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Commander Report – November 19th

Sol: 6
Summary Title: Lichens on Mars!
Author’s name: Dr. Jenni Hesterman, Commander
Mission Status: Nominal
Commander Report:

After a good night’s sleep, the crew was up early to watch a beautiful sunrise break across the Martian landscape. Three members then set out to The Peanut to collect biological samples of lichens and soil around the roots of plants. The crew biologist was excited to find several colorful lichen nestled in the rock formation. She will accomplish further tests to identify their species.

Upon return, the EVA crew undertook an external inspection of the Hab and then accessed the airlock. After waiting the prescribed amount of time for depressurization, they entered the station.

Over a lunch of tortilla soup and fresh bread, the crew accomplished another first aid training module on the Oculus VR, learning how to brace and splint a broken ankle with supplies found in the Hab. They also participated in a guided roundtable session to discuss personal challenges and professional opportunities for women in the science profession.

After an ambitious start, we are learning the importance of achieving balance between EVAs, research, team building and relaxation/renewal activities. Life on Mars will be a marathon, not a sprint, and we will need to pace ourselves accordingly for mission success.

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Supplement Operations Report 8Nov2022

[title Supplement Operations Report – November 8th]

Name of person filing report: Shannon Rupert
Reason for Report: Beginning of field season
Non-nominal systems: Septic needs to be pumped (both)
Action taken for non-nominal systems: Waiting
Generator: We started using the generator at night on October 31, 2022. It is running nominally and being manually started and stopped as per our procedures last season.
ScienceDome Dual Split: Currently off but ran perfectly all summer
Solar— Nominal. The power system ran all summer without fail. Daily average SOC was 90%
Solar— SOC % Last 24 hours: n/a
Propane Reading, station tank – full, refilled on Nov 2, 2022
Propane Reading, director tank— full, refilled on Nov 2nd
Propane Reading, intern tank— full, refilled on Nov 2nd
Propane Reading, generator— full, refilled on Nov 2nd
Ethanol Free Gasoline – 0 gallons
Water (static tank) – 550 gallons
Water in GreenHab – 200 gallons
Water in ScienceDome: 0 gallons
Water (Outpost tank) – 100 gallons
Hab toilet tank emptied: yes, and flushed
Perseverance rover used: yes
Hours: 247.5
Beginning charge: 100
Ending charge: 60 (after arrival from town)
Currently charging: yes
Sojourner rover used: yes
Hours: 183.2
Beginning charge: 100
Ending charge: 62
Currently charging: yes
Spirit rover used: yes
Hours: 194.5
Beginning charge: 100
Ending charge: 66
Currently charging: yes
Opportunity rover used:
Hours: 101.2
Beginning charge: 100
Ending charge: 73
Currently charging: yes
Curiosity rover used: yes
Hours: 205.6
Beginning charge: 100
Ending charge: 72
Currently charging: yes
Notes on rovers: Driven from town on October 16th
ATV’s Used: (Honda, 350.1, 350.2, 300): none
Reason for use: n/a
Oil Added? no
ATV Fuel Used: 0 Gals
# Hours the ATVs were Used today: 0
Notes on ATVs: Honda is the only ATV currently operational. All four require servicing and repair
HabCar used and why, where? Yes
CrewCar used and why, where? Yes
Luna used and why, where? yes
General notes and comments: n/a
Summary of internet: All accounts are nominal.
Summary of suits and radios: All suits are back on campus. New radios are ready and the new repeater is operational, but not performing as predicted.
Campus wide inspection, if action taken, what and why? Nothing to report
Summary of general operations: Ready for crews
Summary of Hab operations: Nothing to report
Summary of Outpost operations: Nothing to report
Summary of GreenHab operations: The following have been planted for the field season. Planting is basically the same as last season except that the tomatoes and the herbs have been split between 2 gallon pots and the herb garden to see which way is more successful.
Crops planted:
Chives
Sweet basil
Lemon balm
Radishes
Cilantro
Arugula
Thyme
Spearmint
Dill
Sage
Bunching onion (green)
Snow peas
Yellow beans
Carrots (half long)
Cherry tomatoes (red and yellow)
Oregano
Microgreens (mild mix)
Summary of ScienceDome operations: Nothing to report
Summary of RAM operations: Nothing to report
Summary of any observatory issues: Robotic observatory is operating now that we are back on campus
Summary of health and safety issues: Nothing to report
Questions, concerns, supplies needed and requests: n/a

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Supplemental Operations Report – November 19th

