Day: April 26, 2025

Posted on

EVA Report – April 25th

Crew 315 EVA Report 25-04-2025

EVA # 10

Author: Michael Andrews

Purpose of EVA: We planned to first visit the site from EVA #3 in order to return the 5 rock samples that were collected to as close to their original location as possible. Then we intend to proceed to the true location of Robert’s Rock Garden and collect 1-2 more specimens for 3D scanning. Simultaneously, HSO Koi was planning on performing some drone testing in these high winds conditions to prepare for any contingencies in future EVAs with gusts of winds.

Start time: 1510

End time: 1610

Narrative: The HSO and Engineer departed the station slightly after 1400, entering a significantly windier environment than normal. We plugged in Perseverance before departing via Curiosity. The trip to EVA Site #3 only took about 5 minutes, and took another 10 minutes to return rock samples as close to their original locations as possible.

The EVA Crew then traveled approximately 5 minutes south further along Cow Dung Road until we believed we were at Robert’s Rock Garden. We radio’ed in with CapComm to have them check our EVA Link location, and CapComm rep Gagnon confirmed we had indeed arrived at the Rock Garden.

Andrews walked around the area looking for rock samples to take back to the ScienceDome for 3D scanning, while Koi tested drone operations in windy conditions. Andrews was able to recover 1 sample, and Koi’s drone did throw some wind alerts and required some compensation when flying.

Once all objectives were complete, the team returned to the station in about 10 minutes and began repressurization.

Destination: Robert’s Rock Garden and rock sample collection point from EVA #3

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): Easting: 518250, Northing: 4249000 (Robert’s Rock Garden) and Easting: 518250, Northing: 42450000 (EVA #3 site)

Participants: Michael Andrews (Crew Engineer and EVA Lead) and Urban Koi (Health and Safety Officer)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Used one rover to travel along Cow Dung Road until reaching Robert’s Rock Garden and parked on the road berm. The EVA team then traveled on foot, traveling no further than one mile from the rover.

Mode of travel: Used Curiosity rover to travel to the coordinates above. The EVA team then traveled on foot, traveling no further than one mile from the rover.

Posted on

Operations Report – April 25th

Crew 315 Operations Report 25-04-2025

SOL: 5

Name of person filing report: Michael Andrews

Non-nominal systems: Suit Charger #7, Catalytic Heater, ScienceDome Radio Charger

Notes on non-nominal systems:

· (Unresolved from yesterday) It was noted that Suit #7 wasn’t charging, but further diagnosis from the Commander has isolated the issue to the #7 charger. I was able to observe that all chargers appear to work, so more formal diagnoses are required.

· (Unresolved from yesterday) The catalytic heater near the exercise bike in the habitat does not work. It’s an engineering project to see if this can get properly started during this mission.

· The ScienceDome radio chargers do not work. There seems to be a loose component internally, because the radios will flicker on and off between charging. Furthermore, docking the ScienceDome radios in the GreenHab hold a charge nominally. Radios were swapped between the two structures, and I will disassemble the charger tomorrow.

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: No

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: No

Opportunity rover used: No

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: N/A

Curiosity rover used: Yes

Hours: 313.8 hours (0.3 hours used)

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 93%

Currently charging: No

Perseverance rover used: Yes

Hours: 328.5 hours (1.5 hours used)

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 55%

Currently charging: Yes

General notes on rovers: None

Summary of Hab operations: We performed two EVAs, made corn muffins with cheese and herbs, and pizza for dinner. The team also had a discussion about water conservation so we can ensure we complete the mission with our allotted 500 gallons. I also collected trash and replaced trash liners. Winds were very high in the afternoon, gusting above 30 mph. We also completed the 500 piece puzzle yesterday and have progressed to the 1000 piece puzzle.

Water Use

Time of measurements: 1910
1) Per formula: 22.87 gallons
2) Smart Home Dashboard: 25.5 gallons

Water (static tank, remaining gallons): 327.31 gallons

Static tank pipe heater: Off

Static tank heater: Off

Toilet tank emptied: No

Summary of internet: Used to complete reports, learn languages, share team photos via Google drive, researching projects

Summary of suits and radios:

· EVA 9: Suits 7,8 and Radios 2,3

· EVA 10: Suits 1, 9 and Radios 1, 2

Summary of GreenHab operations: Watered plants, harvested vegetables and herbs for lunch and dinner, and watered fungi project.

WATER USE: 10 gallons

Heater (On or Off): On

Supplemental light (hours of operation): 1900-2200

Harvest (name, weight in grams): 16 tomatoes, 32g basil, 2g parsley, 22g green onion

Summary of ScienceDome operations: Used the ScienceDome for additional rock scanning, including a multi-scan project for a shell collected from Sea of Shells. Noticed that the radio charger in the ScienceDome is not charging radios and needs troubleshooting.

