Crew Photos – April 12th
Commander's Report – April 12th
Commander’s Report: "Packing for Mars" (Thoughts on Why and How We Prepare for Analogs for Those on the Outside)
If living on Mars was easy, we would already be doing it, right?
Well we’re not, and that’s because it’s not. This week, I am beginning my first ever analog astronaut simulation, one in which I live and work in isolation and confinement on Mars. Analog astronaut missions, as you can read about here, are useful because they allow us to not only perform experiments in bounded conditions, but also learn through trial and error the intricacies of living in extreme environments.
Our extreme environment of choice? The Red Planet, of course.
Why Go to Mars
This question deserves a novel, not a paragraph. But, you’re in luck, because such a book already exists. There are a myriad of reasons to expand humanity to the red planet, not all of which were coined by Elon. Yes, being a multiplanetary species. Important, and potentially the turning point of human history. In addition, we can also gain an incredible scientific bounty, learning about the geology and seismology of planets composed differently from ours, understanding more about planetary formation in solar systems, and learning how to live off an entirely different set of resources than we are accustomed to. And, of course, we cannot discount the possibility of life in the universe being found on our peachy neighbor.
But, there’s more than just scientific benefits. There are also extreme financial and political gains. Robert Jacobson said it well, space is open for business, and the venture capitalist economy is looking for where value will be found within the start-up industry that is burgeoning around low-Earth orbit. However, once the technology catches up, that economy will swell and quickly overtake Mars operations, too. Governments are racing to keep up with the private sector, and new actors are blooming all over the world. There’s a concern that whoever gets to space first gets to set the rules, and while those in the industry are sprinting to figure out a framework for the future… the former isn’t entirely wrong.
Science and money. Those are good and valid reasons. The latter is especially helpful to prop up the space industry as a self-sustaining economy of its own, without the requirement of government and taxpayer support… which brings us to you.
The taxpayer.
Why is space worth it to you? Moreover, why is Mars worth it? It’s cold (freezingly so), barren (even compared to deserts on Earth), and uninhabited (so far as we know).
One common argument for why space exploration is “worth it” in general, is that the application of money that is already being spent by the government anyways to science has a trickle-down effect. Many technologies developed in the Apollo era have become mainstay fixtures (Tang, Velcro, Microtechnology), and it’s likely that those in labs right now will have the same ascension.
Moreover, by pumping money into space, we also trickle down all sorts of grant and scholarship money to students who are inspired by finding out more about the universe. I myself have been the recipient of many of these, and without the financial support I’ve received through this industry, it’s unlikely I’d have the life I do today.
Finally, spaceflight and humanity’s expansion has a unique side effect, one which has begun to bring people together. Satellite internet, a product of space, has connected the whole world, so that a business tycoon in China could hire a contractor in South America in minutes. More recently, the newspace industry has begun to diversify, with the advent of fellowships, programs, and internal committees that seek to elevate more voices into the space industry. Space is for everyone, we’ve been saying, and it doesn’t seem to be in vain.
None of these are concrete, though, and after a year like 2020, it’s more obvious than ever that there are issues that need immediate and desperate attention back here on Earth. There are valid arguments against the attention paid to “ivory tower” causes like these.
I don’t have an answer for them. I wish I did. But this industry turns lives around, and Perseverance just landed on Mars.
There’s hope in exploration. Hope that we can learn to treat other planets better than we have treated our own. Hope that more of us can go to space together, and that diversity and inclusion is more than a tagline. Hope that this is just the beginning of humanity’s story, and not a dead end.
For these and more, Mars is worth it, to me.
What Makes Mars Hard
People like the idea of going to space, but space hates people. Nothing about living beyond our beautiful Earthly oasis is easy because we are not designed for it. Our bodies like certain temperatures, breath certain kinds of air, and suffer under a thousand million different variations of chemicals.
With all that said, we have decided that we want to go. Humans have always been extreme adventurers, taking to long distance traveling, voyaging the seas, and finally soaring through the skies. We travel to Antarctica for fun.
But, if we’re going to take on Mars, we have to understand what we’re up against.
Mars’ atmosphere is not breathable like ours is. We would have to terraform the planet (a questionable practice worth considering the ethics of) to even consider walking on its surface. Moreover, Mars doesn’t have as thick of an atmosphere as Earth, which makes its surface and any potential human visitors much more exposed to radiation.
In addition, there isn’t any accessible water on Mars, making one of Earth’s most valuable resources a struggle to even find and use. Most of it’s trapped in ice anyways – because Mars is further from the sun and freezing cold compared to the Earth.
Oh, and did I mention the regolith (soil) has perchlorates in it that are toxic?
