Sol Summary – May 18th
Crew 281 Sol Summary Report 18 May 2023
Sol: 4
Summary Title: Rest, research and plan
Author’s name: Ritupriya Patil (XO) and Megan Kane (Commander)
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary:
EVA: We did not do any EVA today to give ourselves a break from strenuous activity, focus on the research and get some good planning done for the future EVAs
In the Greenhab, KC (Crew Engineer) and Megan (Commander) established a cross flow technique for passive circulation and investigated potential use of evaporative cooling.
In the science dome, Megan (Commander) has her cacao experiment in progress and Rachel (HSO) worked on her software defined radio.
In the RAM, retrieved supplies for projects in hab and green hab.
Ritupriya (XO) investigated best drone flying techniques to capture scanlines to aid georeferencing and worked with Ana (Crew Scientist) to plan all the future EVA locations and objectives.
After the research and hab work, we did report writing. For dinner we made a tomato sauce based pasta, this sauce was delicious and was made with the green hab harvested tomatoes.
We did some recreational team building and worked on setting up our characters for Dungeons and Dragons.
After 8 pm the crew will be doing a crew bonding exercise.
Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow we plan on an EVA around the hab to set up ham radio antenna, test rock sampling device, exterior hab inspection and video record the operations
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Windy, 43 Km/h gusts
Crew Physical Status: No changes
EVA: None
Reports to be filed:
Greenhab Report
Ops Report
Journalist Report
PHOTOS!
Photo of the Day
Support Requested:
Mission support is requested in case of storms, if the antenna needs to come down or be retrieved.
Journalist Report – May 18th
Crew 281 Journalist Report 18 May 2023
Journalist Report
Crew 281
By: Rachel Jones
Sol 4 was a science day. The team had been pushing hard on EVAs for
the past three days; thus, a break day was needed. The crew slept in
late (i.e., past 0700). Then KC prepared a chocolate chip pancake
brunch from dehydrated scratch. I spent the morning building a
Raspberry Pi system to utilize an RTL-Software Defined Radio (SDR). My
efforts were frustrating as typical troubleshooting methods (i.e.,
looking it up online) were unavailable. This frustration sparked crew
discussion of a future Mars mission’s possible network architecture
and the need for a Mars intranet.
The afternoon brought each individual to pursue their individual
projects. KC, our all-in-one Crew Engineer, performed Hab maintenance
and monitored systems. He also investigated options for optimizing
GreenHab conditions. During the day, that module can get to over 105
*F, which, for some reason, the current varieties of “MDRS” plants
don’t prefer.
Megan checked on her chocolate plants that are currently sprouting in
the Grow Tent in the Science Dome. I got to help her water the
seedlings as I spent my afternoon researching and troubleshooting
SDRs. Thinking of all the parts I wish I had, I realize the ability to
print tools and spare electronic parts on Mars will be necessary, but
for now, I have a few obstacles to overcome.
Ritu and Ana planned the rest of the crew EVAs. Ritu researched drone
flying techniques to capture scan lines. For our mission, a scan line
is the recorded measurements of the geological and geomechanical
characteristics over a specific distance (i.e., the yellow taped line
in yesterday’s photos). Ana also made educational outreach videos for
the Space for All Nations initiative.
Dinner tonight was penne noodles with fresh tomato sauce. Again, this
sauce utilized a mix of vegetables and herbs harvested from the
GreenHab and supplemented with dehydrated vegetables and spices. After
dinner, activities featured writing reports and working on our
Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) characters.
After a day of rest, Crew 281 is ready to go 100% in Sol 5.
GreenHab Report – May 18th
Crew 281 GreenHab Report 18 May 2023
GreenHab Officer: Megan Kane
Environmental control: mixed door open/ door open with fan
Average temperatures: 92.4 °F
Hours of supplemental light: None
Daily water usage for crops: 1.45 gallons
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 0.4 gallons
Water in Blue Tank 172.34 gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops:
0834: refilled 2 water bottle (1 L) watered other plants as needed 1.5 L
1230: refilled 1 water bottle (500 mL) watered other plants as needed 1 L
Changes to crops: None
Narrative:
In the morning the GreenHab was checked and watered as required. Initial temperature was 90.8 degrees Fahrenheit dropping to only 86.9 degrees after the door was propped open. Air was stagnant. As per instructions the fan was not turned on.
Mission control was sent a request to permit working on ideas to cool the GreenHab with the goal of extending the greenhouse operations into the summer weather. This was granted and we began working to improve the airflow. We were able to generate a passive cross breeze in the GreenHab. Supplemental airflow was utilized during the midday peak heat of 105 °F and turned off when the clouds came back.
Utilizing several measurements in the GreenHab and referencing a psychrometric chart, we started the calculations to see if an alternative form of evaporative cooling could be constructed. We did a few tests with materials available to see which would be best for creating an adhoc cooling system. Further work will be done on this tomorrow. The goal being to always keep the GreenHab under 100 degrees. The temperature varied from 86 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. It is noted that it is hottest in the morning and noon time frame due to the additional shade provided by the hab in the late afternoon.
