Crew 217 Journalist Report 11 Dec 2019 Author: Teresa Hislop “Failure is not an option” was today’s theme. There were no petri dishes in the science dome. Our research plans call for plating samples from two separate collections: gypsum samples collected at Moon Overlook and green sediment samples from the Morrison strata in Lith Canyon. Not be be deterred, we made “petri bags” by mixing agar and pouring it into zip log bags. Success! EVA One (Ann, Cynthia, Kevin, Teresa) journeyed to Lith Canyon. One of MDRS’s absolute rules is that one stops when the Rovers’ battery reaches 60%. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Do not take the Rover further afield when the battery reads 60%. About two-thirds the way to Lith Canyon, Spirit’s battery read 60%. Not to be deterred, the astronauts continued with their mission, one Rover down. Failure was not an option. They successfully collected water samples from three separate potholes. They also took measured pH and temperature and took salinity readings They also scaped rock samples from four samples from the green sediment in the Morrison strata: one from above the green layer, one from the green layer, one from under the green layer, and one from a group of crystalline structures in the layer above the green layer. Finding themselves with over 60 minutes left in their EVA allotment of time, the group also collected gypsum samples at the Cow Dung Road/Moon Overlook Road junction. While waiting for the radios and Rovers to recharge the group ground and plated the Morrison strata and gypsum samples. The gypsum samples were plated on 20% saline agar; the Morrison strata samples were plated on nutrient agar and incubated. EVA Two drove to Moon Overlook, stopping at three different locations to collect gypsum. They went out and back without incident but not without adventure. It was the first time in over 10 years Shannon had been in a space suit and the first time ever that she has ridden in a Rover in a space suit. Lesson and idea sharing continues. Today’s highlight is Jen’s Flipgrid app. She posts videos that her students view and respond to. She can see and respond to their responses. It is a fabulous way for asynchronous communication from “Mars” to Earth and back again.
Science Report – December 11th
Research Report 11 December 2019 Crew 217 – NSBU 217 Sol 2 Submitted by Science Officers Kevin Berean & Ann Rockett 1. Sharing of Mars and Space-related Classroom Activities: Crew members spent 4 hours on SOL 1 in a routable discussion sharing Mars and space-related classroom activities. Additional time has also been spent on SOL 1 and SOL 2 as the SIM unfolds discussing ways in which we can incorporate this firsthand experience into classroom lessons and activities. 2. Conducting a Biodiversity Survey of Ephemeral Potholes in a Mars Analog: Four crew members conducted an EVA on SOL 2 (that commenced at 10:15AM and ended at 12:30PM) and biodiversity samples were extracted from three ephemeral potholes at 4256500, 518500. PH and salinity readings were also taken and recorded for each pothole. Samples from Pothole 1 and Pothole 2 underwent a preliminary examination under a microscope in the MDRS Science Dome. Further examination of said samples will take place on SOL 3. 3. Investigating if Life Exists in a Green Layer of the Morrison Strata that is Exposed Throughout the MDRS Exploration Area: Four Crew Members conducted an EVA on SOL 2 (that commenced at 10:15AM and ended at 12:13PM) and samples were extracted from a green layer of the Morrison Strata at 4256500, 518500. Three samples were taken for investigation: sample 1 from the bottom of the green layer; sample 2 form the middle of the green layer; and sample 3 from the top of the green layer. All three samples were ground, plated and placed in the incubator at room at 27°C. 4. Search for Halophiles in Surface Gypsum: Gypsum samples were collected during the two EVAs today. Gypsum samples from the morning EVA (that commenced at 10:15AM and ended at 12:30PM) were collected on Cow Dung Road and ground and plated. Gypsum samples from the afternoon EVA (that commenced at 3:40PM and ended at 5:00PM) were collected at the Moon overlook. 5. Exploration of Ways to Communicate with Classrooms at MDRS. The crew continues to brainstorm ways in which future NSBU crews can communicate with classrooms during the SIM. Setting up a Flipgrid classroom is one way NSBU crews can communicate with classrooms during a SIM. In a Flipgrid platform, the NSBU teacher can post videos from MDRS during SIM to “the grid” that his/her students can access and watch via their established Flipgrid accounts. The students can then, in turn, post questions via video back to the NSBU teacher for his/her response. Students can also pose questions to each other via the Flipgrid. This method is currently being piloted and tested by one of our crew members and she has been able to post a video for her classrooms on SOL 1 and SOL 2, which has generated 18 question/reply videos from her students. The only issue that has surfaced using this method is the difficulty establishing an internet connection.