Dual split (Heat or AC, On or Off): Off

Summary of RAM operations: No significant work in the RAM today – only grabbed one zip tie for the tunnel repair and loaded 1 bag of burn trash and 1 bag of no-burn trash in the RAM airlock for Mission Support to pick up.

Summary of any observatory issues: None

Summary of health and safety issues: None

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: One of the space suit helmets for the two-piece suits has a cracked neck ring. I discovered this helmet on the top shelf so it appears to have cracked a while ago. Do we have an extra red neck ring for the helmet that I can swap out?

Posted on

Sol Summary – April 25th

Crew 315 Sol Summary Report Date: 25 APRIL 2025

Sol: 5

Summary title: “Pizza is the reward for a job well done.”

Author: Tim Gagnon

Mission status: ongoing

As in previous days, it begins with the Commander who awakens first hydrating fruit and making coffee. As the saying goes, “The best part of waking up…”

He was soon joined by the Crew Artist who opened the book of recipes to plan our dinner tonight. Per the Commander’s request, it’s pizza night!

When everyone gathered around the table, the discussion turns to music and the Commander opens his laptop to play a concerto he wrote. It was said that during the Apollo Program NASA should have sent artists, poets, and musicians to the Moon. It is our consensus that on future Mars missions it should be a requirement.

After breakfast, the Commander and the Journalist prepared for their EVA to Lith Canyon Overlook. It has become custom for the EVA crew to pre-breathe and exit the airlock to various appropriate musical selections. Today the HSO played: Cave In by Owl City. Details of the EVA to come in the EVA report.

After they departed, the Artist and the HSO began cooking the spaghetti sauce for the pizza. (Note a good sauce needs to cook for five or more hours.) Our Engineer served as CapCom and also removed the weeks trash to the rear airlock. As a surprise for our intrepid Mars walkers, the HSO and Artist prepared corn muffins with cheddar cheese and green onions.

In the afternoon, the 10th EVA was crewed by the HSO and the Engineer. The goal was to return the rocks gathered on EVA 3 and flight test the drone in higher wind conditions. The flight test was successful in that the limits of the drone technology were defined. The Artist served as CapCom.

As a reward for two successful EVAs the Artist, Journalist and HSO prepared two delicious pizzas. Can an MDRS Pizza Shop be far behind? One pizza was with red sauce, and ½ beef and ½ cheese. The other was a white pizza with pesto sauce, ½ chicken and ½ mushroom.

As we finished dinner and waited for the comm window to open, the Journalist opened a discussion about the future of Mars exploration. Topics included the cost, the participants, the schedule, and the possibilities of crew makeup.

Once all the reports and EVA request(s) are submitted, we will again gather to share music that the others are unfamiliar with. The Commander and I want our younger crew mates to hear “Classical Gas” by Mason Williams. They in turn will share music from their favorite artists. We are really “gelling” as a crew and working together to make sure all goals are met.

In many respects, today was our best day.

Posted on

GreenHab Report – April 25th

Crew 315 GreenHab Report 25-04-2025

GreenHab Officer: Elena Saavedra Buckley

Environmental control (fan & heater): On

Average temperatures (last 24h): 88.05

Maximum temperature (last 24h): 103.8

Minimum temperature (last 24h): 72.3

Hours of supplemental light: 7-10pm

Daily water usage for crops: 10 gal

Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: Misting for mushrooms

Water in Blue Tank (200 gallon capacity): 138.3 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops: 8:30 am / 7:25 pm

Changes to crops: None

Narrative: Not much to note in the GreenHab today other than another heat spike and door-left-open session.

Harvest: 32 g basil

Support/supplies needed: None

Posted on

Operations Report – April 24th

Crew 315 Operations Report 24-04-2025

SOL: 4

Name of person filing report: Michael Andrews

Non-nominal systems: Suit Charger #7, Catalytic Heater

Notes on non-nominal systems:

· (Unresolved from yesterday) It was noted that Suit #7 wasn’t charging, but further diagnosis from the Commander has isolated the issue to the #7 charger. I was able to observe that all chargers appear to work, so more formal diagnoses are required.

· The catalytic heater near the exercise bike in the habitat does not work. It’s an engineering project to see if this can get properly started during this mission.

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: No

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: No

Opportunity rover used: Yes

Hours: 221.2 hours (1.0 hours used)

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 34%

Currently charging: Yes

Curiosity rover used: No

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: Yes

Perseverance rover used: Yes

Hours: 326.9 hours (1.4 hours used)

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 68%

Currently charging: Yes

General notes on rovers: Curiosity and Perseverance had their batteries watered, so the team is intentionally waiting 8 hours (overnight) before using them again. Perseverance’s ignition and parking brake have been repaired. Curiosity’s power indicator was checked but does not have an easy fix, so we may need to manually estimate its battery life.

