Daily Photos – April 24th
Commander's Report – April 24th
Commander, PHEnOM Gold Crew, MDRS #193
Mission Sol 2 (Earth Day April 24th, 2018)
Woke up to a beautiful Martian morning! Weather on Mars has been beautiful boosting the crew’s exploratory spirits!
After a quick breakfast our first EVA crew, our XO and HSO set on to explore the southern sites of Phobos Peak and Kissing Camel ridge. The crew that stayed back worked on engineering (CE), astronomy (CGA) and greenhab (CO). The crew enjoyed a scrumptious lunch of Thai green vegetable curry and chicken curry with brown rice. It was refreshing to have fresh green bell peppers and tomatoes from our greenhab while cooking those curries!
The afternoon EVA was adventurous as we, the CE, CGA and me, set out to first locate the shelter the previous crew had marked.
We then headed to the Tank Wash area where amongst small canyons, river beds and stream beds we found 2 caves big enough to house 7 to 8 people during an emergency evacuation or to take shelter during storms.
The coordinates for the cave that we think is an ideal emergency shelter are (0518913, 4252915).
We worked in the RAM for the rest of our EVA on the new MDRS signpost project.
The challenge in this EVA was the lack of means to communicate with our CGA who is hearing impaired. His beartooth device malfunctioned. We got creative and used sign language plus typing text in my phone to communicate with him. I feel content knowing we have been able to work around issues, involve him in our EVA’s and he is having as much adventure and fun while working on research and exploration during the EVA’s.
Our CE and I spent some time planning the new MDRS signpost project, we plan to do it in stages.
We are making good progress on our science, gathering useful data. The crew is healthy and doing great!
It has been amazing to see how the crew has been using their skills and expertise to work around problems, come up with unique solutions and make the best of every situation and available tools while working together as a team. Be it fixing and putting up the signpost during an EVA yesterday, or the emergency engineering EVA to secure the RAM for which our HSO volunteered to go in my place or the way she has been using the medical tools available to collect our health vitals before and after the EVA’s, or the way our CE found the GPS unit in the hab and got it working for our GPS Route Measurements project. I am proud to be a Commander of this stellar team!
It is only Sol 2 and I feel happy with the progress we are making already! Will keep the momentum going 🙂
Thank you for being with us Mission Control (MDRS Director) and Mission Support! Appreciate it.
Signing off for this sol,
Warm Regards,
Commander, (Gold 00), Crew #193
Mars Desert Research Station
(P.S. Abbreviations Legend: CO – Commander / XO – Executive Officer / CE – Crew Engineer / HSO – Health Science Officer / CGA – Crew Geologist and Astronomer)
Science Report – April 24th
Here is the Science Report for 24 April 2018
Crew 193 – PHEnOM Gold Crew
Submitted by XO/Science Officer Doug Campbell
1. Emergency EVAC EVA: Both EVAs today had objectives of identifying more sites which would be possible shelters during an emergency evacuation. EVA 4 was able to identify a cave on the south side of west kissing camels ridge which would be an excellent shelter for all possible issues. EVA 5 located the shelter site that was proposed on EVA 1 on the north ridge. EVA 5 also located another possible evacuation site in the Tank Wash area. Further investigation of possible locations will be done on future EVAs.
2. Sunspot and Solar Flare Monitoring: Please refer to the astronomy report.
3. Shortwave Texting on EVA’s: Beartooth devices did not work today. Will need to troubleshoot the devices this evening. Hand sign language was used instead to communicate with Eric as backup means of communication was left on an ATV.
4. GPS Route Measurements: GPS was taken on EVA 5 which has just returned to the hab. Data will be analyzed for a more fulsome report tomorrow.
5. Waterless dish cleaning: No progress today. Initial testing of dirty dish bacteria growth will commence tomorrow with a plan to do testing on every second day due to the amount of supplies brought by gold XO for the research.
