that has caused a change in the cycle of the food web.

KALI
That's a great idea. Thanks.

RANGER KERTESZ
Oh, by the way. Would you mind taking a couple of plants to Dr. D for me. They are for his new terrarium

KALI
No problem. I'd be glad to.

INT. DR. D'S LAB - DAY

Kali, Bianca, R.J., and Anthony enter Dr. D's lab. He is busy working on his terrarium.

KALI
Hey Dr. D, look what we brought.

DR. D
Terrific. Looks like you have something for my terrarium.

KALI
Ranger Kertesz from Sandy Bottom Park asked me to bring them to you.

DR. D
Great! My terrarium is coming along pretty good. I am trying to be careful to put plants in it that all require the same conditions.

BIANCA
Can you tell us more about how a terrarium works?

DR. D
Sure, my sealed terrarium must be entirely self-sufficient. Since it is sealed, the only thing that can come into the terrarium is light.

ANTHONY
We already learned light is a basic need of plants.

DR. D
The water gets recycled, because when the plants give it off in a process called transpiration, it collects on the glass and then runs down the sides back into the ground where it can be absorbed by the roots and reused.

R.J.
Wow. That’s pretty neat.

DR. D
We already talked about how the plants use carbon dioxide. Plants consume carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, but what replaced the carbon dioxide so that the plants won’t die?

BIANCA
Well, animals breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, but obviously there aren't any animals in there.

DR. D
That's true, but there are decomposers in the soil, like bacteria and fungi. They also consume carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. They also break apart dead material into the nutrients that the plant needs.

ANTHONY
It looks like everything gets recycled.

DR. D
It turns out that plants themselves also use oxygen to produce the energy that they need. This is a process called respiration, but plants produce more oxygen than they will consume in respiration.

ANTHONY
I’m glad about that.

R.J.
A lot is going on in that terrarium.

BIANCA
It would be great if can make our Mars habitat as self-sufficient as your terrarium.

R.J.
Yeah. Just add sunlight.

ANTHONY
We’ve got to get going. We’ve got a lot of work to do.

ALL

Thanks Dr. D.

DR. D
Bye.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

Jacob, Bianca, and Kali are working on a version of the model at a table in the tree house. There are materials all over the place. It is a mess.

Anthony is working at the computer. R.J. is reading a book on Habitats.

JACOB
I don't think this is working.

R.J.
We can't take enough food with us.

JACOB
We have to find a food source. A food web.

KALI
Ranger Kertesz did say that the food web is important, but how are we going to create a food web on Mars? Hmm, maybe there's a problem with the food web in the bay. Maybe pollution upset it. That should be my hypothesis. If pollution upset the food web in the bay, then the fish would leave.

ANTHONY
People create habitats all the time. Like Discovery Cove and even Dr. D's terrarium.

JACOB
That's true. All we really need is to find a way to create food in our habitat.

R.J.
Maybe we could grow our own food.

JACOB
That's a good idea and plants create oxygen. We will need air.

ANTHONY
Lots of it!

BIANCA
Guys, we don't even know if you can grow plants in space. We need to do some more research.

ANTHONY
(together, matter of factly)

The problem board.

Bianca and Jacob walk over to the problem board. Catherine takes the lead.

BIANCA
O.K. We know that all plants and animals have basic needs. We also know that all habitats rely on the food web to keep them working. And plants are a big part of a human's food web. So, we need to know if plants can be grown in space.

Anthony is busy typing away at the computer.

JACOB
Anthony, can check the Internet.

Anthony types some more. Bianca enters the tree house.

ANTHONY
I found something that might help. Mr. John Gruener at Johnson Space Center is working with plants for the International Space Station. Let's dial him up and ask about growing plants in space.

Catherine and Jacob move closer to the Plasma screen to get a better view.

Mr. John Gruener appears in his laboratory at Johnson Space Center.

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

Mr. Gruener stands in the middle of his lab of plants that he is growing for a new mission.

MR. GRUENER
Hi, kids, I'm Mr. Gruener. How can I help you?

INT. TREE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

CATHERINE
Hi, Mr. Gruener. We're the tree house detectives, and we are trying to design a Martian habitat.