Summary of Hab operations: The team cooked bread, pasta for dinner, performed two EVAs, and congratulated Koi on winning her NASA grant!

Water Use

Time of measurements: 1845
1) Per formula: 40.03 gallons
2) Smart Home Dashboard: 34.5 gallons

Water (static tank, remaining gallons): 350.68 gallons

Static tank pipe heater (on or off): Off

Static tank heater (on or off): Off

Toilet tank emptied (no or yes): No

Summary of internet: Used to complete reports, learn languages, share team photos via Google drive, researching projects

Summary of suits and radios:

· EVA 7: Suits 7,9 and Radios 3, 4

· EVA 8: Suits 8, 10 and Radios 3, 4

Summary of GreenHab operations: Watered all plants, harvested herbs for dinner and bread.

WATER USE: 10.3 gallons

Heater (On or Off): On

Supplemental light (hours of operation): 1900-2200

Harvest (name, weight in grams): harvested 20 combined grams of chives, basil, and parsley.

Summary of ScienceDome operations: None

Dual split (Heat or AC, On or Off): Off

Summary of RAM operations:

· Tunnel Zip Tie Repair: Only one zip tie was needed to be replaced on the tunnels after

· Suit Repair: Suit #1’s repair of the neck cable ring was extremely simple once Scott Davis from Mission Support informed me of the extra space suit pieces. I had tried to fabricate my own cable ring with cable from the RAM and crimping it with no success.

· GreenHab Scale: For reasons unknown, fully disassembling the Greenhab scale and reassembling it worked! I guess that there was some dirt between the circuit board and the buttons that could have prevented contact. The ScienceDome scale was returned to the ScienceDome after the GreenHab scale was returned to the GreenHab.

· 3D Scanning Shroud: I was able to craft a rudimentary shroud for en situ 3D scanning for my project, but I want to confirm that all components can be sent out on EVA on Sol 6 or 7. Please see questions to Mission Support below.

Summary of any observatory issues: None

Summary of health and safety issues: None

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: Two requests

· We would like to see if we can get the closeout checklist for the season early. We want to start reviewing the actions needed to close up MDRS for the summer.

· For my 3D scanning project, I plan to scan rock samples on EVA and need a way to create a large area of shade for the activity. I was able to create a shroud with the two sawhorses, clamps, and the fire blanket from the RAM. As soon as I tested the concept, I returned the blanket to its location. However, I do want to see if I can take these items with me on future EVAs? I would only take the RAM’s blanket, would ensure other crew members aren’t in the RAM when there is no blanket, and would call out the blanket’s use on EVA. If this is approved, let me know what is necessary to properly communicate its use.

Posted on

GreenHab Report – April 24th

Crew 315 GreenHab Report 24-04-2025

GreenHab Officer: Elena Saavedra Buckley

Environmental control (fan & heater): On

Average temperatures (last 24h): 85.8

Maximum temperature (last 24h): 100.4 F

Minimum temperature (last 24h): 71.2

Hours of supplemental light: 7-10pm

Daily water usage for crops: 10.3 gal

Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: Mists for mushroom kit

Water in Blue Tank (200 gallon capacity): 148.3 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops: 8:30 am / 7:15 pm

Changes to crops: None

Narrative: Normal day in the GreenHab—all systems seemed to be working. Still a midday heat spike, but I wonder if the fan just can’t battle these temps. Unfortunately I didn’t check and couldn’t let the door open.

Harvest: 20 combined grams of chives, basil, and parsley

Support/supplies needed: None

Posted on

EVA Report – April 24th

Crew 315 EVA Report 24-04-2025

EVA # 8

Author: Michael Andrews

Purpose of EVA:

Start time: 1415

End time: 1630

(Note: My previous EVA request provided an incorrect end time. I meant to request 6 PM or 1800 but instead put 1600. This had us arrive 30 minutes after the officially approved EVA time, but once the error was realized at 1610, we were already on the way back via Rover and were in communications with the station throughout the entire mission.)

Narrative: Crew Engineer Andrews and Crew Journalist Saavedra-Buckley departed from the station via Opportunity Rover at 1415 and headed north along Cow Dung Road. After passing previously seen landmarks, we ventured into new territory… and immediately missed our turn. Although Cow Dung Road proceeds all the way to our destination of Green Mars View, the offshoot road to the Special Region actually appears to be the more developed road. We stopped briefly at the Special Region (known on Earth as the Burpee Dinosaur Quarry) before resuming our trip.

The terrain became more remote as we approached Green Mars View. Wary of our rover battery life, we stopped a few hundred feet short of our parking spot at 56% to give us a factor of safety for the return trip. Andrews found the highest local point and set up Starlink at 1451 while Saavedra-Buckley searched for desiccated soil samples.