6. The MAG (Maximum Absorbency Garment) utilization study: No progress today
7. Spacesuit Helmet Fogging: Neither crew experienced fogging of the masks today. Both crews used a defogging spray and non-scratch cloth on the masks prior to their EVAs today.
8. Crew Comfort, Health and Safety on EVA: Measurements of the crew’s weight, blood pressure, SpO2 and pulse were taken before and after the EVA. Maximum heart rate was tracked by a mobile monitor during the EVA when the astronaut felt that they were working very hard (normally climbing a large hill). Gold 01 is able to track his heart rate over the entire course of the EVA thanks to mobile technology. Results can be exported and used in this study. Analysis will be done as the mission continues.
Sol 2 Summary – April 24th
Crew 193 Sol Summary Report 24APR2018
Sol 2
Summary Title: Every Sol We Hustlin’…
Author: Dr. Shawna Pandya, Crew Health and Safety Officer
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: EVAs 4 & 5 complete, focusing on science, exploration, and sign-work. In-hab activities consisted of usual maintenance, operations and science. As a team, we managed to fit in some bonding and learn some basic ASL (American Sign Language) phrases from our deaf crewmate. Crucially, I learned to say, “I NEED MY COFFEE!!” in American Sign Language.
Look Ahead Plan: EVA 6 will plan for refueling the ATVs, then North-ward exploration along ‘The Moon’ – objectives: exploration; visor fogging study; emergency shelter scouting on EVA study; crew comfort, health, well-being and safety on EVA study; GPS accuracy on EVA. EVA 7 will plan on continued work in the RAM on the new MDRS sign, as well as visor fogging and crew comfort studies. In-hab activities will focus on the usual maintenance, operations and science. Time permitting, we are for some more crew training in ASL.
Anomalies in work:
1)Team on EVA 5 was forced to use 1 Rover, as the Beartooth communication with our deaf crewmate failed, and the LCD board was taken instead, and could not be safely transported in the ATV.
2)Will be decommissioning spacesuit 7, as the visor is deemed too scratched to allow for safe visualization.
3)One of the two-piece spacesuits came apart at the mechanical neck-ring/backpack interface while on EVA. It will be decommissioned.
Weather: Clear skies in AM, partly cloudy and gusty in PM.
Crew Physical Status: Some blisters, otherwise nominal.
EVA:
EVA 4 – Southeast exploration along Phobos Peak and Kissing Camels’ Ridge E & W; continued work on scouting, crew comfort, visor fogging studies.
EVA 5 – Measurements taken for second MDRS sign; East-ward exploration along Tank Road; continued work on scouting, crew comfort, visor fogging studies.
Reports filed:
GreenHab
EVA 4 Report
Science Report
Astronomy Report
Reports to be filed:
Commander or Journalist’s Report
Operations Report
EVA 5 Report
Photo & Photo of the Day Report
Support Requested:
-Additional fuel for ATVs.
-Requesting location of dropship of supplies that include Vicks Lozenges.
-Happy to attempt to replace the visor on spacesuit 7 if Mission Support can provide us with the appropriate procedure and supplies.
-Happy to attempt to repair the two-piece spacesuit if Mission Support can provide us with the appropriate procedure and supplies.
GreenHab Report – April 24th
Green Hab Report
Name: Doug Campbell
Date: 24 Apr 2018
Environmental control:
Ambient with door open but only for few hours in the afternoon
Shade cloth: on
Fan: not used today
Average temperatures: 39.2 C
Low: 16.7℃
High: 48.2℃
Hours of supplemental light: None
Changes to crops: None
Daily water usage for crops: 6.5 Gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops: Twice: In the morning at 900am and afternoon 445pm.
Morning research observations: None
Changes to research plants: An apple seed that sprouted in the hab was transferred to a pot in the green hab.
Aquaponics: None
Narrative: No significant changes.