Name of person filing report: Shannon Rupert
Reason for Report: Routine
Non-nominal systems: Both septic tanks were pumped out on Nov 11th.
Action taken for non-nominal systems: N/A
Generator: Oil, oil filter and air filter changed Nov 12th. We are running it about 13 hours a day right now, which is normal for this time of year.
ScienceDome Dual Split: off
Solar— Nominal.
Solar— SOC Last 24 hours:
Max 100%
Min 68%
Avg 76.1%
Propane Reading, station tank – full, refilled on Nov 17, 2022
Propane Reading, director tank— full, refilled on Nov 17th
Propane Reading, intern tank— full, refilled on Nov 17th
Propane Reading, generator— full, refilled on Nov 17th
Ethanol Free Gasoline – 0 gallons
Water (static tank) – 250 gallons
Water in GreenHab – 150 gallons
Water in ScienceDome: 0 gallons
Water (Outpost tank) – 300 gallons
Hab toilet tank emptied: check regular operations reports
Sojourner rover used: yes
Hours: not noted
Beginning charge: 100
Ending charge: 100
Currently charging: yes
Notes on rovers: All rovers have been serviced this week. Battery contacts were cleaned, batteries were filled with distilled water, seats were patched. Opportunity has died in the field twice this season, once with each crew.
ATV’s Used: (Honda, 350.1, 350.2, 300): Honda
Reason for use: charging battery
Oil Added? no
ATV Fuel Used: 0 Gals
# Hours the ATVs were Used today: 0
Notes on ATVs: Currently waiting to be picked up for serving
HabCar used and why, where? Yes, to town
CrewCar used and why, where? Yes, to town and to Grand Junction
Luna used and why, where? No
General notes and comments: Nothing to report
Summary of internet: All accounts are nominal but I keep getting kicked off the network, which I find super annoying.
Summary of suits and radios: We replaced 6 of the new EVA radios with longer whip antennas but did not see a noticeable increase in clarity of communication. Next step is to get the addition to the repeater installed and see if that changes things.
Campus wide inspection, if action taken, what and why? Nothing to report
Summary of general operations: Nominal
Summary of Hab operations: Finished the winterizing of the pipes between static tank and Hab. Next fall we will replace this with a direct line from the tank to the building. But for this window it is heat taped and foam wrapped, so should be ok. The tank heater will be installed today as well.
Summary of Outpost operations: I carpeted my living/kitchen areas with leftover carpet squares. I’m fancy now! Sergii installed LED lights in the living area of his trailer for better working light. We purchased new lights for the 110V lights in each trailer but they won’t work in mine. We have an additional set we will install in the Hab shower room and toilet next weekend. Sergii took a CO monitor from the Hab because he did not have one in his trailer. The propane alarm is also not working in that trailer so we will be replacing that as well. We have used the new washing machine and are quite pleased with it. Sergii also added some holes in the floor under the sink to keep the kitchen pipes from freezing at night. He insulated some of the windows with silver bubble wrap insulation as well. It’s been colder than normal for this time of year.
Summary of GreenHab operations: Thermostat was replaced and is working correctly for the first time in a couple of seasons.
Summary of ScienceDome operations: Nothing to report
Summary of RAM operations: Nothing to report
Summary of any observatory issues: Nice to see the dome open most nights!
Summary of health and safety issues: Nothing to report
Questions, concerns, supplies needed and requests: n/a

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Sol Summary – November 18th

Sol: 5
Summary Title: Misstep on Mars
Author’s name: Jas Purewal
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: Crew headed out for a morning EVA to the junction of Cow Dung Rd and Brahe Hwy to test the recently serviced rovers. Opportunity overheated on the return leg of EVA. The crew waited for ~ 10 mins but Oppy still didn’t start. They left Oppy in the field and returned back to the hab. As there was more time left in the EVA, the EVA crew learnt that they should have waited another 20 mins for Oppy to cool before returning. Lesson Learned. The rover keys were brought back to the hab and left in the RAM for the outpost team to retrieve.
In the afternoon the crew reviewed the EVA and lessons learned. Discussed mission and EVA planning. Did VR first aid training and practised splinting a broken ankle. We also spent some much needed relaxation time, played chess and made Mac n Cheese (with a kick). The crew Biologist made LB and PDA plates in the Science Dome.
Look Ahead Plan: One morning EVA planned from 8am to 10:30am. XO, HSO and Biologist taking Spirit and Curiosity to explore “The Peanut” via Cow Dung and Galileo Rd to collect biological samples with a focus on lichen and any soil around plants. In the afternoon we will do more VR first aid training and team development training. The crew biologist will analyse the collected samples and use the LB plates to grow collected samples in the Science Dome.
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Rather nice. 42F, sunny, clear. No rain.
Crew Physical Status: Good
EVA: EVA 6 – Crew headed out for a morning EVA at 9:30am to the junction of Cow Dung Rd and Brahe Hwy to test the recently serviced rovers. Opportunity overheated on the return leg of the EVA. The crew waited for ~ 10 mins but Oppy still didn’t start. They left Oppy in the field and returned back to the hab. As there was more time left in the EVA, the EVA crew learnt that they should have waited another 20 mins for Oppy to cool before returning. Lesson Learned. The rover keys were brought back to the hab and left in the RAM for the outpost team to retrieve.
Reports to be filed:
Commander’s report
GreenHab
EVA report
EVA request
Operations report
Sol Summary report
Journalist report