The area was rather green and as a result, had no cracked and dried soil. Starlink connected after 2 minutes and began consuming power. After a quick speed test, the pair walked to the nearby overlook to take photos for the 100cameras project and attempt to locate the Monolith for Comander Laude’s project. Throughout the walk, Saavedra-Buckley interviewed Andrews for her article.

After an hour of power consumption, the Starlink terminal had consumed 35% of the battery pack and the crew packed up and powered up opportunity at 1400. On the way back, the error of the incorrect EVA request end time was realized when communicating with CapComm, and the crew ensured no stops or delays were made in order to return to the hab as soon as possible. The team returned and entered the airlock at 1425, ending the EVA at 1430.

Destination: Green Mars View

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): Easting 527500, Northing 4256750

Participants: Michael Andrews (Crew Engineer and EVA Lead) and Elena Saavedra-Buckley (Crew Journalist)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Exited MDRS onto Cow Dung Road, then took a left to head North. We proceeded and missed a turn, accidentally arriving at the Special Region. We returned to Cow Dung road and continued north until the end of the road to reach Green Mars View. The return trip was performed in the same steps, but in reverse.

Mode of travel: Opportunity Rover

Posted on

EVA Report -April 24th

Crew 315 EVA Report 24-04-2025

EVA #7

Author: Urban Koi, HSO

Purpose of EVA: Travel to Overlook and then Sea of Shells area to survey a special object of interest, seen in the past by the Commander, for future close-up remote object observation via rover transportation and HSO’s drone. Objectives include: (1) Finding the compass heading to triangulate its position to find object of interest on the map to determine feasibility of flying a drone close to it for detailed HD imagery and (2) Filming 4K imagery of Mars terrain for HSO’s project.

Start Time: 0930

End Time: 1300

Narrative: The EVA began on Moonwalk Road, then proceeded along Cow Dung Road 0110. From there, Commander and HSO followed Brahe Highway to the Overlook, and then took Copernicus 1575 Highway to reach the Sea of Shells area (confirmed by Commander, 335 Magnetic, 347 True North).Commander and HSO perused the stunning shells that lined numerous dark red peaks.For the return trip to MDRS, we retraced the same route in reverse. Commander and HSO agreed that this is our favorite EVA—a successful one, where more was accomplished than originally planned. HSO was able to capture a myriad of beautiful 4K imagery at each location.

Destination: Overlook + Sea of Shells Area

Coordinates:

– Overlook, at the intersection of Brahe Hwy 1572 and Copernicus Hwy 1575 (4254500N, 516000W)

– Sea of Shells (4255500N, 516500W)

Participants: David Laude (Commander), Urban Koi (HSO)

Road(s) & Routes per MDRS Map: Moonwalk Road, Cow Dung Road, Galileo Road

Mode of Travel: Perseverance (Rover) + Hiking

Posted on

Journalist Report – April 24th

Journalist report Sol 4

We’re celebrating the fact that our HSO won a grant from NASA today, announced just now on a Zoom (her background: the lower deck EVA suit formation). Before that finale, today was a functional, routine day on Mars, with only a few hiccups.

Our Commander made pancakes while our HSO and Artist caught the sunrise near the Observatory. The first EVA crew—HSO and Commander—set out to the Overlook to investigate a spectral, faraway geologic object of great interest to our Commander, the Monolith, which he first saw there years ago and has been trying to gain a greater understanding of ever since. He took a few compass readings this time, but he’ll be going back tomorrow, with the Journalist, to get more information in an attempt to triangulate its exact location on the map. Will it be accessible via rover? Will he be able to get closer to it via other means (drone)? Would touching it turn him into the dog that caught the car? Or would it change his life? The Journalist is very interested in the answer to this question. Their EVA was also dedicated to our HSO taking drone footage, especially new shots including the Commander driving in a rover.

The second EVA took our Engineer and Journalist out to Green Mars View so the Engineer could set up Starlink for his project, completing a Duolingo lesson in Spanish to test the connectivity. They trekked to a nearby ridge to search for, you guessed it, the Monolith, and they may have taken a zoomed in, blurry picture, but the Commander wasn’t sure. (Nothing is as it seems when it comes to this subject.) Otherwise, the two chatted for the Journalist’s magazine piece and took photos for the HSO’s 100cameras project. The two are also sorry that they came back a little late due to an erroneous 24hr time entered on the EVA request.

Meanwhile, our Artist prepared a fairly inspired pasta salad while the Journalist’s disappointingly bland loaf of cheddar and herb bread finished its boogie in the bread oven. After HSO’s NASA triumph—only interrupted by a tiny wifi outage—we gathered to appreciate his work. It’s worth noting, too, that our HSO’s funded project has to do with mushroom growth in space, while the Journalist (so far) can’t manage to grow a blue oyster mushroom in the GreenHab.

Copyright © The Mars Society. All rights reserved. | Main Site