Crew Photos – March 17th
Journalist Report – March 17th
Journalism Report
After a late night of transit and training the crew awoke on Mars ready to try our best to complete our mission. When we signed up for this Mars mission, we were excited about all of the possibilities and today those possibilities began to unfold – good and bad. Today we all successfully completed our first set of paired EVAs and got to know the exhilaration of exploring the unknown; the wonder of Martian vistas; and accomplishment of completing a mission. We also got to know the challenge that comes with being encumbered by a space suit; the frustration of not being able to talk to the person next to you without hopping on the comm system; the insane appetite that accompanies the end of a spacewalk; and unique to our mission, navigating the secrecy of the social-behavioral experiment that is our purpose here on Mars this week.
Mission Plan – March 17th
Crew 309 Lookahead Report 16-03-2025
Sol 0
Author: Aaron Allred & Erin Richardson (Experimental Designers for 3/16-3/22 Crew Mars Analog Experiments)
Sunday MARCH 16, EVA 1
Today’s Date: 03-16-2025
Requested EVA Date: 03-16-2025
Requested start time for EVA: 15:00
Requested end time for EVA: 19:30
Does the weather report support EVA at this time?: Yes
Purpose of EVA: Practice navigation task and familiarize participants with EVA procedures
Destination: Marble Rituals
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 518250 E, 4250750
EVA Participants: Everyone including 3 support crew
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road 0110,
Mode of travel: Rover and on foot
Vehicles you will be using (If applicable): Curiosity
MONDAY MARCH 17, EVA 1
Today’s Date: 03-16-2025
Requested EVA Date: 03-17-2025
Requested start time for EVA: 8:00
Requested end time for EVA: 11:00
Does the weather report support EVA at this time?: Yes
Purpose of EVA: Perform navigation task
Destination: Zubrin’s Head
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 38°22’59"N 110°46’47"W
EVA Participants: Commander A, Scientist
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road 0110 and Zubrin’s Head
Mode of travel: Rover and on foot
Vehicles you will be using (If applicable): Curiosity
MONDAY MARCH 17, EVA 2
Today’s Date: 03-16-2025
Requested EVA Date: 03-17-2025
Requested start time for EVA: 11:30
Requested end time for EVA: 14:30
Does the weather report support EVA at this time?: Yes
Purpose of EVA: Perform Navigation Task
Destination: Phobos Plains
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 38°24’16"N 110°47’24"W
EVA Participants: Medic and Engineer
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road 0110
Mode of travel: Rover and on foot
Vehicles you will be using (If applicable): Spirit
MONDAY MARCH 17, EVA 3
Today’s Date: 03-16-2025
Requested EVA Date: 03-17-2025
Requested start time for EVA: 15:00
Requested end time for EVA: 18:00
Does the weather report support EVA at this time?: Yes
Purpose of EVA: Perform navigation task
Destination: Zubrins Head
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 38°22’59"N 110°46’47"W
EVA Participants: Commander B, GreenHab
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road 0110, park at Zubrins Head and walk nearby
Mode of travel: Rover, on foot
Vehicles you will be using (If applicable): Perseverance
TUESDAY MARCH 18, EVA 1
Today’s Date: 03-18-2025
Requested EVA Date: 03-18-2025
Requested start time for EVA: 8:00
Requested end time for EVA: 11:00
Does the weather report support EVA at this time?: Yes
Purpose of EVA: Perform Navigation Task
Destination: Cowboy Corner
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 38°25’29"N 110°47’17"W
EVA Participants: Commander A and Engineer
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road 0110
Mode of travel: Rover and on Foot
Vehicles you will be using (If applicable): Curiosity
TUESDAY MARCH 18, EVA 2
Today’s Date: 03-16-2025
Requested EVA Date: 03-18-2025
Requested start time for EVA: 15:00
Requested end time for EVA: 18:00
Does the weather report support EVA at this time?: Yes
Purpose of EVA: Perform Navigation Task
Destination: Kissing Camel Ridge
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 38°23’32"N 110°47’27"W
EVA Participants: Scientist and Medic
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road 0110
Mode of travel: Rover and on Foot
Vehicles you will be using (If applicable): Perseverance
WEDNESDAY MARCH 19, EVA 1
Today’s Date: 03-16-2025
Requested EVA Date: 3-19-2025
Requested start time for EVA: 8:00
Requested end time for EVA: 11:00
Does the weather report support EVA at this time?: Yes
Purpose of EVA: Perform Navigation Tasks
Destination: Compass Rock
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 38°25’03"N 110°46’31"W