Support/supplies needed: None
Astronomy Report – April 24th
Astronomy Report
Name: Eric Shear
Crew: 193
Date: April 24, 2018
Sky Conditions: Clear/Cloudy
Wind Conditions: None
Observation Start Time: 0800
Observation End Time: 930
Summary:
Monitored the sun for sunspot activity. Only one sunspot was found – it appears to be a merger of the two seen on the previous observation. Prominences were very small and only visible with the eye, not with the Skyris camera. No flares or filaments were seen.
Photos were taken with the Skyris camera and the best image processed in Autostakkert, Registax, Photoshop, and PowerPoint to colorize and bring out contrast. The result is attached.
Objects Viewed: Sun
Problems Encountered: Clouds later in the observation period, after sunspot image was taken. The Registrax program froze and had to be restarted.
EVA Report 1 – April 24th
Sol 2 Crew 193 EVA 4 Summary
Earth-Date April 24 2018
EVA Gold Crew Members – Gold001 (XO Campbell) / Gold004 (HSO Pandya) (Informally: “Team Canada”)
EVA Objectives – Summary
Exploration of Phobos Peak, KIssing Camel Ridge East & West – Accomplished
Scouting and Mapping of Emergency Shelter Sites – Mapped, see below
EVA Comfort, Well-Being, Safety and Optimization Study
Visor Fogging Study – Data collected
Issues
None
ATVs Used
Manual gear-shift (red)
Blue ATV #2
All blue ATVs require fuel; planned for refueling at end of EVA, ran out of time. Will refuel before next use.
Safety Measures & Preparation
Sunscreen/Sun protection – Yes/Medical Exemptions for UV eye-protection provided
Adequate hydration – Yes
Adequate protection – Flightsuit/footwear/visor/glove precautions – Yes
EVA Objectives – Details
Exploration of Phobos Peak, KIssing Camel Ridge East & West – Accomplished
Distance covered by foot – 9.1km
Steps – 12,000
(2) Scouting and Mapping of Emergency Shelter Sites:
Sol: 2
Time of Day: AM
Shelter Designation: Phobos’ Peak & Kissing Camels Ridge E & W
Crew Members: G001/004
Accessibility: Multiple appropriate areas along entire Peak & Ridge
Location: 4250000N, 519000E
Suitability:
Wind storm: Appropriate – Tread with caution, large rocks/potential for landslide
Radiation event: Large, dense, thick rock/caves – seems appropriate, would need to measure depth of rock/caves
Incapacitated crew member: Appropriate
Photo-documentation: Yes
Next Crew Able to Find Shelters based on description/ markers/photodocumentation? N/A
(3) EVA Comfort, Well-Being, Safety and Optimization Study (See below)
Sol 2
Crew Member: G001 | G004
Time of Day: AM | AM
Pre-EVA Weight: 173.4 | 121.2
Post-EVA Weight: 170.4 | 120.6
Pre-EVA BP: 112/76 | 98/70
Post-EVA BP: 120/82 | 106/76
Pre-EVA SpO2: 97% | 96%
Post-EVA SpO2: 93% | 97%
Pre-EVA HR: 67 | 77
Post-EVA HR: 93 | 66
Max Perceived Physical Exertion (1-10): 5 | 5
Max Perceived Mental Exertion (1 (low effort)-10(max concentration)): 1 | 3
Max Perceived Emotional Distress (1 (no distress) – 10(very distressed)): 3 | 2
HR@Max Perceived Exertion: 126 | 136
SpO2 @ Max Perceived Exertion: N/A | 96%
Adequate Pre-Hydration: No | No
Adequate Sun-Protection: Yes | Yes
Subjective Comments: GPS would be really useful | Sunglasses fogged up
(4) Visor Fogging Study – Data Collected
Parameters Choose an option XO HSO EVA Time Morning/Afternoon? AM AM Weather Complete/Partial Overcast Or Clear Clear Clear EVA Suit type One/two piece 1 1 Did the visor fog? Yes/no N N Did the visor fog clear? Yes/no N/A N/A How much did the fog limit visibility? 1-10; clear-opaque N/A N/A What were you doing when it fogged? N/A N/A Did it fog more quickly with exertion? Yes/no N/A N/A What was your exertion level? 1-10; blinking eyes-heart attack N/A N/A How long was the visor fogged? Minutes N/A N/A Did you feel air flow within helmet? Yes/no Rarely Y
EVA Report – April 23rd
Sol 1 Crew 193
EVA 1 Summary
Earth-Date April 23 2018
EVA Gold Crew Members – Gold001 (XO Campbell) / Gold004 (HSO Pandya) (Informally: “Team Canada”)
EVA Objectives – Summary
- Marble RItual – Accomplished
- Scouting and Mapping of Emergency Shelter Sites – Mapped, see below / Raw data here
- Exploration – Accomplished (See below)
- EVA Comfort, Well-Being, Safety and Optimization Study / Raw data here
- Visor Fogging Study – Data collected / Raw data here
- MAG Study – Not collected.