BIANCA
And we realize that we will need to grow our own food on Mars.

JACOB
Yeah, because we don't want to go hungry, but we need to know if plants grow differently in space than here on Earth.

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MR. GRUENER
Well, sort of. Even in space, plants still need the basics such as light, water, nutrients, and a nice temperature and humidity.

INT. TREE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

R.J.
We know that it is extremely cold on Mars.

KALI
And that Mars doesn't have the same atmosphere as Earth.

R.J.
So does that mean we can't grow any plants on Mars?

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MR. GRUENER
No, it just means that you would have to grow them indoors in a controlled environment.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

BIANCA
How do you do that?

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MR. GRUENER
Here at NASA, we design and build plant growth chambers or systems to meet the plants basic needs. Like these here.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

JACOB
Do you have to use special seeds to grow plants in space?

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER -DAY

MR. GRUENER
No, we use the same seeds as here on Earth. However, we conduct experiments and collect data to see what effect low gravity and increased radiation has on the way plants produce seeds.

INT. TREE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

BIANCA
Why is that important?

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MR. GRUENER
We want to make sure that the plants can reproduce in space. This will help astronauts who live in space for a long time.

INT. TREE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

KALI
Do the seeds produced in space grow here on Earth?

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MR. GRUENER
Yes, they are able to germinate and grow into new plants just fine.

INT. TREE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

R.J.
Do you only use plants in space for food?

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MR. GRUENER
No, we also hope to use plants to produce oxygen and water.

INT. TREE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

ANTHONY
They make oxygen?

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MR. GRUENER
That's right, during a process called photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.

INT. TREE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

KALI
And we breathe oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide.

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MR. GRUENER
That's right. So plants and people can live very well together trading gases.

INT. TREE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

BIANCA
OK, I can understand that, but how do they produce water?

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MR. GRUENER
Through a process called transpiration.

INT. TREE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

R.J.
What's trans---pira--tion?

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MR. GRUENER
When a plant transpires, it releases a tiny amount of water that evaporates into the atmosphere. It can then be collected and turned back into liquid water by using a cold surface.

INT. TREE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

BIANCA
Oh, just like the water droplets on the outside of my glass of ice water.

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MR. GRUENER
That's right. It's called condensation.

INT. TREE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

JACOB
I guess it is important to be able to produce oxygen and water since it takes a long time to get to Mars.

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MR. GRUENER
You bet it is, it would be very expensive to send space vehicles to resupply the habitat. Therefore,it is very important to make the habitat as self-sufficient as possible.

INT. TREE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

BIANCA
What kind of plants are you growing in your lab?

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

DR. GRUENER
We are currently experimenting with grains such as wheat and rice, legumes like peanuts and peas, potatoes, fruits, and salad crops.

INT. TREE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

KALI
I love salads.

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MR. GRUENER
That's good because right now there are no plans to produce any meat.

INT. TREE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

ANTHONY
I don't like just vegetables.

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MR. GRUENER
Meat will be available probably in packaged form, but in very small quantities. However, you can make a lot of good foods from fruits and vegetables.

INT. TREE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

R.J.
Like what?

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MR. GRUENER
Well, like peanut butter from peanuts, jelly from strawberries, tortillas from wheat, potato chips from potatoes. You could even make a pizza!

INT. TREE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

R.J.
Now you're talking. That sounds like my kind of meal.

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MR. GRUENER
Just like here on Earth, the most important thing is to eat a balanced and nutritious diet.

INT. TREE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

JACOB
That's true. My mom tells me that all the time.

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

MR. GRUENER
Would you like to see us harvest some carrots from our chambers?

INT. TREE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

ALL IN UNISON

Yes!

INT. MR. JOHN GRUENER'S LAB - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER - DAY

KIDS

MR. GRUENER
Good luck with your project kids.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

BIANCA
I can't believe that they actually grow plants in space for food.

JACOB
And oxygen.

R.J.
We definitely need to grow plants in our habitat.

ANTHONY
I read on the internet that some experiments on the ISS are done by kids. We should check and see if any one in the NASA "Why?" Files Kids Club grew control plants.

