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Commander Report – November 29th

Sol: 2
Summary Title: Experiment Preparation and EVAs 1&2
Author’s name: Dr. Kristine Ferrone, Commander
Mission Status: Nominal
Commander’s Report:

Crew 269 enjoyed another day of beautiful weather on Mars, with light high-altitude clouds in the morning, becoming clear and sunny in the afternoon. The crew enjoyed oatmeal, homemade sourdough bread, and espresso for breakfast. Technology Officer completed preparations for the afternoon EVA while the rest of the crew completed final preparations, training, and exploration of the local area. After a quick lunch, CDR, XO, and Green Hab Officer embarked on EVA #1 to Marble Ritual. The 1 hour EVA was nominal and conducted rover, analog spacesuit, and communications checkout. Upon the return of the EVA #1 crew, HSO, Technology Officer, and Engineer departed on EVA #2 to Marble Ritual, completed their own rover, analog spacesuit, and communications checkout, then continued on to the location across Cow Dung Rd. where the mirror samples were deployed yesterday. There the crew used a remote control mini-ATV with cameras, controlled from a follow distance of roughly 80-100 ft. The trio drove the mini-ATV from Marble Ritual, south along Cow Dung Rd., and back to the road which turns west back towards the crew habitat collecting data along the way. Upon return from EVA #2, the crew experienced an anomaly with the front outer airlock door and a minor anomaly with the plug-in attachments for one of the space suits. Details of these anomalies are covered in the Operations Report and EVA Reports from today. In the evening, the crew set up the Aerospace microscope in the Science Dome and finished out Green Hab training and the final sections of the HSO checklist. The crew enjoyed spaghetti with meat sauce and homemade garlic bread for dinner and discussed their personal goals for the mission and agreed upon their specific simulation rules.

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Operations Report – November 29th

SOL: 2

Name of person filing report: Ashley Kowalski

Non-nominal systems: (1) Anomaly with the front air lock, (2) “Push” button on EVA suit #7 is broken.

Notes on non-nominal systems: Upon returning from our EVAs, we noticed that the front air lock was difficult to close. The crew members needed to almost lift the door in order to be able to close it. It seemed as though the lower hinge was broken. The crew contacted Tier 1 support regarding this issue. The crew is also willing and interested in scheduling an EVA to try to fix this issue, if mission support is in agreement and the necessary tools/parts are available to us.

Regarding the broken “push” button in suit #7, the crew used a few tools from the RAM and made attempts to fix this, but were unsuccessful. Tier 1 support was contacted, and we are awaiting further instructions on how to fix this. Please note that the broken “push” button does not seem to affect the ability for the suit to charge.

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: Yes
Hours: 201.7 (Start), 201.8 (End)
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 88%
Currently charging: Yes

Opportunity rover used: Yes
Hours: 105.6 (Start), 105.7 (End)
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 90%
Currently charging: Yes

Curiosity rover used: Yes
Hours: 214.4 (Start), 214.5 (End)
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 91%
Currently charging: Yes

Perseverance rover used: Yes
Hours: 250.1 (Start), 250.3 (End)
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 85%
Currently charging: No

General notes on rovers: Three of the four rovers were left charging after the EVAs today. The crew engineer reminded all crew members that that is not the correct protocol. We also received this reminder message from Tier 1 support. The rovers will be left not charging after future EVAs.

Summary of Hab operations:
WATER USE: 20 gallons used today, 45 gallons used in total thus far
Water (static tank): 505 gallons
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On
Static tank heater (On or off): On
Toilet tank emptied: No

Summary of internet: No issues with the internet. Connection is good.

Summary of suits and radios: The two walkie talkies mentioned in yesterday’s report (one from the upstairs set and one from the downstairs set) are still not working.

Summary of GreenHab operations: GreenHab Officer received training today. Additional information can be found in the GreenHab Report.
WATER USE: ~15 gallons
Heater: On
Supplemental light: Off
Harvest: No crops harvested.