Being on Mars is a level of complicated akin to scuba diving in the Arctic. So, if we’re going to do it, we need to know what to bring.
What To Pack
Finally! The point of this post. The good news is that with time, what we must bring to Mars is going to get less and less. A hot topic of research in the aerospace industry is in-situ resource utilization, which can be translated to “living off of the land.” Making what you need when you get there, instead of bringing it. That makes sense. Every gram of weight we bring from Earth costs money, including the very propellant to push the rocket beyond our atmosphere. Being able to use the resources of Mars will save us time and money.
But, for an analog mission, we needed a packing list a little different than a traditional one.
– Regarding food, instead of what diets normally consist of, we need to bring and eat dehydrated alternatives for almost everything, allowing for maximum shelf lives.
– Clothing needs to be limited, and washable and reusable, since it takes up a large amount of space. Layering is vital, starting from thin layers for under flight and spacesuits, up to the warmest possible options for at night.
– Ideally, hygiene items such as shampoo and conditioner need to be biodegradable, in order to live more sustainably. It’s necessary to only bring what you could use for an entire mission length, so most daily product routines aren’t feasible.
– Camping gear, such as low-temperature thermals and sleeping bags are ideal, since on both Mars and analog missions temperatures sink incredibly low at night.
– A few trusty books, some low-mass games, or downloaded Netflix episodes for down time in order to maintain work-life balance in such an environment.
– And of course, you need a trusty Earthie to remind you of where you came from.
Dylan Dickstein, Commander & Shayna Hume, Executive Officer
Red Planet People – MDRS Crew 245 "Team Patamars"
To Mars and Beyond – For All!
Sol Summary – April 12th
Crew 245 Sol Summary Report 12-04-2021
Sol: 2
Summary Title: Before the Simulation
Author’s name: Shayna Hume
Mission Status: Executive Officer
Sol Activity Summary:
– Woke up to “Good Morning” by Kanye
– Early morning hours: exploring the kitchen (no can opener at the time), making breakfasts and coffees, and talking about our thoughts on the start of the sim
– Late morning hours: met up with Dr. Rupert, began to do our trainings. Had an excellent and lively discussion. Felt confident in our pre-knowledge for the station.
– Noon: took the training quiz and passed as a team.
– Late lunch: Chef Julio prepared spiced potato au gratin and potato soup. We mixed the two together and it was wonderful. Running a bit late to meet with Dr. Rupert. Took photos of a group meal for GSI!
– Mid-afternoon: Tarped the tunnels between the hab buildings quickly as a team. Continued to our atv and rover training – what a blast! Do not use the kill switch. Aside: my (Hume) callsign is now “Killswitch.” I couldn’t be more pleased. After this, split while Dr. Rupert went to help/look for Atila. Tried on flight and spacesuits, figured out helmets. Got some great photos!
– Late afternoon: As we wait for formal last trainings with Dr. Rupert, each of us took on the below tasks:
Crew Engineer and Commander: Heater (filter replacement pending) & operations report
HSO and Commander: HSO Inspection
XO: Report-writing
Scientist and Botanist: Cleaning the lab.
– Evening: Meeting with Shannon to review spacesuits, assignments, and radio protocols while in EVA. Took photos, began dinner, sent this report.
Look Ahead Plan: We intend to begin sim overnight. We will be ready to begin sim just before we retire for the evening so this makes practical sense. Today was an exciting day, because although we aren’t in sim, we are 90% of the way there. The main difference is that we are still going outside at this time. We are eating in sim, using internet in sim, and working together in sim. We are ready to begin EVA’s tomorrow. It’s beyond exciting to be about to start our first analog mission, and the energy is definitely running through the crew. We have a vision of being able to work together as a crew many times in future, and this is the precipice of beginning that journey.
Anomalies in work: n/a
Weather: Warm in daytime, around 40 F at nighttime. Clear weather.
Crew Physical Status: No issues. HSO First Day Report coming in.
EVA: n/a
Reports to be filed: HSO First Report, Operations, EVA Plan
Support Requested: n/a
Sol Summary – April 11th
Crew 245 Sol Summary Report 11-04-2021
Sol: 1
Summary Title: Arrival at the Station
Author’s name: Shayna Hume
Mission Status: Executive Officer
Sol Activity Summary: Arrive at Station. Because of the late hour, the priority was to unpack and learn the essentials of living in the station safely. We settled into our staterooms. The Crew Engineer spent time with the station Director learning how the toilet operates and flushing old water out of the system. Commander and XO spent time preparing initial emails and reports.