KALI
Maybe we can grow our own plants for our model.

JACOB
They would have to be pretty small for the model.

ANTHONY
Mrs. Schwartz's class at Kemp Mill Elementary school in Silver Springs, MD participated. Check it out.

The image of Mrs. Schwartz's class appears on the plasma screen. All of the kids watch.

INT. MS. SCHWARTZ'S CLASSROOM -- DAY

A student stands in the classroom and addresses the camera.

STUDENT
Hi, I'm Bowie and I am in Ms. Schwartz's fourth grade class at Kemp Mill Elementary School in Silver Springs, MD.

INT. TREE HOUSE -- DAY

The Tree House Detectives are interviewing the student from their tree house.

BIANCA
Hi, we read on the interet that you are participating in a NASA project with space seeds.

INT. MS. SCHWARTZ'S CLASSROOM -- DAY

BOWIE
Yes, we are growing Arabidopsis plants.

INT. TREE HOUSE -- DAY

R.J.
What are Arab--I--dop--sis plants?

INT. MS. SCHWARTZ'S CLASSROOM -- DAY

BOWIE
They are more commonly known as mustard weed. It has a life cycle of only 6 weeks from seed to seed.

BOWIE
It is also easy to grow in small places and it produces a lot of seeds. That makes it a great test plant to be grown in space.

INT. TREE HOUSE -- DAY

THD

How did you get the space seeds?

INT. MS. SCHWARTZ'S CLASSROOM -- DAY

BOWIE
We participate in the NASA experiment through a company called Space Explorers, Inc. They get the seeds from NASA and distribute the seeds to teachers who have signed up for the program.

INT. TREE HOUSE -- DAY

KALI
Why does NASA want students to grow these plants on Earth?

INT. MS. SCHWARTZ'S CLASSROOM -- DAY

BOWIE
Whenever you are doing an experiment, you have to have a control group. We grow plants as the control group for the experiment on the International Space Station.

INT. TREE HOUSE -- DAY

R.J.
We know about controls from the scientific method.

INT. MS. SCHWARTZ'S CLASSROOM -- DAY

BOWIE
We measure the plants as they grow and keep accurate records. This gives NASA a reference point of "normal" growth and reproduction to compare to with the plants grown on the International Space Station.

INT. TREE HOUSE -- DAY

KALI
Why is that important?

INT. MS. SCHWARTZ'S CLASSROOM -- DAY

BOWIE
Scientists need to make sure that the plants are growing and producing just like the do on Earth.

INT. TREE HOUSE -- DAY

ANTHONY
Is there anything else that the plants do for astronauts in space?

INT. MS. SCHWARTZ'S CLASSROOM -- DAY

BOWIE
Yes, they help to create a bio-regenerative life support system.

INT. TREE HOUSE -- DAY

JACOB
What is that?

INT. MS. SCHWARTZ'S CLASSROOM -- DAY

BOWIE
It's a system that uses plants rather than machines. The plants will release oxygen, help recycle drinking water, and create water vapor through transpiration.

INT. TREE HOUSE -- DAY

R.J.
Just like Mr. Gruener mentioned.

ANTHONY
We definitely need a bio-regenerative system in our habitat.

BIANCA
Thanks for telling us about your project.

INT. MS. SCHWARTZ'S CLASSROOM -- DAY

BOWIE
You're welcome. Good luck on your project.

ANTHONY
That is so cool.

JACOB
So, we know we can grow plants as a source of food and oxygen.

CATHERINE
NASA sure is doing a lot of research on living and working in space.

BIANCA
My Mom and I are going down to Johnson Space Center in Houston. Maybe I can do some more research while I'm there.

ANTHONY
I've never been to Johnson. I would love to check it out.

BIANCA
I'll call my mom and see if you can go with us.

WHAT'S UP SEGMENT

NARATOR

So What's Up? Will living on Mars require any special training? What will Bianca and Anthony learn at Johnson Space Center? Did pollution kill all the fish in the bay? Don't leave the planet. Stick around for the next segment of the case of the inhabitable habitat.