Support Requested: Retrieval for Opportunity rover

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Operations Report – November 18th

SOL: 5
Name of person filing report: Jas Purewal
Non-nominal systems: Opportunity overheated.
Notes on non-nominal systems: NA
ROVERS
Spirit rover used: Yes
Hours: (before EVA) 198.2
Beginning charge: (Before EVA) 100%
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging) 56%
Currently charging: Yes
Opportunity rover used: Yes
Hours: 103.7
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 77%
Currently charging: No
Curiosity rover used: Yes
Hours: 210.4
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 54%
Currently charging: Yes
Perseverance rover used: No
Hours: NA
Beginning charge: NA
Ending charge: NA
Currently charging: NA
General notes on rovers: Opportunity overheated. He was abandoned in the field to be rescued at a later time.
Summary of Hab operations: put notes here
WATER USE: 50 gallons
Water (static tank): 350 gallons
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): on
Static tank heater (On or off) off
Toilet tank emptied: Yes
Summary of internet: Good
Summary of suits and radios: optimal
Summary of GreenHab operations: None
WATER USE: 5.02 gallons
Heater: On
Supplemental light: Off
Harvest: None
Summary of ScienceDome operations: None
Dual split: (Heat or AC, On or Off) Heat, Off
Summary of RAM operations: (Tools used, work done) Plumbing adhesive and tape currently in main hab. We put Opportunity’s keys in the RAM to be retrieved.
Summary of any observatory issues: NA
Summary of health and safety issues: none
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: Still waiting on more trash bags please for toilet bins and for general bins. Pillows please.

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Journalist Report – November 18th

Sol: 5
Title: Mars hits back
Author: Izabela Shopova, Crew Journalist
Another gold and blood sunrise. Mars is trying so hard to win our hearts over. The alien landscape with its breathtaking beauty is slowly getting under our skin, just as the martian dust is making itself at home in our nostrils, ears and hair.

The crew slept well for the whole night – we are finally getting over the jetlag and the adrenalin rush of the first days, and adjusting to our martian home away from home.

Today is the 8th day since we all left our respective homes and hit the road. We have been away from family and loved ones for a full week now and we are starting to feel it. Last night the conversations revolved around our personal life. Photos of partners, family and pets were shared, and funny stories were told. Mars is starting to feel real now.

We appear to have established some routines of our own. Like a family, we always gather around the table for breakfast, even if not everyone eats. SHO checks how everyone feels, we chat for a bit and then we go over our plans for the day, confirming everyone’s responsibilities, who is cooking, who goes on EVA and what other projects we need to work on. Dinner is another time when we get together and once again enjoy a shared meal and a lively conversation, as we discuss the lessons learned and our plans for the next day.

Our morning EVA was going really well today, we felt calm and confident, following our procedures, ticking EVA objectives on the way and generally enjoying the feeling that our crew works like a well-oiled machine when suddenly a disaster struck. Mars hit back. “Opportunity” overheated and stopped, flashing an angry, bright red light on its dashboard.

The incident happened while we were out of radio contact with the Hub, so after two unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine we decided to abandon the rover on the road and return to the Hab early, prioritizing the crew’s health and safety over the vehicle recovery.

“Opportunity was rescued by the outpost team a bit later and upon reconsidering our options and possible responses to the emergency situation, we all agreed that abandoning the rover while we still had time to make additional rescue attempts was probably an error. And potentially a costly one on Mars. The Red Planet taught us another valuable lesson. The crew spent the afternoon reconstructing and studying the details of the EVA, considering the different options and the lessons learned, as well as planning objectives for the rest of the mission. Out here, on the Red Planet, we learn something new and valuable everyday. Mars tests and challenges us, helping us to learn and grow.

Today was no exception.