The primary challenge that arose was an uncertain smell near the Crew Scientist’s stateroom. It was found that it was sewage gas and the flushing of the toilet took care of the issue. A full operations report on Sol 2 is following. Note: we are not yet in simulation.
Look Ahead Plan: On Sol 2, we will be beginning the training, taking the quiz, and assisting with last-minute repairs needed for the Hab, including putting up the tarps for between buildings. Before the end of the day, we intend to
Anomalies in work: n/a
Weather: Warm in the daytime, around 40 F at nighttime. Clear weather.
Crew Physical Status: No issues. HSO Report for before the sim coming on Sol 2.
EVA: n/a
Reports to be filed: n/a
Support Requested: n/a
Shayna Hume, Executive Officer
Red Planet People – MDRS Crew 245 "Team Patamars"
To Mars and Beyond – For All!
Mission Support Operations Report 17 March 2021
Operations Report – March 31st
Operations Report 31-MAR-2020
SOL: n/a
Name of person filing report: Shannon Rupert
Non-nominal systems: None
Notes on non-nominal systems: Nothing to report
Power system: SOLAR ONLY. Nominal.
Diesel Reading – 60%
Station Propane Reading – 65 %
Ethanol Free Gasoline – 5.5 gallons
Water (loft tank): full gallons
Water Meter: n/a units
Water (static tank) – 250 gallons
Static to Loft Pump used –no
Water in GreenHab – 0 gallons
Water in ScienceDome: 0 gallons
Toilet tank emptied: no
Notes on rovers: All rovers are in town to be stored until May.
Notes on ATVs: ATVs are stored in a line outside the Hab until May.
HabCar used and why, where? Parked at MDRS
CrewCar used and why, where? In Hanksville
General notes and comments: Nothing to report
Summary of internet: Nominal.
Summary of suits and radios: Nothing to report.
Summary of Hab operations: Nothing to report
Summary of GreenHab operations: Nothing to report
Summary of ScienceDome operations: Nothing to report
Summary of RAM operations: Nothing to report
Summary of any observatory issues: Nothing to report
Summary of health and safety issues: The septic tanks are both relatively full and should be pumped out either in June or October.
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: This will be the last daily operations report for awhile.
Operations Report – March 30th
Operations Report 30-MAR-2020
SOL: n/a
Name of person filing report: Shannon Rupert
Non-nominal systems: None
Notes on non-nominal systems: Nothing to report
Power system: SOLAR ONLY. Nominal.
Diesel Reading – 60%. Tank locked down.
Station Propane Reading – 65 %
Ethanol Free Gasoline – 5.5 gallons
Water (loft tank): full gallons
Water Meter: n/a units
Water (static tank) – 300 gallons. Pump off.
Static to Loft Pump used –no
Water in GreenHab – 0 gallons
Water in ScienceDome: 0 gallons
Toilet tank emptied: yes. Tank is completely empty.
Notes on rovers: All rovers are in town to be stored until May.
Notes on ATVs: ATVs are stored in a line outside the Hab until May.
HabCar used and why, where? Parked at MDRS
CrewCar used and why, where? In Hanksville
General notes and comments: Nothing to report
Summary of internet: Nominal.
Summary of suits and radios: Nothing to report.
Summary of Hab operations: New latches installed interior of rear
airlock, exterior of main airlock
Summary of GreenHab operations: Nothing to report
Summary of ScienceDome operations: Nothing to report
Summary of RAM operations: New latch installed on exterior airlock
door. Lock on exterior breaker box.
Summary of any observatory issues: Nothing to report
Summary of health and safety issues: We continue to be plagued with
what I believe is the same drone. Today it followed me as I was on a
walk away from the station. No one was anywhere in sight.
In addition, we have had a group or groups of atv’ers who are driving
all over off-road.
I am thinking it might be best to report both of these events to the
sheriff’s department.
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: Nothing at this time
Operations Report – March 26th
Operations Report 26-MAR-2020
SOL: n/a
Name of person filing report: Shannon Rupert
Non-nominal systems: None
Notes on non-nominal systems: Nothing to report
Power system: SOLAR ONLY. Nominal.
Diesel Reading – 60%
Station Propane Reading – 65 %
Ethanol Free Gasoline – 5.5 gallons
Water (loft tank): half full gallons
Water Meter: n/a units
Water (static tank) – 300 gallons
Static to Loft Pump used – no
Water in GreenHab – 0 gallons
Water in ScienceDome: 0 gallons
Toilet tank emptied: no
Notes on rovers: All rovers are in town to be stored until May.
Notes on ATVs: ATVs are stored in a line outside the Hab until May.
HabCar used and why, where? Not used
CrewCar used and why, where? In Hanksville
General notes and comments: Nothing to report
Summary of internet: Nominal.