EVA Participants:Commander B And Engineer
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road 0110
Mode of travel: Rover and on Foot
Vehicles you will be using (If applicable): Curiosity
WEDNESDAY MARCH 19, EVA 2
Today’s Date: 03-16-2025
Requested EVA Date: 3-19-2025
Requested start time for EVA: 15:00
Requested end time for EVA: 18:00
Does the weather report support EVA at this time?: Yes
Purpose of EVA: Perform Navigation Tasks
Destination: Poohs Corner
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84):
EVA Participants: GreenHab and Medic
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road 0110
Mode of travel: Rover and on foot
Vehicles you will be using (If applicable): Perseverance
THURSDAY MARCH 20, EVA 1
Today’s Date: 03-16-2025
Requested EVA Date: 03-20-2025
Requested start time for EVA: 8:00
Requested end time for EVA: 11:00
Does the weather report support EVA at this time?: Yes
Purpose of EVA: Perform Navigation Tasks
Destination: Pooh’s Corner
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84):
EVA Participants: Commander A and Commander B
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road 0110
Mode of travel: Curiosity
Vehicles you will be using (If applicable):
THURSDAY MARCH 20, EVA 2
Today’s Date: 03-16-2025
Requested EVA Date: 03-20-2025
Requested start time for EVA: 15:00
Requested end time for EVA: 18:00
Does the weather report support EVA at this time?: Yes
Purpose of EVA: Perform Navigation Task
Destination: Phobos Plans
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 38°24’16"N 110°47’24"W
EVA Participants:Greenhab and Scientist
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road 0110
Mode of travel: Rover and on foot
Vehicles you will be using (If applicable): Perseverance
FRIDAY MARCH 21, EVA 1
Today’s Date: 3-16-2025
Requested EVA Date: 03-21-2025
Requested start time for EVA: 8:00
Requested end time for EVA: 11:00
Does the weather report support EVA at this time?: Yes
Purpose of EVA: Perform Navigation Task
Destination: Kissing Camel Ridge
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 38°23’32"N 110°47’27"W
EVA Participants: GreenHab and Engineering
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road 0110
Mode of travel: Rover and on foot
Vehicles you will be using (If applicable): Curiosity
FRIDAY MARCH 21, EVA 2
Today’s Date: 13-16-2025
Requested EVA Date: 03-21-2025
Requested start time for EVA: 11:30
Requested end time for EVA: 14:30
Does the weather report support EVA at this time?: Yes
Purpose of EVA: Perform navigation task
Destination: Compass Rock
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 38°25’03"N 110°46’31"W
EVA Participants: Commander A and Medic
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road 0110
Mode of travel: Rover and on foot
Vehicles you will be using (If applicable): Spirit
FRIDAY MARCH 21, EVA 3
Today’s Date: 13-16-2025
Requested EVA Date: 03-21-2025
Requested start time for EVA: 15:00
Requested end time for EVA: 18:00
Does the weather report support EVA at this time?: Yes
Purpose of EVA: Perform navigation task
Destination: Cowboy Corner
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 38°25’29"N 110°47’17"W
EVA Participants: Commander B, Scientist
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road 0110, park at Cowboy Corner and walk nearby
Mode of travel: Rover and on foot
Vehicles you will be using (If applicable): Perseverance
Crew 309 HSO Beginning Of Mission Checklist
[title HSO Beginning Of Mission Checklist- March 17th]
Submitted by: Priyanka Vasu, Medic/Health and Safety Officer
Crew: 312
Date: 17Mar2025
Part 1
Locate and confirm the emergency escape routes in the Hab are functional and clear:
Stairs (between lower end upper deck): Functional and clear
Emergency window (upper deck, east side): Functional and clear
Commander’s window (located in the commander’s crew quarter): Functional and clear
Part 2
Inventory First Aid kit and note what needs to be refilled: Refilling is not required at the moment
Part 3
Note any safety issues: Nil
Note any health/environmental issues: Nil
Note any missing or recommended health and safety supplies: Nil
Part 4
Safety Equipment Inventory: All equipment are available and functional
Operations Report – March 19th
SOL: 3
Name of person filing report: Jesús, Crew Engineer
Non-nominal systems: None
Notes on non-nominal systems: None
ROVERS
Spirit rover : not used
Opportunity rover: not used
Curiosity rover: Used
Beginning Hours: 302
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending Hours: 302.4
Ending charge: 75%
Currently charging: yes
Perseverance rover: used
Beginning Hours: 311.8
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending Hours: 312
Ending charge: 92%
Currently charging: yes
General notes on rovers: Worked as expected.