Operations Report – December 11th
Crew 217Operations Report 12/11/ 2019 SOL: 1 Name of person filing report: Hope Zubrin Non-nominal systems: radios Notes on non-nominal systems: radios still having charging issues and they all have new batteries Generator: Hours run: 12 From what time last night: 7:00 pm To what time this morning: 7:00AM List any additional daytime hours when the generator was run: n/a Solar— SOC 48 % (Before generator is run at night) Diesel Reading – 22% Station Propane Reading –not checked Ethanol Free Gasoline: 5 gallons Water (loft tank): 55 gallons Water Meter: 1467945 units Water (static tank): 425 gallons Static to Loft Pump used – yes Water in GreenHab: 300 gallons Water in ScienceDome: 0 gallons Toilet tank emptied: yes Deimos rover used: off campus Hours: Beginning charge: Ending charge: Currently charging: Sojourner rover used: ASSIGNED TO DIRECTOR Hours: Beginning charge: Ending charge: Currently charging: yes Spirit rover used:yes Hours: 118.0 Beginning charge: (Before EVA) 100 %; 100% Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging) 42 %;38% Currently charging: Yes Opportunity rover used: off campus Hours: Beginning charge: Ending charge: Currently charging: Curiosity rover used: yes Hours: 123.3 Beginning charge:100%; 100% Ending charge: 50 %; 52 % Currently charging: yes Notes on rovers: ATV’s Used: (Honda, 300, 350.1, 350.2, 350.3) Reason for use:not used Oil Added? n/a ATV Fuel Used: zero gallons # Hours the ATVs were used today: Notes on ATVs: nothing to report HabCar used and why, where? No CrewCar used and why, where? In Grand Junction General notes and comments: Summary of internet: nominal Summary of suits and radios: all suits operational see radio notes Summary of Hab operations: nothing to report Summary of GreenHab operations: Nothing to report Summary of ScienceDome operations: Dissection scope needs repair. Many supplies needed: Petri dishes, sample cups, lab tape, sharpies, glassware, nutrient agar, scissors, and other consumables. Summary of RAM operations: nothing to report Summary of any observatory issues: nothing to report Summary of health and safety issues: nothing to report Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: nothing at this time.
EVA Report – December 11th
Crew 217 EVA Request 12-11-19 EVA #: 3 Today’s date: Sol 2 Requested EVA Date: Sol 3, 12-12-19 Requested start time for EVA: 10:00 am Requested end time for EVA:13:00 pm Weather is clear and sunny supporting the requested EVA. Purpose of EVA: To collect ancient invertebrates for presentation to students upon return to Earth. Destination: Walk from Hab up Sagan Street to Hab Ridge (destination) Coordinates: 518,000, 4251,300 UTM EVA Participants: Cynthia, Teresa, Kevin, Ann, Jen, Hope
Sol Summary – December 11th
Crew 217 Sol Summary Report 11Dec2019 Sol: 2 Summary Title: Mars needs teachers Author’s name: Atila Meszaros Mission Status: Second day on the red planet and rocking our mission goals. Sol Activity Summary: We started the day earlier, as we needed to cover a considerable amount of activities. The morning began with a double breakfast on my side and our first Biology class from our favorite Ecology teacher, Shannon Ruppert. The main objective of the day was to get 3 types of biology samples: gypsum from the Moon areas, water from pre-selected ponds and some fragments from the mysterious unidentified green layer. All of them were collected wonderfully. We aimed to plated them on agar so we would be able to determine qualitatively the biological content of them. In order to do that, we MacGyvered the agar making business and created (patent pending) the "Petry baggies". Today has been a wonderful day, I saw Shannon put a suit and go on an EVA for the first time ever, and you don't usually see that. I haven't been in sim for a while, but spending this week with wonderful people, one more inspiring and dedicated than the next one, it's really fulfilling. I haven't been in school for a long long time, but if I had one of these teachers for just a day when I was growing up, I would have definitely changed my life. Looking forward to seeing their work and how this experience will create new and better programs for their kids. Look Ahead Plan: Last day of the mission! We will start preparing the rockets for our afternoon EVA. Part of the crew will be doing the first last EVA to Hab Ridge during the morning. After lunch, we will be working on the GreenHab, planting and making a terrarium with Mars soil simulant. During the afternoon, small rockets wait for us to be launch And during the evening, we will try to wrap up the mission and spend our last night together. Anomalies in work: Nothing to report. Weather: Colder than yesterday, partly clear skies, light winds, and an impressive full moon. Crew Physical Status: Healthy, a little bit tired, but happy. EVA: Our first two long EVAs tackling our scientific goals: water holes, gypsum, and unidentified green layer sample return. Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA Reports 3 & 4, EVA Request, GreenHab Report, Science Report, Operations Report, Journalist Report, and Photos. Support Requested: Science Dome materials and instruments (listed on the Science Report).
Crew Photos – December 10th
Crew Photos
Greenhab Report – December 10th
Crew 217 GreenHab Report – 10-12-2019
GreenHab Officer: Cynthia Hori
Environmental control:
Ambient with door open
Heating
Shade cloth (40%) on
Average temperatures
Low 65 F
High 90 F
Hours of supplemental light :5
Daily water usage for crops: 80 L
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes:
Water in Blue Tank— 300 gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops: 5 pm
Changes to crops: Pepper seedlings emerging
Narrative: A second shade cloth (30%) will be added tomorrow and squash will be transplanted. New lettuce seeds going in tomorrow.