Summary of suits and radios: Nothing to report.
Summary of Hab operations: Hab is ready for shutdown except that I
have to play musical chairs with things that I found that belong in
other buildings. I was really disappointed in how dirty the Hab was
after just a half a year of operations. The kitchen was a real mess.
I did not clean it completely as it needs a deep cleaning (dishes
included) before operations start up again.
Summary of GreenHab operations: Shutdown complete until Fall 2020. I
went to out the wheelbarrow in the GreenHab this morning and the door
handle will not open. If I can’t get it to open, I will just leave it
as is until May.
Summary of ScienceDome operations: Shutdown complete until May
Summary of RAM operations: Shutdown complete until May
Summary of any observatory issues: The seal on the inner half-shell of
the dome was off in the middle again but I managed to get it all back
on this time. Will check tomorrow to see if it held.
Summary of health and safety issues: Nothing to report
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: Nothing at this time
Operations Report – March 24th
MDRS Supplemental Operations Report 24-MAR-2020
Name of person filing report: Shannon Rupert
Reason for Report: COVID-19 Shutdown
Non-nominal systems: None
Action taken for non-nominal systems: n/a
Generator check, note if oil and coolant added: No generator in use
ScienceDome Dual Split: Operational, but not in use
Solar— Nominal, providing power 24 hours a day, avg. SOC 80% per day
Diesel Reading – 60 % (ordered lock for tank)
Propane Reading, main tank – 65 %
Propane Reading, director tank— 69%
Propane Reading, intern tank— ~70%
Ethanol Free Gasoline – 5 gallons
Water (Outpost tank) – 150 gallons
Water (static tank) – 350 gallons
Water (GreenHab) – 0 gallons
Water (loft) – full
Static to Loft Pump used – no
Water Meter: n/a
Toilet tank emptied: n/a
Notes and action taken on rovers: Rovers are stored in Hanksville
Monthly check and fill of rover batteries: Not done at this time,
should be completed in May.
ATV’s Used: (Honda, 300, 350.1, 350.2, 350.3): Currently parked
outside the Hab. 350.1,2 and 3 are nominal. Honda is nominal but
needs an oil change. 300 is still in town.
Reason for use: n/a
Oil Added? No
ATV Fuel Used: 0 Gals
# Hours the ATVs were Used: 0
Notes and action taken on ATVs: Nothing to report
HabCar running? If used, why, where? At MDRS, used for chores
CrewCar running, If used why, where? Currently in Hanksville.
Campus wide inspection, if action taken, what and why? Nothing to report
Evidence of rodents, where and action taken: No evidence of rodents at
this time anywhere on campus
Summary of internet: All three accounts nominal
Summary of suits and radios: Nothing to report
Summary of Hab operations: Ordered hardware for new lock on rear airlock
Summary of Outpost operations: Intern Trailer cleaned and shutdown until May
Summary of GreenHab operations: Shutdown until Fall. Ordered keyed
handle to door.
Summary of ScienceDome operations: Shutdown until May
Summary of RAM operations: Nothing to report
Summary of any observatory issues: Nothing to report
Summary of health and safety issues: Nothing to report
List and summary of projects: Continuing to shut down station.
Questions, concerns, supplies needed and requests: Nothing at this time.
Operations Report – March 23rd
Operations Report 23-MAR-2020
SOL: n/a
Name of person filing report: Shannon Rupert
Non-nominal systems: None
Notes on non-nominal systems: Nothing to report
Power system: SOLAR ONLY. Nominal.
Diesel Reading – 60%
Station Propane Reading – 68 %
Ethanol Free Gasoline – 5.5 gallons
Water (loft tank): full gallons
Water Meter: n/a units
Water (static tank) – 150 gallons
Static to Loft Pump used – no
Water in GreenHab – 0 gallons
Water in ScienceDome: 0 gallons
Toilet tank emptied: no
Notes on rovers: All rovers are in town to be stored until May.
Notes on ATVs: ATVs will be stored in a line outside the Hab until May.
HabCar used and why, where? Not used
CrewCar used and why, where? In Hanksville
General notes and comments: Nothing to report
Summary of internet: Nominal.
Summary of suits and radios: Nothing to report.
Summary of Hab operations: Nothing to report
Summary of GreenHab operations: Shutdown complete until Fall 2020
Summary of ScienceDome operations: Shutdown complete until May
Summary of RAM operations: Nothing to report.
Summary of any observatory issues: Nothing to report
Summary of health and safety issues: I knocked my head really hard
today on the corner of a bench in the GreenHab while vacuuming. I am
fine but I have a nice dent above my right eye.
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: Nothing at this time
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