Harvest: (include which crop and mass in grams): None
Support/supplies needed: None
Operations Report – May 18th
Crew 281 Operations Report 18-05-2023
SOL: 4
Name of person filing report: Megan Kane (Commander)
Non-nominal systems:
Lower deck shopvac filter
Electrical outlets in kitchen
Remote observatory
EVA Helmet
Notes on non-nominal systems:
No new notes.
ROVERS
Rover numbers from previous sol summaries as there was no EVA today.
Spirit rover used: No
Hours: (before EVA): 222.2
Hours: (after EVA): NA
Beginning charge: (Before EVA): NA
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): NA
Currently charging: Yes
Opportunity rover used: No
Hours: (before EVA): 129.6
Hours: (after EVA):
Beginning charge: (Before EVA): NA
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): NA
Currently charging: Yes
Curiosity rover used: No
Hours: (before EVA): 239.8
Hours: (after EVA): NA
Beginning charge: (Before EVA): NA
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): NA
Currently charging: Yes
Perseverance rover used: No
Hours: (before EVA): 264.3
Hours: (after EVA): NA
Beginning charge: (Before EVA): NA
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): NA
Currently charging: Yes
General notes on rovers: no rovers were used
Summary of Hab operations: put notes here
WATER USE: 29.4 gallons
Water (static tank): 396.4 gallons
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): off
Static tank heater (On or off): off
Toilet tank emptied: yes
Summary of internet:
nominal
Summary of suits and radios: All suits and radios are fully recharged.
Summary of GreenHab operations:
WATER USE: 1.85 gallons
Heater: Off
Supplemental light: Off
Harvest: in grams : 0
Summary of Science Dome operations:
Dual split: Heat and AC, Off
Cacao Experiment:
Pulled out and checked cacao seeds
Ham Radio Work:
Worked on software defined radios
Summary of RAM operations: (Tools used, work done)
Retrieved supplies for projects in Hab and Greenhab
Summary of any observatory issues: NA
Summary of health and safety issues:
No new issues to report.
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support:
Request Mission Support assistance for the remainder of the mission related to the Ham Radio antenna being installed tomorrow in case of emergency or damage.
Crew Photos – May 17th
Sol Summary – May 17th
Crew 281 Sol Summary Report 17 May 2023
Sol: 3
Summary Title: Geotechnical Surveys and Bread
Author’s name: Ritupriya Patil (XO) and Megan Kane (Commander)
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary:
EVA 3: Ana Pires (Crew Scientist)(EVA Lead) and KC Shasteen (Crew Engineer)(EVA Comm). Hab Comm: Ritupriya Patil (XO)
EVA prep began at 7 am when we started prepping the suits, radio comms, helmets and air circulation. KC Shasteen (Crew Engineer) made the pre-EVA checks with radios and spacesuits. After a 15 minute pre-breath followed a 5 minute depressurization in the air lock, leaving the airlock at 7:35 am. Waterchecks were scheduled after each station in the Geotechnical survey. Mid EVA one piece of equipment required repair, it was completed successfully. All objectives were completed. The Geotechnical survey took less time than initially expected and the team returned early.
In the Greenhab an airflow diverter was tested. With this change there should be no future concerns during this mission about excessive airflow on the plants in front of the fan when it is in use.
In the science dome, 2 research projects were worked on.
Lunch was freshly baked bread with butter and a delicious sauteed veggie medley. Ritupriya (XO) held a yoga stretch session to destress and work on the post EVA aches and soreness.
Dinner was left overs from all the yummy meals in the past couple days.
Look Ahead Plan:
Tomorrow we plan to have a restful day. We will do hab operations, maintenance, and daily research activities and set aside time for recreational activities. There will be no EVA tomorrow.
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Windy, 39 Km/h gusts
Crew Physical Status: No changes
EVA: Completed 1 today
Reports to be filed:
● Greenhab Report
● EVA Report
● Ops Report
● Journalist Report
● PHOTOS!
● Photo of the Day
Support Requested:
● None
GreenHab Report – May 17th
Crew 281 GreenHab Report 17 May 2023
GreenHab Officer: Megan Kane
Environmental control: fan with door open
Average temperatures: 90.38
Hours of supplemental light: None
Daily water usage for crops: 1.72 gallons
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: NA
Water in Blue Tank 174.19 gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops:
0800: refilled 8 water bottle (4 L) watered other plants as needed 1.5 L
1505: refilled 1 water bottle (500 mL) watered other plants as needed 500 mL
Changes to crops:
Average temperature was the highest it has been since we started. The highest tomato leaves dropped a little during the hottest part of the day but there is no sign of wilting. The plants are in good condition.
Narrative:
In the morning the greenhab was checked and watered as required. For plants without a passive watering system, a dowel rod was used to perforate the soil crust in 1-3 places per planter to allow the water to get down to the roots more efficiently and reduce evaporation.