Segment Three

FADE IN:

INT. DARK ROOM - DAY

STRANGE VOICE

Pay close attention and you'll learn the following. What is the KC-135 used for? What is Neutral Buoyancy? And what does a space suit protect astronauts from?

INT. TREE HOUSE -- DAY

Kali and Jacob are working on the Mars model. Next to them is a somewhat elaborate looking badminton set with weights etc.

R.J. enters. He notices the work at the table.

R.J.
Hey guys.

JACOB
Hey, R.J.
R.J.
What in the world is that?

JACOB
You mean, what in the "Mars" is that? Actually, it's a badminton set.

R.J. picks up the raquet.

R.J.
That's heavy! How are you going to play badminton with this.

JACOB
Well, on Mars there is less gravity. So the racket needs to be heavy. This is part of the experiments we are going to be doing on Mars.

R.J.
We could be the first ones to play badminton on Mars.

JACOB
Exactly.

R.J.
Any luck with your fish problem?

KALI
Yes, I heard back from the EPA.

(to the camera)
That's the Environmental Protection Agency.

KALI(back to the gang)
They said that the water in the bay wasn't polluted and the temperature is normal for this time of year. So I'm still confused.

CATHERINE
Don't worry. I'm sure you'll figure it out.

R.J.
Hey guys, KSNN is on.

INT. KSNN STUDIO -- DAY

Ted Tunes sits at the news desk. He issues the following statement.

TED TUNE
Well, ladies and gentlemen, I’ve been told that IM Lissning was not actually ON Mars yesterday, but was participating in a simulation of living on Mars. For this stunt - I mean, experiment, she has now been sealed in a simulated Martian Habitat where she will experience what it will be like for astronauts to live on another world. We join her now for a live report. IM? How’s it going?

IM Lissning appears on a monitor next to Ted.

I.M. LISSNING
Ted, you’ve got to get me out of here! I’m down to a packet of Tang and 2 stalks of celery! I can’t take it anymore!

TED TUNE
But you’ve only been in there for (checks watch)15 minutes! And you had enough food for a week!

I.M. LISSNING

TED! HELP ME TED!

TED TUNE

There you have it folks. It looks like it’s going to take more effort than locking a reporter in a closet to figure out how to live on Mars. I’m Ted Tune for KSNN.

INT. TREE HOUSE -- DAY

The kids finish watching the segment

JACOB
You know, living in space would be quite an adjustment.

R.J.
I read that astronauts have to train to go to space.

KALI
I wonder if we would have to train to live on Mars.

R.J.
Of course, you don't just travel 78 million kilometers through space without training.

JACOB
I wonder how you train.

KALI
It's time for a trip to the problem board.

The kids walk over to the problem board.

JACOB
We know we have to build a habitat on Mars.

R.J.
And we know that plants and animals have basic needs.

KALI
And there are many different habitats, but they are all basically the same.

R.J.
Also the food web is important to all habitats, and plants CAN be used as a food source in space.

JACOB
What we need to know is how people train to live in space for a long time.

R.J.
Where should we go?

JACOB
I saw on the computer earlier that Dr. Textbook has show about learning to live in space.

Jacob walks over to the computer.

R.J.
Let's check it out.

Dr. Textbook's show appears on the plasma screen.

EXT. NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER - PARK -- DAY

Dr. Textbook performs basic stretching exercises. He is wearing a NASA space flight training suit.

NARRATOR (V.O.)

Here's Dr. Textbook with an exciting look into the history of living in space.

GRAPHIC: History of Living in Space

EXT. NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER - PARK -- CONTINUOUS

Dr. Textbook now stands before what looks like a children's playground.

DR. TEXTBOOK
Hello! Today we're going to look at one of man's greatest challenges, living in space.

Dr. Textbook walks toward the merry-go-round.

DR. TEXTBOOK
For centuries people have adjusted to different living conditions. But none so drastic as going from the surface of the planet into outer space.

Dr. Textbook climbs onto the merry-go-round.

DR. TEXTBOOK
Leaving the pull of the Earth's gravitational force requires training and discipline. NASA astronauts use sophisticated simulators and machines to get used to leaving the Earth.

