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Astronomy Report – December 13th

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astronomy-report]

Name: Cesare Guariniello
Crew: 288
Date: 13 Dec 2023

MDRS ROBOTIC OBSERVATORY
Robotic Telescope Requested (choose one): cloudy weather at MDRS. Will check MLC.
Objects to be Imaged this Evening: cloudy weather, working on imagery from previous night
Images submitted with this report: M31 (Andromeda Galaxy) imaged with MDRS-WF. 40 captures of 30 seconds each in R, G, B, and Lum.
Problems Encountered: None, but M31 captures with the MLC telescope were flat

MUSK OBSERVATORY
Solar Features Observed: None
Images submitted with this report: None
Problems Encountered:
Telescope had wrong home location: fixed. Now the home location is the same as the switch location (aligned with the pier, facing North).
Telescope seem to have been abused a little:
The whole section with the prominence tuning knob was loose and “rotating”. Tightened.
Prominence tuning knob was unscrewed almost entirely (one inch of the golden part showing).
Blocking filter/diagonal pushed too far inside, with the silver line invisible. Pulled out and put in proper order.
Eyepiece thumb screws insanely tight. Never happened before. We tried to unscrew one of them with pliers and it snapped before it began unscrewing (photo attached) which, according to the crew engineer, can happen only if it is bound at the collar. This means that someone tried to screw it very hardly, so that it became embedded in the collar. We can try to remove the remaining piece, but it will likely require drilling. The other screw was holding enough that I used the eyepiece and the CCD, but ONLY with the diagonal pointing up, for safety.
On closing the dome, the bottom shutter did not close. We troubleshot with the Program Director, tried various batteries, tested the wires, until attaching a battery directly to the motor. The fuse works, other connections work, the top shutter works. After excluding everything else, we think it is the motor. Since it is raining, we uncoupled the ball screw from the motor, closed the bottom shutter manually and secured it with ropes. We will run more troubleshooting tomorrow.

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Operations Report – December 15th

Crew 288 Operations Report 12-15-2023
SOL: 5
Name of person filing report: Jeus Meza-Galvan
Non-nominal systems: All systems nominal.
Notes on non-nominal systems: No non-nominal systems.
ROVERS
Spirit rover used: No
Hours: (before EVA)
Beginning charge: (Before EVA)
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging)
Currently charging: Yes
Opportunity rover used: No
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging: Yes
Curiosity rover used: No
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging: Yes
Perseverance rover used: No
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging: Yes
General notes on rovers: Rovers were not used today.
Summary of Hab operations:
WATER USE: 16 gallons
Water (static tank): 406 gallons
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On
Static tank heater (on or off): On
Toilet tank emptied: No.
Summary of internet: Internet is nominal.
Summary of suits and radios: Suits and radios are nominal.
Summary of GreenHab operations:
WATER USE: 4.5 gallons
Heater: On
Supplemental light: On
Harvest:
Basil: 5 g
Arugula: 7 g
Kale: 15 g

Summary of ScienceDome operations: Science dome used to do office work today.
Dual split: Heat or AC: On
Summary of RAM operations: (Tools used, work done): RAM was not used today.
Summary of any observatory issues: Observatory was not used today. All systems are nominal.
Summary of health and safety issues: No health or safety issues.
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: None.

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Journalist Report – December 15th

Lipi Roy, Crew 288 Journalist
12.15.2023
Sol 05
With Hunter’s spam fried rice for breakfast, my potato parathas for lunch, and Cesare’s pizzas for dinner, seems like this crew has found their salvation in isolation. In a long, four-hour walking-EVA, it is important to be fed well – before AND after!
Today, Cesare (Commander), Hunter (Geologist), Jilian (HSO), and Jesus(Crew Engineer) walked up to Skyline Rim to collect more geology samples. In the vast expanse of the red planet, the group walked up to Hab Ridge first, where we could spot their tiny faces from the commander’s window. A friendly wave to our friends; awaiting their safe return. We could intermittently hear them play ’20 questions’ to spice up the walk. Great idea, crew!
We welcomed them back with another round of kitchen experiments (which, thankfully, did not go wrong this time). Everyone seemed to enjoy the Indian parathas I made; hope they helped satisfy the exhausted astronauts.
The best part would still be the assortment of four pizzas by our commander – basil/mushroom, meat lover’s, pineapple/spam, and Nutella. Topped up with freshly harvested herbs from the Greenhab (thanks to our GHO, Ryan), what more could someone ask for?

