Moonbase Alpha Technical Notebook

Name: RUSSELL, HELENA SUSAN Date of Birth: AUGUST 5, 1960 Place of Birth: CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA Assigned Alpha: FEBRUARY 23, 1999 (FIRST TOUR OF DUTY) Job Assignment: CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER A physician's daughter, Helena Russell entered medical school shortly after her father's death. Following in his medical footsteps, she be- came one of the top experts in her chosen field of space medicine. Helena worked for the Space Commission where she met and later married astro- naut Lee Russell. The marriage ended abruptly when he disappeared on a space mission. She retreated into the routine and security of her job until she developed a strong attachment for Commander John Koenig. Since joining the Space Service in 1992, Dr. Russell has won many awards for her achievements in space medicine. When the space dock and Moonbase Alpha were constructed, duty periods were generally one-to-two months. The sterile atmosphere was found to cause restlessness and tension among the Alpha personnel. Efficiency suffered. Under Dr. Russell's guidance, many of the recreation rooms were transformed into exotic gardens with lush, tropical plants. This Earth-like atmosphere helped reduce tensions and boosted morale and production significatnly. Dr. Russell was given the Donnelmyer Award for her work and was later assigned to the Moonbase as Medical Officer.