EXT. NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER - PARK -- MOMENTS LATER

Dr. Textbook is lying down on the merry-go-round. It is spinning.

DR. TEXTBOOK
You can get the same feeling when riding on a roller coaster or even while spinning on a merry-go-round.

EXT. NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER - PARK -- MOMENTS LATER

A slightly disheveled Dr. Textbook stagers from the merry-go-round.

DR. TEXTBOOK
Once you get into space, however, everything changes. You've left the Earth's gravitational force behind you, and you've now entered the micro gravity zone.

EXT. NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER - PARK -- MOMENTS LATER

Dr. Textbook is poised atop one of the bars in the playground.

DR. TEXTBOOK
In a micro gravity environment you must be able to work right-side up...

Dr. Textbook pitches forward.

EXT. NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER - PARK -- CONTINUOUS

Now we see Dr. Textbook hanging upside down.

DR. TEXTBOOK
Or upside down. Here on Earth this can be slightly uncomfortable, but in space there is no up or down. It feels just the same no matter which way you hang.

EXT. NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER - PARK -- MOMENTS LATER

Dr. Textbook stands next to the slide. He is holding a container of Tang.

DR. TEXTBOOK
(struggling to open container)

Also in micro gravity, simple tasks like eating are very challenging. In the early days of space flight, Astronauts would rely on orange powdered drink mix and freeze dried food. Now, they also enjoy full course meals.

The top flies open and Tang powder flies everywhere.

EXT. NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER - PARK -- MOMENTS LATER

Dr. Textbook stands in front of the playground. He is holding a bar bell with some weights on it.

DR. TEXTBOOK
Of course, life in space does have some benefits. On Earth these weights are difficult to lift. If I let go of these weights in space, they would simply stay put...

Dr. Textbook drops the weights...

EXT. NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER - PARK -- CONTINUOUS

ClOSE UP of weights landing on Dr. Textbook's foot.

EXT. NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER - PARK -- CONTINUOUS

Dr. Textbook writhes in pain.

DR. TEXTBOOK
Not a very good idea!

EXT. NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER - PARK -- MOMENTS LATER

Dr. Textbook dances around grabbing his foot.

INT. TREE HOUSE -- DAY

CATHERINE
Poor Dr. Textbook. He just can't seem to adapt.

KALI
I guess the fish haven't adapted very well either, or they would still be swimming in the bay.

(to the camera)

Maybe that should be my new hypothesis. If the fish cannot adapt to their environment, then they will leave the bay. But why wouldn't they be able to adapt. I guess I need to do some more research.

JACOB
Adaption seems like a difficult process.

R.J.
Why don't we talk to Dr. D. I'm sure he can help us.

KALI
Good idea.

The kids all exit.

INT. DR. D'S LAB -- DAY

Kali, Jacob, and R.J enter the lab.

KALI
Hello Dr. D.

DR. D
Well Hi, guys. How is the project going?

JACOB
It going well, but we need to know more about training and adapting to living in space.

DR. D
Let me give you an example about adapting here on earth. When astronomers go to work at the observatories on Mona Kea in Hawaii, which is almost 14,000 feet above sea level, they have to adapt to this new environment.

R.J.
If its on earth, why do they have to adapt?

DR. D
At that very high elevation there is a lot less oxygen than there is at sea level. In order to adapt the astronomers go part way up the mountain, to about 9,000 ft and spend at least 24 hours at this elevation where the conditions are not as extreme.

KALI
What happens if they don’t?

DR. D
The astronomers might get altitude sickness. If they take this time to let their bodies get used to less oxygen, they might not suffer such symptoms as headaches or severe tiredness when they get to the top of the mountain.

JACOB
That’s pretty interesting.

DR. D
Let’s play a little game to see how you can adapt to a different environment.

R.J.
Are we going to climb a mountain.

DR. D
No. I’m going to put you into a mirror image environment. What you have to do is to trace this star, while looking in the mirror. Make sure that you stay within the lines.

JACOB
This looks easy. I want to go first. Wow. I can’t make my hand move. This is very strange.