Summary of ScienceDome operations: The crew set up their microscope in the ScienceDome today after all of the EVAs were completed. Two extension cords that the crew found in the RAM were used for this set up.

Dual split: No heat or AC used. All systems off.

Summary of RAM operations: Pliers were taken from the RAM into the habitat in order to attempt to fix the “push” button on EVA suit #7. Two extension cords were taken from the RAM in order to power the microscope and supplemental microscope light.

Summary of any observatory issues: No observatory issues.

Summary of health and safety issues: No health and safety issues.

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: None.

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Journalist Report – November 29th

Crew 269 Journalist Report
Date: 29 Nov 2022
Sol: 2
Author: Alli Taylor, Executive Officer

After a quick hot breakfast of oatmeal and rehydrated fruit, Crew 269 gathered on the first floor of the habitat to complete EVA training with MDRS Director Dr. Shannon Rupert and Assistant Director Sergii Iakymov. The crew was shown how to don and doff the spacesuits, make adjustments for comfort, and correctly position headsets and radio equipment. Dr. Rupert also provided an in-depth review of the EVA Planning Map for the local terrain surrounding MDRS, pointing out known paths for rover traverses, and exploration quadrants.
Later that day, with comms equipment securely in place and microphones positioned snugly inside their helmets, the first three crew members entered the airlock to begin a 5-minute depressurization period before opening the airlock to the Martian terrain. The crew tested their ability to ingress and egress the rovers, increased confidence in using the comms system (the radio settings and the push to talk button are blocked from view by the helmet), and briefly explored and captured photographs of the Marble Ritual area before making their way via rovers back to the habitat. With wind whipping sharply through the dune-like hills, the second three crew members later arrived at the Marble Ritual area. The crew deployed a remote control mini all-terrain vehicle, dubbed “Goose”, in the vicinity of Marble Ritual, to capture initial imagery for use in building a 3D model of the terrain as part of one of the primary research objectives. The crew adjusted the configuration of Goose for different measurements, worked together to activate the sensors at the correct timing, and collected data along a small portion of Cow Dung Road while controlling it from about 80-100 ft distance. The team drove Goose back to the crew rovers they had ridden to Marble Ritual, collecting data the entire way. After wrapping up the Sol’s EVAs, the crew came together for an Italian dinner with delicious homemade sourdough and prepared for their next Sol on Mars.

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GreenHab Report – November 29th

GreenHab Officer: Matthew Eby
Environmental control: Heater on, door closed, 20% humidity.
Average temperatures: 79-deg F at time of watering. Range since last monitor reset (uncertain duration): 56-deg F – 110-deg F
Hours of supplemental light: 0 hours
Daily water usage for crops: Approximately 5 gallons
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 0 gallons
Water in Blue Tank: Approximately 235 gallons (Based on a 250 gallon capacity-TBC, visually 95% full)
Time(s) of watering for crops: 4:30 PM
Changes to crops: None
Narrative: Today Dr. Rupert provided training on the GreenHab module, including watering, fertilizing, and harvest recording. Further, we discussed the desired plantings for this rotation, with carrots desired for the open space between the rows of tomato plants, reseeding of the radish bed, and testing the sprout rate for prior season’s open seed packets.
Harvest: None
Support/supplies needed: None needed at this time.

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EVA Report – November 29th

EVA # 1
Author: Alli Taylor
Purpose of EVA: Familiarize with radio communications protocols and driving rovers with spacesuits on.
Start time: 1:17pm
End time: 2:00pm
Narrative: Three crew took two rovers a short distance to Marble Ritual in order to acclimate to driving in a spacesuit and familiarize with use of radio. Short amount of time spent exploring the local area before heading back to the habitat.
Destination: Marble Ritual
Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84):
Participants: Kristine Ferrone, Alli Taylor, Matt Eby
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Rd (0110) to Marble Ritual
Mode of travel: Rovers (Curie, Oppy), Walking