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GreenHab Report – December 15th

GreenHab Officer: Ryan DeAngelis
Environmental control: Turned fan on for half an hour today to cool down the GreenHab. The heater was on automatically, and the door was kept closed.
Average temperatures: 85 degrees peak, 75 degrees on average
Hours of supplemental light: 10 pm to 2 am (4 hours)
Daily water usage for crops: 4.5 gallons
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: None
Water in Blue Tank (200 gallon capacity): __169__ gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops: 4:00 pm
Changes to crops: Harvested a few crops, but no other changes
Narrative: The tomatoes were doing better today. I may have to put a cage on one of the tomato plants soon, I will likely do that tomorrow. The two cucumber plants I was worried about aren’t doing worse, but they aren’t doing better per se. Will observe and look at it tomorrow. I harvested a little bit of fresh basil today and it made our pizza tonight delicious.
Harvest: Basil: 5 g, arugula: 7 grams, kale: 15 grams. Total: 27 grams
Support/supplies needed: None

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EVA Report – December 15th

EVA # 5
Author: Cesare Guariniello
Purpose of EVA: Scouting EVA for accessibility and location for drone experiments on HAB ridge, and searching for kaolinite at the bottom of skyline ridge.
Start time: 1100
End time: 1428
Narrative: This EVA is dedicated to our friends at Nanohmics, Inc. The EVA began at 1100 led by Hunter and Cesare and joined by Jesus and Jilian. The crew prepared a limited amount of equipment for the long walk (GPS units, rock hammer, flags, sample bags, notepad with paper and ruler, a map, and the outdoor first aid kit). The crew walked north of the habitat, while observing the emplacement of various layers, then identified the intersection with 1103, Sagan Rd, and began ascending to Hab Ridge. This part of the EVA also had an exploratory function, to assess whether the gentle ascend is easily accessible (it is), and to identify a suitable location for an experiment of transportation of small samples with our drone. We also took panoramic context photos for past EVAs. After a brief stop to collect Gryphaea fossils, the crew began the long walk (about 2 miles) to Skyline Rim. A few stops along the way occurred when interesting examples of gypsum made their appearance. Once at the foot of Skyline Rim cliff, the crew identified a location with diverse samples from the various overlying layers, established a station and collected samples under the direction of our crew geologist Hunter. Two and a half hours into the EVA, the crew began its long and satisfied walk back to the habitat. During the walk back, they picked some old trash and played some MDRS-themed game of 20 questions. They began airlock re-pressurization at 1453.
Destination: Hab Ridge + Skyline Rim
Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): N516000 E4251500
Participants: Jilian Welshoff (Health and Safety Officer), Hunter Vannier (Crew Geologist), Cesare Guariniello (Commander), Jesus Meza (Crew Engineer)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Walk north and then east from HAB on 1103 up Hab Ridge to the base of Skyline Ridge.
Mode of travel: walking

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Sol Summary – December 14th

Sol: 4
Summary Title: A Mystery on Mars and a Disaster in the Kitchen
Author’s name: Jilian Welshoff
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary:
Crew 288 started the day off at 8:00AM for a breakfast of pancakes made by Riley (XO) and Ryan (GHO). They came up with some fun toppings and mix and matched to make the perfect pancake. The crew got heated in a few rounds of Bananagrams to get energy high for another long day of EVAs and Hunter (GEO) lead some group stretches to get our bodies prepped. After popping and locking, 4 crew members, Cesare (CMD), Hunter (GEO), Jesus (ENG), and Lipi (JOU) prepped to go on EVA #4 to Kissing Camel Ridge and Barainca Butte to collect more geology spectrum data. The crew found abundant volcanic rocks of multiple types on the EVA and collected more spectrum data.
The crew that stayed behind had a good time learning proper form for pushups, FINALLY taking showers, and harvesting some parsley and sage for lunch, while remaining responsive and attentive COMs. They (Ryan) attempted to make Carrot cake but created a sugar mass instead induced by an error in the recipe book.
After returning from EVA, the crew got to enjoy the cooking/baking efforts from the rest of the crew and got to take their showers too. Ryan went to the Greenhab to harvest more greens for a salad and dinner. The EVA crew had a debrief to figure out how to execute data collection more efficiently after today’s attempt. While we completed reports and uploaded photos, we had a delicious redemption dinner made by Ryan (GHO) of Pad Thai and await a proper carrot cake in the oven.
Look Ahead Plan: Continue to go on Geology EVAs to collect more data, CO2 continue soldering, begin EVAs for other research, continue collecting data for overall research. Start Greenhab research
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Beautiful day outside, started out cloudy then sunny in the afternoon.
Crew Physical Status: Feeling squeaky clean and ready for a new day of EVA
EVA: Successfully performed EVA #4 to Kissing Camel Ridge and Barainca Butte
Reports to be filed: Eva Report, Journalist Report, Greenhab Report, Operations Report, Sol Summary, Eva Request, Astronomy Report, Photos
Support Requested: None