R.J.
I’ll bet that I’ll do much better.

JACOB
This is harder than it looks.

Jacob struggles to complete the exercise.

JACOB
Wait a minute. Let me try it again.

DR.D

Alright. Another star.

Dr. D put another star in the box. Jacob begins his second experiment.

JACOB
Its easier this time. Its still hard, but I’m able to do much better at it this time.

Jacob performs the experiment much more efficiently.

DR. D
I guess that you are learning to adapt to this new environment. You might want to learn more about how people train to live in space.

KALI
Where should we go?

DR. D
I'm not sure, but you might check the NASA web site.

R.J.
Yeah, if anybody knows, they should know.

KALI
Thanks Dr. D.

The kids exit.

INT. TREE HOUSE -- DAY

Jacob pulls out his latest experiment for the Mars mission: a pogo stick.

He begins pogoing in the tree house.

CATHERINE
Jacob! What are you doing?

JACOB
I'm testing out my new Mars pogo stick.

KALI
I don't think a pogo stick would work on Mars.

JACOB
Why not?

CATHERINE
Remember the case of the challenging flight, we learned about Newton's 1st law.

R.J.
That's right. It says that an object put in motion will remain in motion unless a force acts upon it.

CATHERINE
That means, Jacob, that if you jumped on your pogo stick on Mars, you would end up in space.

JACOB
Not necessarily. I did a little research and found that the Apollo astronauts went jumping around on the moon. And the moon only has 1/6 the gravity of the Earth.

KALI
That is less than Mars. It has 1/3 the gravity of Earth.

R.J.
But the Apollo astronauts wore suits that were about 350 pounds. That's why they could jump so high.

JACOB
That means that on the moon there suits were about...

(calculating)

58 pounds. And on Mars they would be... 116 pounds.

KALI
(turning to camera)

He's good at math.

JACOB
So I might be able to use my pogo stick.

CATHERINE
Well maybe, but I don't think I would try it, until I did a lot more research.

Kali, who has been sitting at the computer the entire time, says.

KALI
Hey guys, I just got an em-ail from Mr. Del Rosso. He can tell us how astronauts train to live in space.

The image of Mr. Del Rosso appears on the plasma screen.

MR. DEL ROSSO

(on plasma screen)

Hello kids, I'm Don Del Rosso, test director with NASA's reduced gravity airplane. How can I help you.

CATHERINE
We need to learn more about how astronauts train to work and live in space.

EXT. ELLINGTON FIELD - JSC - HOUSTON, TX - DAY

Mr. Del Rosso stands just inside a hanger at Ellington field.

MR. DEL ROSSO

The astronauts train in many different ways, and one way is train onboard our plane, the KC-135 or as we call it, the weightless wonder.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

KALI
Why do you call it the weightless wonder?

EXT. ELLINGTON FIELD - JSC - HOUSTON, TX - DAY

MR. DEL ROSSO
The KC-135 is an airplane that is used to simulate reduced gravity so astronauts can experience weightlessness.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

JACOB
How do you simulate weightlessness in an airplane?

EXT. ELLINGTON FIELD - JSC - HOUSTON, TX - DAY

MR. DEL ROSSO
We fly a series of huge arcs called parabolas. It's kind of like riding a giant roller coaster in the sky.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

R.J.
I learned about parabolas in Math, and I love roller coasters.

EXT. ELLINGTON FIELD - JSC - HOUSTON, TX - DAY

MR. DEL ROSSO

Then you would love the KC-135. It climbs to an altitude of about 24,000 feet and begins to make an arc. When the plane reaches the top of the arc at about 33,000 feet, it dives back to Earth. Anyone inside the airplane will also fall at the same rate at the plane and this causes the people to "float."

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

JACOB
That sounds so cool. Do they float for very long?

EXT. ELLINGTON FIELD - JSC - HOUSTON, TX - DAY

MR. DEL ROSSO

No, a typical zero gravity maneuver only lasts about 20-25 seconds. However, we can simulate other gravity forces such as those on Mars and the moon, and they last a little longer.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

CATHERINE
So how does this help the astronauts to train for space?