ATVs Used
- Manual gear-shift (red)
- Blue ATV #1
- No issues noted
Safety Measures & Preparation
- Sunscreen/Sun protection – Yes/Medical Exemptions for UV eye-protection provided
- Adequate hydration – Yes
- Adequate protection – Flightsuit/footwear/visor/glove precautions – Yes
EVA Objectives – Details
- Marble Ritual – Accomplished, no unforeseen events.
- Scouting and Mapping of Emergency Shelter Sites:
| Omar’s Haven | The Rock Slides | |
| Accessibility |
|
|
| Location |
|
|
| Suitability |
|
Wind storm: Appropriate Radiation event: RTB suggested Incapacitated crew member: Appropriate PhotodocumentationYY Next crew able to find shelters based on description/markers/photodocumentation
- Exploration:
- Distance covered by foot – 6km
- Steps – 8,000
- EVA Comfort, Well-Being, Safety and Optimization Study (See below)
| G001 | G004 | |
| Time of Day | AM | AM |
| Pre-EVA Weight | N/A | N/A |
| Post-EVA Weight | 172.4lbs | 126.4lbs |
| Pre-EVA BP | N/A | N/A |
| Post-EVA BP | N/A | N/A |
| Pre-EVA SpO2 | N/A | N/A |
| Post-EVA SpO2 | N/A | N/A |
| Pre-EVA HR | N/A | N/A |
| Post-EVA HR | N/A | N/A |
| Max Perceived Physical Exertion (1-10) | 6-7 | 8 |
| Max Perceived Mental Exertion (1 (low effort)-10 (max concentration)) | 7-8 | 3 |
| Max Perceived Emotional Distress (1 (no distress)-10 (very distressed)) | 1 | 1 |
| HR @ Max Perceived Exertion | 117 | 108 |
| Max HR | 126 | N/A |
| Sp02 at Max Perceived Exertion | N/A | 91% |
Subjective Improvements for Future EVAs
- Secure ear-pieces, long hair and sun-protection better
- Pre-EVA blister prevention suggested prior to next EVA
Sol 1 Crew 193
EVA 2 Summary
Earth-Date April 23 2018
EVA Gold Crew Members – Gold00 (CO Patil-Sabale) / Gold03 (CE Attig)/ Gold05 (CGA Shear)
EVA Objectives – Summary
- Marble Ritual – Accomplished
- Scouting and Mapping of Emergency Shelter Sites – Mapped, see below
- Exploration – Accomplished (See below)
- EVA Comfort, Well-Being, Safety and Optimization Study
- Emergency rescue of stranded astronomer
- Repaired and set up the road sign with existing tools
ATVs Used
- Blue ATV #1, 2, 3
- No issues noted
Safety Measures & Preparation
- Sunscreen/Sun protection – Yes
- Adequate hydration – Yes
- Adequate protection – Flightsuit/footwear/visor/glove precautions – Yes
EVA Objectives – Details
- Marble Ritual – Accomplished, no unforeseen events.