EVA # 2
Author: Alli Taylor, Trevor Jahn
Purpose of EVA: Familiarize with radio communications protocols and driving rovers with spacesuits on.
Start time: 2:42pm
End time: 4:11pm
Narrative: Three crew took two rovers a short distance to Marble Ritual in order to acclimate to driving in a spacesuit and familiarize with use of radio. Additionally, the crew used a remote control mini-ATV with cameras, dubbed “Goose”, controlled from a follow distance of roughly 80-100 ft. The trio drove the RC rover from Marble Ritual, south along Cow Dung Road, and back to the road which turns west back towards the crew habitat collecting data along the way. The EVA was running out of time by then, so the three quickly changed the RC rover configuration for a 3rd time and drove it in a short loop around Marble Ritual collecting data before returning to the crew habitat. The EVA team had some trouble with the airlock door but were able to get it shut after much labor, and concluded the EVA. Crew was 11 mins late getting back to hab due to misunderstanding the EVA would be full 2 hours but the team had failed to re-check the EVA request to confirm before starting the EVA. Next time the crew will double check EVA end time prior to beginning EVA.
Destination: Marble Ritual
Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84):
Participants: Barbara Braun, Ashley Kowalski, Trevor Jahn
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Rd (0110) to Marble Ritual
Mode of travel: Rovers (Spirit, Percy), Walking

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Sol Summary – November 28th

Sol: 1
Summary Title: Training & Experiments Initialization
Author’s name: Matt Eby
Mission Status: Training
Sol Activity Summary: Hab/rover training, deployment of mirror experiment, EVA tool-demo, setup of exercise protocol equipment, and project phantom initialization.
Look Ahead Plan: Rerun one Covid test, continue with project phantom checkout, complete training, and first suited EVA tomorrow.
Anomalies in work: N/A
Weather: sunny/high level clouds in the morning, followed by elevated winds mid-day and increasing clouds by dusk.
Crew Physical Status: Crew is adjusting to our new environment, have healthy appetites and are generally in good spirits.
EVA: N/A
Reports to be filed: Journalist, Commander, Operations, Photos, EVA request (No Green Hab report since crew did not access, HSO checklist pending access to remaining modules)
Support Requested: N/A

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Operations Report – November 28th

SOL: 1

Name of person filing report: Ashley Kowalski

Non-nominal systems: The red webbing strap that is used to secure the front airlock door broke in half. Also, the two silver knobs on the oven do not work well. Only the black knobs work consistently.

Notes on non-nominal systems: Crew temporarily repaired broken red webbing strap with a water knot, and it is currently holding. As for the oven knobs, the crew switches them as needed.

ROVERS
Spirit rover used: (Used for rover training today)
Hours: 201.5 (start), 201.7 (end)
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 90%
Currently charging: No

Opportunity rover used: (Used for rover training today)
Hours: 105.4 (start), 105.5 (end)
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 86%
Currently charging: No

Curiosity rover used: (Used for rover training today)
Hours: 214.4 (end) (starting number was not noted)
Beginning charge: Not noted
Ending charge: 89%
Currently charging: No

Perseverance rover used: Not used
Hours: N/A
Beginning charge: N/A
Ending charge: N/A
Currently charging: N/A
General notes on rovers: No issues noted with any of the rovers used today.

Summary of Hab operations:
WATER USE: ~25 gallons
Water (static tank): ~525 gallons
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On
Static tank heater (On or off): On
Toilet tank emptied: No
Summary of internet: No issues with the internet. Connection is good.
Summary of suits and radios: Two of our radios do not work once they are taken off the charging ports.
Summary of GreenHab operations: GreenHab is not yet accessible to the crew.
WATER USE: Unknown
Heater: Unknown
Supplemental light: Unknown
Harvest: Unknown
Summary of ScienceDome operations: ScienceDome is not yet accessible to the crew.
Dual split: N/A
Summary of RAM operations: No work was done in the RAM today.
Summary of any observatory issues: No observatory issues.
Summary of health and safety issues: No health and safety issues.

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: The password for the Google drive account to upload videos does not work. We are trying the password that was provided in the most recent handbook. Please let the crew know the password when you have a moment. Thanks!