EXT. ELLINGTON FIELD - JSC - HOUSTON, TX - DAY

MR. DEL ROSSO

It helps the astronauts to learn how their bodies will react to weightlessness. It also gives the astronauts a chance to practice space shuttle or space station experiments before they go on their mission. It is also a great time to develop and verify space hardware, and it is a ideal for doing basic research.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

KALI
I get sick when I ride roller coasters; does anyone ever get sick on the KC-135?

EXT. ELLINGTON FIELD - JSC - HOUSTON, TX - DAY

MR. DEL ROSSO

Yes, occasionally, an astronaut will get motion sickness and that is why sometimes people refer to the KC-135 as the "Vomit Comet." But it doesn't happen very often.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

R.J.
Thanks Mr. Del Rosso. This has really helped.

EXT. ELLINGTON FIELD - JSC - HOUSTON, TX - DAY

MR. DEL ROSSO

You're welcome. And good luck with your project.

INT. TREE HOUSE - DAY

JACOB
Goodbye Mr. Del Rosso.

R.J.
Wow, it would be so cool to float in space, unless you got sick.

CATHERINE
I guess you have to have a strong stomach to be an astronaut.

R.J.
You have to have a strong stomach just to train.

KALI
Speaking of training, I just got an e-mail from Bianca and Anthony down at Johnson Space Center. They are going to visit Mr. Uttley at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. I think that's where they train for space walks.

R.J.
Well, the neutral buoyancy laboratory sounds a lot easier than the vomit comet.

JACOB
I hope they don't get sick.

INT. NEUTRAL BUOYANCY LABORATORY - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER -- DAY

Bianca and Anthony walk onto the landing deck of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory.

ANTHONY
BIANCA
Me either. I wonder what they do here.

Mr. Tony Uttley overhears the kids. He approaches them.

MR. UTTLEY

I'm glad you asked. You must be the tree house detectives.

BIANCA
Yes, we are.

MR. UTTLEY

I'm Tony Uttley and this is the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory or NBL. We use this tank to simulate an environment of weightlessness like in space.

BIANCA
It sure is big. Just how big is it?

MR. UTTLEY

The NBL is 202 feet long, 102 feet wide and 40 feet deep. It holds just over 6.2 million gallons of water. That's more than 12 Olympic size swimming pools.

ANTHONY
Wow, that is big. Why do you need such a big tank? I mean, laboratory.

MR. UTTLEY

The components of the International Space Station are really big,

MR. UTTLEY

therefore, we need a large work area for the astronauts to practice putting them together.

ANTHONY
How do the astronauts train in the NBL?

MR. UTTLEY

Instructors coach the astronauts on techniques and tasks, such as space walks, that are going to be required while working and living in orbit.

BIANCA
Space walks? Why would they walk in space?

MR. UTTLEY

Astronauts sometimes need to go outside of their space home to do such things as assemble components of the space station or even fix the Hubble Space Telescope.

ANTHONY
Is there anything else they do in the NBL?

MR. UTTLEY

Yes, they also practice more routine kinds of tasks, such as connecting power supplies, deploying radiators and solar arrays, or even changing batteries.

BIANCA
Changing batteries? That doesn't sound very hard.

ANTHONY
Why do you have to train for such easy jobs?

MR. UTTLEY

It may sound easy, but working in a space can be very challenging. There is no up or down and objects may not be in the same orientation that they were on Earth.

ANTHONY
At least all of the heavy stuff doesn't weigh as much as it does on Earth.

MR. UTTLEY

Even though an object in space is weightless, it may still have a large mass. If an astronaut creates too much momentum for the object, it can be very destructive and hard to stop.

BIANCA
This is a lot more complex than we thought.

ANTHONY
Why do you use water?

MR. UTTLEY

We use water to create weightlessness or neutral buoyancy.

BIANCA
What is neutral buoyancy?

MR. UTTLEY

Neutral buoyancy is when an object has the same tendency to float as it does to sink. It just hovers in the water. That is the same property of being weightless in orbit. So we can take a 190 lb. astronaut, put them in a 200 lb. space suit, pressurize the suit, add weights to the chest, arms, back and legs so that they are hovering in the water. This gives them the same reactive force they have in orbit. So when you push yourself away from something, your body is going to continue to move away.