Harvest: none
Operations Report – December 10th
Crew 217 Operations Report 12/10/2019
SOL: 1
Name of person filing report: Hope Zubrin
Non-nominal systems: radios
Notes on non-nominal systems: batteries not charging
Generator:
Hours run: 12
From what time last night: 7:00 pm
To what time this morning: 7:00AM
List any additional daytime hours when the generator was run: n/a
Solar— SOC 70 % last night (Before generator is run), 72% tonight
Diesel Reading – not checked
Station Propane Reading –not checked
Ethanol Free Gasoline: 5 gallons
Water (loft tank): 25 gallons
Water Meter: 1467244 units
Water (static tank): 425 gallons
Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Water in GreenHab: 300 gallons
Water in ScienceDome: zero gallons
Toilet tank emptied: no
Deimos rover used: off campus
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging:
Sojourner rover used: ASSIGNED TO DIRECTOR
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging: yes
Spirit rover used:yes
Hours: 116.6
Beginning charge: 100 %
Ending charge: 77%
Currently charging: Yes
Opportunity rover used: off campus
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging:
Curiosity rover used: yes
Hours:121.6
Beginning charge:100%
Ending charge:63%
Currently charging: yes
Notes on rovers: Curiosity ignition switch tightened as it had become loose
ATV’s Used: (Honda, 300, 350.1, 350.2, 350.3)
Reason for use:not used
Oil Added? n/a
ATV Fuel Used: zero gallons
# Hours the ATVs were used today:
Notes on ATVs: nothing to report
HabCar used and why, where yes to town for supplies
CrewCar used and why, where?In Grand Junction
General notes and comments:
Summary of internet: troubles downloading
Summary of suits and radios: all suits operational see radio notes
Summary of Hab operations: nothing to report
Summary of GreenHab operations: we adjusted the grow lights and are working on temperature moderation
Summary of ScienceDome operations: replaced table
Summary of RAM operations: nothing to report
Summary of any observatory issues: nothing to report
Summary of health and safety issues: nothing to report
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: nothing at this time.
Greenhab Report – December 9th
Shannon Rupert
8:44 PM (30 minutes ago)
to MDRS
Crew 217 GreenHab Report – 09-12-2019
GreenHab Officer: Cynthia Hori
Environmental control:
Ambient with door open
Heating
Shade cloth (40%) on
Average temperatures: 20 degrees C
Low
High
Hours of supplemental light :5
Daily water usage for crops: 80 L
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes:
Water in Blue Tank— 300 gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops: 5 pm
Changes to crops: Pepper seedlings emerging
Narrative: A second shade cloth (30%) will be added tomorrow
Harvest: Radishes were thinned and 141 g removed and eaten at dinner–
Sol Summary – December 10th
Crew 217 Sol Summary Report 10-DEC-2019
Sol: 1
Summary Title: The First Day on Mars aka Taco Tuesday
Author’s name: Shannon Rupert
Mission Status: Our Mission is in full swing. We awoke to our first Martian day and made the most of it.
Sol Activity Summary: We spent the morning sharing our teaching experiences and activities, and at one point while I was smashing #10 cans on the upper deck, the crew was busy downstairs creating a habitat out of cups, plates, straws, file folders and recycled plastic containers. I was reminded of that Apollo 13 scene where they dump everything on the table to create a solution for the scrubber problem (“Failure is not an option”). After lunch, we trained in suits and rovers while taking our first short EVAs to the Marble Ritual. Everyone was super excited about wearing the suits and being outside. Then we settled down to a wonderful Taco Tuesday dinner with homemade tortillas and space ball taco meat. We created our work plan for tomorrow, then decided to spend the rest of the evening doing COMMS and relaxing. It’s been a wonderful but busy day.
Look Ahead Plan: We will spend the morning in the lab making plates for our halophile experiment. Then part of the crew will go on an EVA to Lith Canyon to collect pothole water samples for analysis and they will also collect samples from a green layer in the stratigraphy here and we will plate them to see what is living there. Finally, a second EVA will go to The Moons to collect gypsum samples to plate.
Anomalies in work: Atila and I needed to go to town for supplies and that set us back a couple of hours so that is why we pushed the plate making back until morning. It’s hard to create a Martian pace with only three days to do so much, but I am trying.
Weather: Sunny and very warm for this time of year
Crew Physical Status: Happy, healthy, some of us are clean, all of us will sleep well.
EVA: Two short training EVAs to the Marble Ritual, XO lead both of them.
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Operations Report. GreenHab Report, Operations Report, HSO Beginning of SIM checklist, Bios/Photos, Mission Plan, Journalist Report and Photos.
Support Requested: Teachers need to be added to the eList. We may not be able to send all reports this evening as we don’t know how much internet we used this morning. We have decided to turn off the wifi from 6 am to 7 pm every day as everyone still wants to use their phones for photos and in this way, we won’t have to worry about using the internet.
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