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Journalist Report – November 28th

Author’s name: Dr. Kristine Ferrone, Commander

Sol 1 dawned bright and sunny on Mars. Crew 269 awoke one by one and enjoyed breakfasts of hot oatmeal with cinnamon apples and homemade bread with honey. The crew commander, Dr. Kristine Ferrone, owns a mobile coffee shop back on Earth and prepared freshly percolated espresso lattes for the crew with oat milk and agave syrup. After breakfast, the health and safety officer, Barbara Braun, measured each crew member’s temperature, pulse, and blood pressure and privately discussed each crew member’s mental and physical health as they adapt to their new environment. The crew is generally in good health and good spirits, adjusting well to life on Mars, partially due to a special communications protocol via the Discord app (programmed by Barbara’s teenage son, Elias) that allows them to chat with their friends, family, colleagues, and education/outreach contacts throughout the mission with a built-in Mars to Earth time delay. After morning activities, the crew then split into teams to prepare their experiments for operations throughout the mission. Kristine and the executive officer, Alli Taylor, explored the area around the Habitat with tools they brought from Earth for collecting samples of Martian regolith and taking measurements of the ambient radiation environment. The crew engineer, Ashley Kowalski, deployed a set of mirror coating samples to a particularly windy, dusty, and sunny location near the Habitat. These samples will be exposed to the harsh environment then collected and analyzed under a microscope on a later Sol with results sent back to the Primary Investigator on Earth, Dr. Chelsea Appleget. The technology officer, Trevor Jahn, performed initial setup and calibration of his Project Phantom virtual/augmented reality hardware for experiments on future Sols. Ashley, Barbara, and green hab officer, Matt Eby, trained on the use of the DSLR camera provided by The Aerospace Corporation and practiced taking photos around the Habitat. Barbara and Matt also set up and tested a compact fitness kit for the crew to use for exercise throughout the mission. Barbara is an experienced breadmaker back on Earth and, in the afternoon, she began the preparation of sourdough bread for the crew to enjoy with future meals. In the later afternoon, the crew learned all about living in the Habitat and operating its systems from the station director, Dr. Shannon Rupert. Topics such as how to operate the Martian toilet, shower, and kitchen were covered so that the crew can live comfortably in the station. Upon completion of their Habitat training, the crew met the assistant director, Sergii Iakymov, for training on the rovers. The crew had a great time learning how to operate and drive the rovers around the Martian surface and drove to the Marble Ritual area near the Habitat. Each crew member had an opportunity to drive the rover and learn how to navigate the Martian terrain. Upon completion of their training, the crew returned to the Habitat to write their reports and prepare the evening meal. Alli and Barbara prepared a meal of chili with crumbled beef and homemade tortillas.

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Commander Report – November 28th

Sol: 1
Summary Title: Training & Initial Experiments
Author’s name: Dr. Kristine Ferrone, Commander
Mission Status: Nominal
Commander’s Report:

Crew 269 awoke this morning to another day of beautiful weather on Mars, sunny and clear. Winds picked up later in the day but remained manageable for work outside the Hab. The crew enjoyed oatmeal, homemade bread, and espresso for breakfast, then HSO recorded crew health statistics. The crew then split up to perform pre-sim experiment preparations. CDR and XO demonstrated the use of EVA tools for regolith sample collection and radiation environment measurements. Engineer deployed a set of mirror coating samples to be exposed to the light and dust environment to be collected on EVA and analyzed on a later Sol. Technology Officer performed set up operations for Project Phantom VR/AR experiment to be conducted on EVAs on future Sols. Green Hab Officer and HSO set up and tested a compact fitness kit for use on future Sols for elective crew exercise. Green Hab Officer, HSO, and Engineer trained on the use of DSLR camera and practiced taking photos around the Hab. In the afternoon, the crew completed Hab operations and rover training with Shannon and Sergii. The crew finished the evening with a dinner of chili and homemade tortillas.