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GreenHab Report – November 18th

Sol 5
GreenHab Officer: Caitlyn Hubric
Environmental control: (heater, fan, door open?) heater on, door closed, 20% humidity
Average temperatures: 43.3ºC/13.5ºC
Hours of supplemental light: N/A
Daily water usage for crops: 18 L ≈ 4.76 gal
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 1 L ≈ 0.26 gal
Water in Blue Tank ~277.3 gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops: twice, morning and night, 9am-5pm
Changes to crops:
-Beans and sugar snap peas look very healthy!
-The dill in the blue bin is starting to look very full and is growing well.
Narrative:
-Might be able to harvest the dill and the other assorted kale within the next week.
-My decomposition research is thriving! I already have mycelium on the top surface of my substrate. I am waiting for a stronger presence before I encourage fruiting.
Harvest: (include which crop and mass in grams) N/A
Support/supplies needed: N/A

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EVA Report – November 18th

EVA # 6
Author: Izabela Shopova (Narrative), Elizabeth Balga (Hotwash Notes)
Purpose of EVA: Rover work (per Dr. Rupert). Engineering sample (rock) collection.
Start time: 9:30 AM
End time: 11:00 AM
Narrative:
The EVA started on time and as planned the crew was driving 3 rovers – ‘Opportunity’, ‘Spirit’ and ‘Curiosity’ – to test them after their servicing.
Weather was clear and sunny, and the rovers performed well. Crew noted the position where radio connection with the Hub was lost and switched to channel 2. Reaching the established goal of the expedition – the intersection of Cow Dung Road and Brahe Rd – the crew stopped, noted the battery performance, took photos and explored the area for 15 minutes.
On the return back to the Hub the crew stopped after crossing a river bed to explore and take photos of local vegetation for the crew biologist. Soon after continuing with the return drive ‘Opportunity’ lost power and stopped. Red light came up on the dashboard indicating overheating.
Hotwash Notes:
Bottom line up front — In the future, the team should better utilize available time on EVA in the event of an anomaly. Crew was prioritizing safety and sim, but should also prioritize mission critical equipment based on available time.
EVA team initiated return from Brahe intersection around 10:02 AM
Oppy’s battery was around ~75% upon initiating return, best battery performance of the 3 rovers
EVA team stopped at mud flat on the return trip. Departed mud flat around 10:12 AM
En route back to habitat, Oppy broke down around ~10:15 AM
Oppy was located at the rear of convoy and broke down on a slope (slightly downward)
Driver noted that the red light on the dashboard was illuminated. May have turned on earlier but difficult to see with spacesuit, glare, and steering wheel
Driver waited with rover for ~10 minutes TOTAL while crewmates returned to spot & pursued troubleshooting
Tried to start rover again two times (about 5 mins between each attempt), no joy
There were no communications with the hab or outpost at the location of rover breakdown. The
Team wanted to re-established comms in case of additional instructions from HABCOM or Outpost, but did not want to split up and strand a crew member per protocol.
Ultimately team had additional time (20 mins) to spare before EVA end, so could have spent another 10 minutes waiting before abandoning
Note: Times validated during hotwash with HABCOM and photos
Additionally, had tow rope but no training/protocol for towing
Also concern with towing for risk to remaining rovers since breakdown occurred in gulley
Crew left tow rope with abandoned rover to assist with recovery
Crew brought keys back to station per protocol
Crew abandoned the rover and initiated return around 10:25 AM
Crew entered the airlock around ~10:35 AM
Destination: Intersection of Cow Dung Rd and Brahe Hwy.
Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 518000, 4255000
Participants: CDR, COMM, ENGR
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
North on Cow Dung Rd (0110) towards Brahe Hwy on Rover
Mode of travel: Rover, Walking (Oppy, Curi, Spirit)

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Commander Report – November 18th

Sol: 5
Summary Title: Misstep on Mars
Author’s name: Dr. Jenni Hesterman, Commander
Mission Status: Nominal
Commander Report:

The crew was up early and enjoyed a light breakfast while discussing the day ahead.

In the only scheduled EVA for the day, 3 crew members took 3 rovers out to test them after recent servicing. They proceeded up Cow Dung Road to Brahe Highway, the turnaround point. On the return trip to the station, one of the rovers overheated and stopped working in a gulley. The other crew members safely parked and made their way on foot down to the location. After a few attempts to restart the rover, the crew decided to leave it behind and return to base 25 minutes before the end of the mission to assess the situation. As the rover is a precious resource, the crew should have spent the extra time waiting to see if the vehicle would cool off. We continue to learn each day and know these mistakes and experiences will inform our future work.

Over a lunch of baked macaroni and cheese, the crew discussed lessons learned and updated the EVA procedures checklists. They enjoyed a quiet afternoon in the station, reading, playing space chess and interacting with Paro, an artificial intelligence therapeutic robot in the form of a baby seal.

We’re excited to get back out on an EVA tomorrow morning! We will accomplish first aid training and team building activities in the afternoon