- Scouting and Mapping of Emergency Shelter Sites:
| Mountain Goat Trail | Galileo Road | |
| Accessibility |
|
|
| Location |
|
|
| Suitability |
|
· Wind storm: Appropriate · Radiation event: RTB suggested · Incapacitated crew member: Appropriate |
| Photodocumentation | Y | Y |
| Next crew able to find shelters based on description/markers/photodocumentation |
3. Exploration:
- Distance covered by foot – 6.4 km
- Steps – 8,000
4. EVA Comfort, Well-Being, Safety and Optimization Study (See below)
| G00 | G03 | G05 | |
| Time of Day | PM | PM | PM |
| Pre-EVA Weight | 140.2 lbs | 222.6 lbs | 145.6 lbs |
| Post-EVA Weight | 139.4 lbs | 219.4 lbs | 144.2 lbs |
| Pre-EVA BP | 126/98 | 162/110 | 120/82 |
| Post-EVA BP | 118/80 | 128/88 | 120/100 |
| Pre-EVA SpO2 | 97% | 93% | 95% |
| Post-EVA SpO2 | 94% | 91% | 92% |
| Pre-EVA HR | 84 | 91 | 89 |
| Post-EVA HR | 103 | 120 | 96 |
| Max Perceived Physical Exertion (1-10) | 7 | 7 | 5 |
| Max Perceived Mental Exertion (1 (low effort)-10 (max concentration)) | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Max Perceived Emotional Distress (1 (no distress)-10 (very distressed)) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| HR @ Max Perceived Exertion | 164 | 150 | 127 |
| Max HR | |||
| Sp02 at Max Perceived Exertion | 98% | 98% | 95% |
Subjective Improvements for Future EVAs
- Secure ear-pieces, hair and sun-protection better
- Pre-EVA blister prevention suggested prior to next EVA
- Secure sunglasses
Photo Report – April 23rd
1) Photo of the Day: 20180423_090414 – Two intrepid explorers: Sometimes to achieve great heights, we must cross great chasms…
2) Img_7768: Selfie on Mars! (Commander, Crew Engineer and Crew Geologist/Astronomer)
3) Martian Rock: Have we discovered a petrified Martian manta ray?
4) Img_3548: Spotted: A Canadian on Mars
5) 20180423_094608: Hab, sweet, hab…
6) 20180423_165654: Martian tomatoes and peppers from the Hab…
1) Photo of the day
4)
5)
6)
Commander Report – April 23rd
Commander, PHEnOM Gold Crew, MDRS #193
Mission Sol 1 (Earth Day April 23rd, 2018)
We arrived on Mars very early in the morning, well rested and brimming with excitement to explore the red planet and begin our research.
After a few hours of settling down, we started the day off with an EVA.
A task given to us by Mission Control was to scout for locations suitable for the crew to take shelter in during emergencies like dust storms, radiation storm or incapacitated crew member. Both our morning and afternoon EVAs focused on this task.
We had freshly baked banana bread and chicken noodle soup for lunch. Yes, I have been experimenting with my culinary skills on Mars and its been challenging to cook using the dehydrated items available, but for a person who loves cooking its been fun experimenting.
Our afternoon EVA got interesting when we were informed by base of a request from Mission Support to rescue the astronomer in the observatory. After rescuing him and making sure he was safe, we returned to our next EVA task of fixing and putting up the signpost for the site that had been blown away during the storms in the past couple of weeks. Kudos to our Crew Engineer, whose engineering skills and muscle power made this task seem easier after a three and a half hour!
The Crew Engineer and me plan on constructing and designing a new signpost for the MDRS site bringing his engineering and my artistic skills together.
The crew has been doing well and is looking forward to the next few days with great enthusiasm. Spirits are high and passion great for this mission. We plan to tidy up the hab, continue work on our projects and EVA’s and contribute to valuable research that will lead up to Martian colonization in the near future.
Signing off for the day!
Have a great one Mission Support!
Warm Regards
Commander, PHEnOM Gold Crew, MDRS #193
(Anima Patil-Sabale)
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