The morning was a bit hazy and the temperature during the initial test of the airflow diverter went well. However once the haze dissipated the interior quickly rose in temperature. Opening the door after the test had a slight effect. The Crew Engineer and Greenhab officer looked at the evaporative cooling system to see if it could be utilized as we have entered the time of year and weather conditions where it would be effective. It was determined that we would need to reach out to mission control and that setup would likely require an EVA.
This afternoon ingredients for making a marinara sauce were harvested.
There is concern about the lack of humidity in the greenhab and the increasing temperatures.
Harvest: (include which crop and mass in grams)
Tomatoes 514
Basil 1
Sage 1
Chives 7
Oregano 1
Thyme 1
Support/supplies needed:
We request additional information on evaporative cooler including:
· Make and model
· Date last used
· Status when last used (operational or broken)
· Method of connecting the system to a water supply and which one.
EVA Report – May 17th
Crew 281 EVA Report 17-05-2023
EVA # 4
Authors: Ritupriya Patil (Executive Officer), Ana Pires (Crew Scientist)
Purpose of EVA:
Conduct Geotechnical Survey of the area and geomechanical assessment
Schmidt Hammer and Equotip measurements along scanlines
Geological and geotechnical assessment of the scanline using the created datasheet by the Crew Scientist
Acquire images and collect loose rock/soil
Take pictures at Marble Ritual, on the way back, if time and energy allow
Start time: 0735 hrs
End time: 0944 hrs
Narrative:
Crew of started pre-EVA prep at 7 am. KC Shashteen (Crew Engineer) did radio and suit checks. The crew donned the suits and were ready for 15 mins of pre-breathing at 0715 hrs. The crew left the hab at 0735 hrs to begin the EVA on Opportunity rover, which was driven to Pooh’s corner. The crew arrived at Pooh’s corner at 0748 hrs and found a location for rock and soil sample collection about 125 m north of where the rover was parked. They began hardness sampling with a scanline of 200 m, and set up fibreglass tape, Schimdt hammer and equotip equipment. The crew took water breaks to keep themselves hydrated throughout the EVA. After a 5 station long scanline they completed the measurements and returned to the vehicle at 0913 hrs. On their way back to the hab, the crew stopped at Marble Ritual for some pictures of the geological features.
Overall, the crew had a successful EVA with new learnings and they re-entered the hab at 0944 hrs after 5 mins of pressurisation time in the air lock.
Overview of EVA
Collect rock and soil samples for hardness analysis
Visual observation on the area at Marble Ritual
Issues Experienced During EVA
The crew had only one pen to record the scanline measurements. This became problematic when the ball point was badly damaged since it may have hit a rock and it temporarily stopped working. They were able to make it work but we should have a contingency plan.
The equipment came unscrewed and due to the gloves, the crew lost the sensation that the equipment fell off. They were able to locate the part and put it back together to continue with measurements.
Tourists showed up at the EVA location again but there was no interaction from them.
Outcomes
The crew had some confusion on first stop for the EVA, there should have been a pre-brief in the morning that did not happen.
The system works well but we need to understand how to integrate the geotechnical equipment with the spacesuit and gloves for better handling in future space activities.
Collected hardness sampling measurements for 5 station long scanlines.
Collected 18 rocks of 1120 grams and 1 soil sample of 95 grams at Pooh’s corner
Destination: a) Pooh’s Corner and walking no more than a radius of 500m; b) On the way back, stop in Marble Ritual and walk no more than 300m.
Coordinates a) (use UTM WSG 84): 0519025 E, 4251183 N
Coordinates b) (use UTM WSG 84): 0518687 E, 4250789 N
EVA Participants 2: KC (Crew Engineer), Ana Pires (Crew Scientist and EVA Leader)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Drive on Cow Dung Road and walk east until Pooh’s Corner. On the way back, a quick stop in Marble Ritual to take extra photos.
Mode of travel: Opportunity
Journalist Report – May 17th
Crew 281 – Journalist Report, 17 May 2023
Report by: Rachel Jones
Sol 3, Today was our first "longer" EVA mission. The whole team worked to prepare KC and Ana. They were going to Pooh’s Corner and Marble Ritual to perform scan lines while testing new geotechnical equipment. Once the EVA team returned everyone helped them doff their gear.
For lunch Megan made fresh bread. We ate bread dipped/spread/stuffed with a sauteed vegetable medley containing tomatoes harvested from the Green Hab combined with freeze dried vegetables and rice vinegar. It was astonishingly delicious. We’ve voted that the rice vinegar KC brought was a welcome edition to the MDRS kitchen.
The afternoon sent us all to our various projects. Megan checked on her chocolate seeds. Ana analyzed her collected data. Ritu started on our reports and planned for the next EVA. KC handled various Hab maintenance. We had strong winds in the afternoon and KC fortified the tunnel system. I (not having cooked) challenged myself to use less water doing dishes. MDRS recommends a sink of soapy water and a sink of rinse water. Then I did general Hab cleaning on the upper floor, before taking an inventory of MDRS’s amateur radio station. Truly, it’s science, maintenance, and cleaning everyday.
Pre-dinner we did a group yoga session. Dinner tonight is leftovers. I’m hoping to eat some of Sol 2’s quesadillas.