Author: jburk

Sol: 02
Summary Title: “Day Two, Seems Like Home”
Author’s name: Roger Gilbertson
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: The morning was spent preparing and carrying out various individual projects. Cameras and equipment were setup for the afternoon EVA focusing on LIDAR and NeRF scanning. Science lab preparations continued for start of bacterial growth as soon as the pH meter arrives. Soil samples collected on EVA 2 were analyzed by crushing, sifting, then applying HCl and NaOH to small samples. Neither sample appeared to contain any appreciable amount of carbonates. GreenHab operations, planting and watering, continued with encouraging plant growth noticed.
A daily timeline was discussed and written up to streamline evening meal preparation and clean-up, to allow for more efficient use of the daily communications window, and earlier quiet and bed times. A step-by-step list was drafted for preparing, and returning from EVA. This includes using the three stations in the main downstairs room to setup each suit system in advance.
The afternoon EVA 3 departed about 30 minutes late and unfortunately the crew “assumed" a 30 minute extension without specifically requesting one from Mission Support. The EVA drove south on Cow Dung Road, noting a rapid drop in both vehicle’s state of charge. Communications became intermittent due to increasing distance from the repeater. One EVA crew member’s radio seemed to stop working, so they resorted to remaining close together in order to use gestures and shouting. CapCom was not notified of the radio problem until after the end of EVA, due to distance. The crew returned to the habitat at precisely 4:30 and entered the airlock at 4:35. Photos, documentary video, and 3D scans were successfully captured during the EVA. The crew will review the EVA requirements and communication protocols in the evening.
Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow afternoon we plan for an EVA to collect soil samples in support of science started by a previous MDRS mission.
Anomalies in work: none
Weather: nominal
Crew Physical Status: nominal
EVA: EVA 3 completed today, request for EVA 4 submitted for tomorrow
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist report, Photos, Operations report, Green Hab report, EVA 3 Summary, EVA 4 Request.
Support Requested: longest paint pole available to be attached to a window cleaning squeegee

Crew 286 Sol 05 Summary Report 17-NOV-2023

Sol: 05

Summary Title: “Visiting Marble Ritual with Visitors.”

Author’s name: Roger Gilbertson

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary: The science dome bacterial growth experiment is showing excellent growth – essentially doubling in 24 hours. In the RAM, plaster mold fabrication continued with clean-up of the first half cast yesterday.

We continued EVA and Comms training for our visiting photojournalists, Andrea and Caleb, then conducted them on a two-rover, four-person EVA to Marble Ritual. They captured images from the surface and some of the hills, then we returned to the Habitat and captured a few more images near the Observatory dome as shadows lengthened prior to sunset. EVA finished at the planned time of 4:30 PM.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow the science program will continue to monitor growth. We plan a two-person EVA in the vicinity of the habitat to LIDAR scan and scout locations for an outdoor Martian music performance.

Anomalies in work: none
Weather: nominal

Crew Physical Status: nominal

EVA: EVA 5 completed, request for EVA 6 submitted for tomorrow

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist report, Photos, Operations report, Green Hab report, EVA 5 Summary, EVA 6 Request.

Support Requested: Internet access tomorrow morning at 6 AM to observe the Starship test launch from Texas on Earth.

Crew 286 Sol 04 Summary Report 16-NOV-2023

Sol: 04

Summary Title: “And Then There Were Eight.”

Author’s name: Roger Gilbertson

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary: In the science dome the bacterial growth experiment continues and appears on-track. Samples were taken and tested, and optical density doubled in 12 hours, indicating nominal growth. Plaster mold creation was started in the RAM, with the intention of demonstrating the use of in-situ resources (local gypsum for plaster), in support of metal component casting.

Just after 9 AM we welcomed our visiting photojournalists, Andrea and Caleb, who will be with us for four nights. We helped bring their equipment up from the rear airlock, then oriented them to the facility and its operations. We had a group lunch to welcome them.

Afternoon EVA. With eight people now in the habitat, we were able to include Hugo, our filmmaker, on to the EVA crew allowing for our first 4-person excursion. Preparations went smoothly and the four astronauts exited the airlock at the appointed time. Our visiting journalists observed the process of suiting up, using the radios, and conducting the EVA, in preparation for their joining an EVA tomorrow. All four astronauts and their equipment fit into the airlock, and they exited the airlock on time.

Phase 1 of the EVA involved the full team to wash the exteriors of the windows on habitat and science dome. A special extra-long squeegee was prepared from available components, and loaded into the airlock in two parts. A bottle of special Mars window washing fluid was also prepared. Upon exiting, the crew assembled the pole.

The first test wash was performed on the exterior of the airlock window. The squeegee’s sponge side was moistened from the fluid bottle, then raised up and moved over the window surface. Then the wiper blade side was used to remove the fluid. A cloth was used to wipe the edges. Then the smaller habitat windows on the lower floor were cleaned. In future, a smaller width squeegee would be helpful for these.

The upper floor windows proved more challenging. The highest ones were out of reach, even with the long pole. The round window above the airlock could be reached from the porch. As expected, the spacesuits made moving the squeegee over the high window difficult. One astronaut moved it, while the other observed from a bit further away, and provided feedback and directions. Our improved radio communications skills helped. In the end, the triple-pane windows contain a lot of dust on the inner surfaces, which is inaccessible, so they are less than 100 percent clean.

The squeegee team moved their attention to the science dome windows. Being at eye level allowed full and proper cleaning. The science dome windows now have excellent clarity.

We then proceeded to Phase 2. Lizzy and Groucho began LIDAR scanning and soil sampling in the habitat yard, and then along the stream bed to the east of the science dome. Gee and Hugo walked to the north of the observatory dome and conducted a memorial service for founding member of the Belgian Mars Society, Étienne Lefebvre, who passed away recently.

During the EVA, the visiting photographers documented the activities from within the habitat, the science dome, and observatory dome area.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow the science program will continue with newly arrived innocula and freshly generated hydrogen. EVA training will be given to the visiting photographers, and they will be taken on an afternoon EVA to Marble Ritual. Processing of LIDAR images and samples will continue. Production of metal casting molds will continue.

Anomalies in work: none
Weather: nominal

Crew Physical Status: nominal

EVA: EVA 4 completed, request for EVA 5 submitted for tomorrow

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist report, Photos, Operations report, Green Hab report, EVA 4 Summary, EVA 5 Request.

Support Requested: As previously requested, internet access at 6 AM to observe the Starship test launch (if it is still “go”)