Summary of Hab operations: Exercise activities, cooking, EVA preparation, equipment troubleshooting
Water Use (please use both methods to estimate water usage)
Time of measurements: 5:00 pm
1) Per formula (see notes): 22.22 gal
2) Smart Home Dashboard (see notes): 32.83 gal
Water (static tank, remaining gallons): 418.19 gal (based on Smart Home)
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): on
Static tank heater (on or off) : off
Toilet tank emptied (no or yes): no
Summary of internet: used from 7 pm to 10 pm for reports
Summary of suits and radios:
Suits :
1 -> 100%, used
2 -> 100%, used
3 -> 100%, not used
Suits : Bolts on helmet hinges were very loose during/after the first EVA but were tightened for the second.
Radios : Radio 1 stopped working during the last portion of second EVA but resumed functionality after it was turned off and on upon return to HAB. Cause unknown.
Summary of GreenHab operations: Plants were watered.
WATER USE: 6 gallons
Heater (On or Off): On
Supplemental light (hours of operation): 5 to 10 pm
Harvest (name, weight in grams): None
Summary of ScienceDome operations: None
Dual split (Heat or AC, On or Off): Off
Summary of RAM operations: (Tools used, work done): None
Summary of any observatory issues: None
Summary of health and safety issues: None
Sol Summary – March 18th
Crew 309 Sol Summary Report 18Mar2025
Sol: 2
Summary Title:
Author’s name: Co-Commander A
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary:
- This morning commander A and crew engineer went on their 2nd EVA of the week. Today was especially windy and so the crew was mainly upstairs to keep warm because the heaters were struggling to keep up. Following lunch the crew noticed the smell of propane down stairs and began investigating the heater. We determined that the high winds were affecting the heating system. The high winds also knocked down a safety ladder which the crew had to secure. Eventually we had to shut off the heater for a few hours and just use a small space heater upstairs. As the winds began to slow we were able to turn the heat back on and our second EVA, which was delayed by the weather, was completed successfully. In the evening we had a good dinner and conversed about lessons learned from the day.
Look Ahead Plan: We will be conducting two EVAs tomorrow in the morning and afternoon
Anomalies in work:
- The heating system was set to 70 and then 72 but the hab stayed consistently at 67. We believe this is due to the strong winds. An hour later it has risen to 68 but has not reached 72. Upon examination, the heating system is not consistently blowing hot air. Current time is about 10:00 AM.
- Crew smelled a propane smell, and a gas alarm went off. Engineer used a gas detector and no leaks were detected. Crew examined the HVAC system and found an error code blinking. The diagnosis is that the excessive winds are affecting the pressure switch of the HVAC causing it to turn on and off. This diagnosis explains the HVAC not staying continuously on until target temperature is reached and the propane smell. Current temperature is set to reach 72 degrees, but the temperature is at 67. Winds are at about 30 mph and should be less tonight. Current time is about 1:00 PM.
- Crew communicated with Mission Support to replace the HVAC filter. Crew has replaced the air filter for the HVAC. Current time is about 2:45 PM.