BIANCA
If the suit weighs 200 lbs., how do you get them out of the pool?

MR. UTTLEY
Actually, some of the astronauts are coming out of the tank right now.

A crane is used to raise the astronaut out of the pool on a small platform.

ANTHONY
Wow, those suits are awesome.

MR. UTTLEY
If you really want to learn more about the space suits, you should talk to Ms. Ross here at Johnson.

BIANCA
That would be great.

MR. UTTLEY
I'll give her a call and let her know you are coming.

ANTHONY
Thanks Mr. Uttley.

The kids depart.

INT. SPACE SUIT LAB - JSC -- DAY

Bianca and Anthony visit Amy Ross.

BIANCA
Hi, Ms. Ross, I'm Bianca and this is Anthony.

AMY ROSS
Hi, glad to meet you both. Mr. Uttley said that you wanted to learn more about the space suit astronauts wear.

ANTHONY
Wow, do astronauts really have to wear all of this stuff?

AMY ROSS
Yes, they do. The space suit protects the astronaut from the extreme environment of space.

BIANCA
We know that they need a space suit for oxygen, but what else does it protect them from?

AMY ROSS
It protects them from things like extreme temperatures, very small meteroids, orbital debris, and radiation.

ANTHONY
Wow, I didn't realize that space was so dangerous.

BIANCA
The space suit looks big.

AMY ROSS
It is big and when an astronaut wears it, it inflates like a balloon to make it even larger.

BIANCA
Why does it inflate?

AMY ROSS
In space there is no air pressure and without air pressure, an astronaut's blood would boil.

ANTHONY
That doesn't sound good!

AMY ROSS
No, its not, so the space suit provides the air pressure the body needs to keep that from happening.

BIANCA
What are these?

AMY ROSS
These are the astronauts "long johns." They keep the astronaut cool while he or she works in the space suit.

ANTHONY
How does it do that?

AMY ROSS
There are little tubes woven into the long johns and cool water flows through the tubes keeping the astronauts comfortable.

BIANCA
There are some days I wish I had one of those.

ANTHONY
Is this what I think it is?

AMY ROSS
Yes, but we call it a MAG for Maximum Absorbancy Garment.

BIANCA
Do astronauts relay have to wear that?

AMY ROSS
Yes, space walks can last up to 8 hours and that's a long time to go without a bathroom break.

ANTHONY
That's for sure. I couldn't go that long.

AMY ROSS
Neither can the astronauts and they are working with billions of dollars of equipment. They have to concentrate in order to do their job correctly.

BIANCA
And you can't concentrate if you have to go to the bathroom.

ANTHONY
Do you make the space suits Ms. Ross?

AMY ROSS
NASA hires a company to actually make the suit. My primary job is to test and evaluate space suits so I can design a better space suit.

BIANCA
We know all about that from our invention contest. It's called the iterative process.

AMY ROSS
Sounds like you have tested, evaluated data, and redesigned yourselves!

BIANCA
Do astronauts have to have special suits for different jobs.

AMY ROSS
Sometimes. For example, Joe Kosmo and I worked with a company called ILC to build a better space suit glove.

ANTHONY
Why did they need a better glove?

AMY ROSS
To build the space station. The glove was the Phase VI and I had to make sure that the glove was ready to use in space.

BIANCA
Did it work?

AMY ROSS
Yes, it was used on the first American space station construction mission STS-88.

ANTHONY
That is so cool to know that you actually helped the astronauts build the space station.

BIANCA
I might do that some day.

AMY ROSS
Yes, you might. Keep up the hard work.

BIANCA
Thanks Ms. Ross. We have learned a lot.

AMY ROSS
You're welcome. Good luck on your Martian habitat.

WHAT'S UP SEGMENT

NARATOR

So What's Up? Is the tree house getting a little messy? Did the fish migrate from the bay? Stick around and get all the facts in the final segment of the case of the Inhabitable habitat.

CONTINUE