Month: April 2018

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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

  1. Marble RItual – Accomplished
  2. Scouting and Mapping of Emergency Shelter Sites – Mapped, see below / Raw data here
  3. Exploration – Accomplished (See below)
  4. EVA Comfort, Well-Being, Safety and Optimization Study / Raw data here
  5. Visor Fogging Study – Data collected / Raw data here
  6. 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

  1. Marble Ritual – Accomplished, no unforeseen events.
  2. Scouting and Mapping of Emergency Shelter Sites:
Omar’s Haven The Rock Slides
Accessibility
  • Far (see map below)
  • Requires moderate level climbing
  • At Marble’s Ritual
  • Immediately accessible
Location
  • See map below (lower blue dot)
  • 4251500N, 518750E
  • See map below (top blue dot)
  • 4250600N, 518700E
Suitability
  • Wind storm: Appropriate
  • Radiation event: RTB suggested
  • Incapacitated crew member: Appropriate

Wind storm: Appropriate Radiation event: RTB suggested Incapacitated crew member: Appropriate PhotodocumentationYY Next crew able to find shelters based on description/markers/photodocumentation

  1. Exploration:
  • Distance covered by foot – 6km
  • Steps – 8,000

hpCNXqiy2AOasKu1dQyVLfKY3goZwVZy8y3L8lE0hpsEPcSUz1Mg15_Xrxh7wJMETcXMMLOJAttK5OR0QGCD146UA40w23NFoDF9h-9yavMqEekl3XyRSS9936yb4SGfK6sf-9jX

  1. 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

  1. Marble Ritual – Accomplished
  2. Scouting and Mapping of Emergency Shelter Sites – Mapped, see below
  3. Exploration – Accomplished (See below)
  4. EVA Comfort, Well-Being, Safety and Optimization Study
  5. Emergency rescue of stranded astronomer
  6. 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

  1. Marble Ritual – Accomplished, no unforeseen events.
  2. Scouting and Mapping of Emergency Shelter Sites:
Mountain Goat Trail Galileo Road
Accessibility
  • Not immediately accessible, some walking from Miracle Ritual
  • Not immediately accessible, takes some driving
Location
  • 4251000N, 520000E
  • 4252000N, 519000E
Suitability
  • Wind storm: Appropriate
  • Radiation event: RTB suggested
  • Incapacitated crew member: Appropriate
 · 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
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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)

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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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Sol Summary – April 23rd

Crew no. 193 Sol Summary Report 23/04/2018

Sol: 1

Learning the Ropes

Eric Shear

Mission Status: Everything nominal

Sol Activity Summary: Carried out two EVAs, including one extended EVA and an emergency 1-person EVA. Monitored the Sun for sunspot activity

Look-Ahead Plan: We continue our exploration of Mars. Our EVA 4 will be planned around a new project “GPS Route Measurements”

Anomalies in work: We had a stranded astronomer whom we rescued. We fixed a signpost with the tools available at the end of our EVA in an extended EVA. Also, there was an emergency 1-person EVA to secure the RAM Module, with no issues.

Weather: Very clear and hot in morning/midday, cooler and cloudy in afternoon

Crew Physical Status: All in good health

EVA 1:

Went to Miracle Ritual, scouted locations for emergency evacuation, conducted an EVA health/wellness study, and a visor fogging study.

EVA 2:

Went to Miracle Ritual, scouted locations for emergency evacuation, conducted the rest of the health/wellness study, executed an emergency assist of the telescope repairman, and repaired the road sign to the hab.

Emergency EVA:

1 person exited the hab to secure the Repair and Assembly Module, which door had been left open on the previous EVA. There were no issues.

Reports to be filed:

Commander’s Report
Operations Report
Greenhouse Report
EVA Reports
Astronomy Report

Support Requested: We need aluminum foil and dish scrubbing pads (the hard ones for tough stains and grease)

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