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Operations Report – December 14th

SOL: 4
Name of person filing report: Jeus Meza-Galvan
Non-nominal systems: All systems nominal.
Notes on non-nominal systems: No non-nominal systems.
ROVERS
Spirit rover used: Yes
Hours: 238.3 (before EVA)
Beginning charge: 100% (Before EVA)
Ending charge: 41% (On return from EVA, before recharging)
Currently charging: No
Opportunity rover used: Yes
Hours: 149.1
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 47%
Currently charging: No
Curiosity rover used: No
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging: Yes
Perseverance rover used: No
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging: Yes
General notes on rovers: Rovers functioning properly.
Summary of Hab operations: Everyone (7 people) showered today.
WATER USE: 36 gallons
Water (static tank): 423 gallons
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On
Static tank heater (on or off): On
Toilet tank emptied: No.
Summary of internet: Internet is nominal.
Summary of suits and radios: Suits and radios are nominal.
Summary of GreenHab operations:
WATER USE: 3 gallons
Heater: On
Supplemental light: On
Harvest:
Kale: 103 g
Parsley: 8 g
Arugula: 8 g
Cilantro: 7 g
Summary of ScienceDome operations: Science dome used for EVA de-brief and geological sample organization.
Dual split: Heat or AC: On
Summary of RAM operations: (Tools used, work done): Tools retrieved from RAM to repair observatory shutter. Used screwdrivers and small ladder. Both were placed back in the RAM after use.
Summary of any observatory issues: Observatory shutter was repaired. Observatory dome is now functioning properly. Dome is closed.
Summary of health and safety issues: No health or safety issues.
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: None.

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Journalist Report – December 14th

Lipi Roy, Crew 288 Journalist
12.14.2023
Sol 04
Four days of EVAs, stargazing, harvesting, and cooking later, I can positively confirm for the entirety of my crew – never again will we ever underestimate the power of a hot shower.
The day began with the tunes of ‘Star Man’ and Riley’s (XO) wonderful pancakes. Filled to the brim with Nutella, syrup, and peanut butter, and energized with Hunter’s (Crew Geologist) crash course of Stretching 101, we were ready for today’s geology EVA.
With an aim to collect volcanic rock samples, Hunter, Cesare (commander), Jesus (crew engineer), and I headed off to the exquisite Barainca Butte; a place whose geological richness would be enough to pique the interest of any geologist. Now, our Hunter isn’t just any geologist, so you can imagine what would have happened! Just kidding, he led the EVA well, often sharing his geology wisdom with us.
“Spot, mark, take ‘before’ photo, take sample, take ‘after’ photo, and repeat” – sounded so simple when Hunter explained it, but add an EVA suit, gloves, and time constraint – and this becomes nothing less than a challenge. Four-and-a-half hours of that later, we came back to a wonderful lunch Riley had decided to surprise us with. Thanks Riley!
It was also supposed to be a delicious carrot-cake afternoon, right Ryan? His ‘switching off the oven lights’ to surprise us, didn’t quite go in his favor because when he unraveled the finished product, it seemed to be less of a cake and more of an overflowing burnt-sugar carrot sauce . A few more minutes of that, and I could have collected another volcanic rock sample from that lava. Cesare and Jilian (HSO) decided to see the silver lining and attempted to eat the sauce. Well, it was a masterpiece in its own unique, slightly burnt, way.
Don’t worry Ryan. These things happen. And as Cesare said – ‘if never make any mistakes, you’ve never tried anything new’! Anyhow, we appreciate the thought behind it; and you did manage to redeem yourself at dinner with a yummy Pad-Thai and with an actual carrot cake.
The biggest highlight still was the hot shower the whole crew was allowed to get today. I understand the importance of water conservation in a mission like this, but I swear, I will never again look at a shower in the same way again.