- The propane smell persisted and became substantial at 3:00 PM. We are turning the HVAC off and using the space heater on the green/low setting.
- Around 5:30 PM, the wind reduced and the crew turned the HVAC system back on. We have experienced and has had no issues going
Weather: Windy, 27F / 48F
Crew Physical Status: Nominal
EVA: 2 EVAs completed
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist Report, GreenHab, Operations Report
Support Requested: None
GreenHab Report – March 18th
GreenHab Officer: Prachi Dutta
Environmental control (fan & heater): Yes
Average temperatures (last 24h): 91.1 F
Maximum temperature (last 24h): 131 F
Minimum temperature (last 24h): 40.8 F
Hours of supplemental light: 5pm-10pm
Daily water usage for crops: 12 Gallons
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: None
Water in Blue Tank (200 gallon capacity): 183 gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops: 1.30 pm
Changes to crops: None
Narrative: Watered the crops.
Harvest: 30g basil, 92g of carrots
Support/supplies needed: None
Operations Report – March 18th
SOL: 2
Name of person filing report: Jesús, Crew Engineer
Non-nominal systems: HAB Heating system
Notes on non-nominal systems: The HAB heating system was failing to heat consistently due to excessive winds, replaced air filter, checked for gas leaks, replaced air filter, shut off heating system at around 3 pm due to intense propane smell across the HAB and began use of the electric space heater, but returned to furnace use around 6 pm.
ROVERS
Spirit rover : not used
Opportunity rover: not used
Curiosity rover: Used
Beginning Hours: 301.7
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending Hours: 302
Ending charge: 73%
Currently charging: no
Perseverance rover: used
Beginning Hours: 311.5
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending Hours: 311.8
Ending charge: 75%
Currently charging: yes
General notes on rovers: Worked as expected.
Summary of Hab operations: Heating system troubleshooting, cooking, EVA preparation
Water Use (please use both methods to estimate water usage)
Time of measurements (collect data for the same time window): 4:50 pm
1) Per formula (see notes): 45.75 gal
2) Smart Home Dashboard (see notes): 27.35 gal
Water (static tank, remaining gallons): 451.02 gal (based on Smart Home)
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): on
Static tank heater (on or off) : off
Toilet tank emptied (no or yes): no
Summary of internet: used from 7 pm to 10 pm for reports
Summary of suits and radios:
Suits :
1 -> 100%, used
2 -> 100%, used
3 -> 100%, not used
Suits : Nothing to report.
Radios : During EVA 5, chatter between radio 4 and 5 was full of static for around 30 min of the EVA
Summary of GreenHab operations: Plants were watered.
WATER USE: 12 gallons
Heater (On or Off): On
Supplemental light (hours of operation): 5 to 10 pm
Harvest (name, weight in grams):
Basil: 30 g
Carrots: 92 g
Summary of ScienceDome operations: None
Dual split (Heat or AC, On or Off): Off
Summary of RAM operations: (Tools used, work done): Medic worked on medical rover, no specific tools were used. Gas sniffer and space heater were moved from RAM to the main HAB due to heating issues.
Summary of any observatory issues: None
Summary of health and safety issues: None
Journalist Report – March 18th
Journalism Report for Sol 2
Red Mars, Green Mars
Mars is known for its reddish color in the night sky and this crew can confirm that the dirt out here is quite red. Each EVA tracks in some dust and this morning’s crew brought in a whole beach’s worth of sand which we had to sweep up afterwards. The red of the Martian terrain is a unique sort of beautiful, but it’s nothing compared to the wonderful green in our GreenHab. This module might be the best in the whole complex. The GreenHab has lots of tomatoes, onions, and basil which we used to make a tasty spaghetti dinner tonight. Not only is it full of plants and veggies to eat, but it’s always warm – and Mars is very cold. Especially today. The GreenHab was a true oasis of warmth today while our main hab heater struggled to keep up with the wind and cold and our crew engineer tried to fix it.
Crew Photos – March 18th
You must be logged in to post a comment.