Mission Plan – Crew 200

Mars Desert Research Station Mission Plan
Crew 200 – Mars Society International Crew
Dec 1st- 9th, 2018

Crew Members:
Commander: Dr. Ilaria Cinelli
Executive Officer: Oakley Jennings-Fast
Astronomer: Andrew Foster
Geologist: Dr. Jun Huang
Engineer: Antoine Bocquier
GreenHab Officer: Makiah Nicole Eustice
Health and Safety Officer: Dr. Lindsay Rutter

Mission Plan:
Crew 200 Mission Plan is an international mixture of science work, education and outreach. The Mission’s key values are:
1. International
2. Diversity
3. Education

Laid out here are the crew’s planned research objectives while at the MDRS:

1. Crew Projects
Mapping emotions (by Commander, I. Cinelli):
Introduction: Emotions and feelings are altered by the environment, and isolation has been
shown to impact human behaviours. Arts is used in this project to communicate how a person could experience endurance in isolation using colours.
Rationale: Mapping emotions in isolation for envisioning endurance
Methods: Since young age, I. Cinelli associates words and numbers to colours, that she sees distributed in space with an order depending on their meaning. Emotions and feelings will be mapped throughout the adaptation in isolation. Acrylic colours will be used to map emotions on a flight-suits.

Cement using Martian Regolith (Oakley Jennings-Fast Executive Officer)
Introduction: Objective is to test the strength of premix concrete (cement plus Earth soil as aggregate) and Portland cement plus local soil. Supplies set up in science dome and calculations started for weights of each material. Rationale: Important for understand building structures on Mars using available materials on the planet.
Methods: Mix various ratios of cement and local soil and water and test the strength with known weights until failure.

Search for Extremophiles: (by Lindsay Rutter, Health and Safety Officer)
Introduction: Understanding what microbes survive the Mars-like environment around the MDRS can serve as a proxy to the type of microbes that may survive Mars itself. Identifying sample microbes can be achieved with commercial-made microscopes, but can also be achieved with homemade microscopes in the event that a more official microscope is not available.
Rationale: Microbe survival in Mars environments has important implications for planetary protection and crew immunity.
Methods: Build homemade microscopes from economical material, namely by removing the lens from laser pointers, attaching them to camera phones, and placing the sample on a flashlight covered by paper and plastic slides. Collect microbes from nearby the MDRS. Take photos of magnified microbes using both commercial and homemade microscopes.

Energy Exchanges: Modeling and measurement of the thermal exchanges of the Habitat. (by Antoine Bocquier, Crew Engineer)
Introduction: Modeling the energy behaviour of the Habitat is key to optimize the use of available resources. By building an energy model of the Habitat that can be validated by in site measurements, it would be possible to adapt it to a Martian environment.
Rationale: A Martian station will need to be a “smart building” enabling to monitor resources use and perform failure detection and recovery. In MDRS, it will be useful to have a better assessment of the thermal power dissipated compared to the one generated.
Methods:
1) Build a simplified energy model of the Habitat using the bond graph method
2) Take measurements via an infrared camera of the Habitat and find out its parameters to refine the model
3) Compare software simulations with measurements to validate the model
4) Adapt the model to a Martian environment

GreenHab Outreach (By Makiah Eustice, Greenhab Officer):
Introduction: Grow experiment at same time as a school in Canada
Method: Plant salad seed, check height each day
Rationale: Outreach to promote Mars exploration and green livinac

Mars VR (By Makiah Eustice, Greenhab Officer)
Introduction: Develop and film walkthroughs of training scenarios
Rationale: Crew 197 didn’t complete these tasks.
Method: Decide on training scenarios, practice, and film (annotate)

MDRS Digitization (By Makiah Eustice, Greenhab Officer):
Introduction: Understand sensors and electronic systems an find ways to implement “Smart Hab” system
Rationale: Mars would have smart systems that are connected, controlled, and archived for real time decision making
Method: Track all systems (water, power, environmental, telemetry) and find ways to improve

Schools Outreach (By Andrew Foster, Crew Astronomer)
Introduction: Inspire the scientist and engineers of the future through a schools outreach project
Rationale: The colonization of Mars will involve people of many nationalities and backgrounds working together towards a common goal. Education and outreach is the foundation for this great project.
Method:
Engage school and community in Western Qatar with a variety of exciting projects:
1. School
1.1 Year 8 HAB design – HAB design questionnaire “Ask The Experts” (from PHSE lessons), to be carried out @ MDRS. Questionnaire results to be presented in PHSE lesson late December.
1.2 Year 7 Science club – Introduced science project list. Follow up questions to be sent before mission start.
1.3 Primary Yr 6: Light project, two experiments:
i. Measure and compare Naked Eye Limiting Magnitude at Dukhan and MDRS, using star chart for Cygnus.
ii. Construct a Cooking Oil Differential Photometer, measure and compare sunlight transmission at Dukhan and MDRS.
1.4 Primary (Yr 3-6) Question List – Compilation of all questions from classes
1.5 Oryx award students (yr 12): Climate change project- Assess energy supply and usage at MDRS, use as input for a sustainable energy project.
1.6 Outreach: Maintain blog site, send at least daily updates for all projects. (text / photo / video) during the mission.

2. Scouts
(Dukhan Troupe 33101) – Mission logo design competition complete. 2 x science experiments:
i. Biology / Greenhab food growth rate comparison “Cress Race” comparing GreenHab to local growing conditions.
ii. Human factors / space suit / EVA impact on heart rate using fitness monitor & app.)

Mission Astronomy (By Andrew Foster, Crew Astronomer)
Introduction: Carry out a mixed Astronomy program consisting of science measurements and astrophotography. Take some beautiful images and share them with the community.
Rationale: Utilise the great astronomy facilities at MDRS, demonstrate the capability of the MDRS observatories by contributing to the science community and delivering some beautiful astrophotography as a means to engage the public.
Method:
i. Science / Astrophotography – Differential Photometry w/ American Association of Variable Star Observers
ii. Cometary Coma Morphology imaging (Planetary Science Institute campaign)
iii. Wide field astrophotography campaign.
iv. Solar prominence time lapse imaging.

Journalist Report – December 3rd

Journalist Report:

Today at the habitat we shared our experience with our guests who were visiting. We demonstrated our cooking ability for them and the creativity of cooking with dehydrated food. Our guests were impressed with the facilities and the cooking. The crew has been working together superbly. Crew members are jumping in to help each other, often without being prompted. One example of collaboration was maintaining the solar observatory. Three Martians aided in the repair of the observatory. This required cooperation during cold conditions coordinating directions both written and received remotely from Earth. In addition, the snow yesterday was simultaneously stunningly beautiful and nerve-racking. The snowy perfection represented the unknown. What would these conditions mean for the mission? But we pressed forward and continued our training. Well before the mud and conditions were too severe, we ceased EVAs and continued our training in the safety of the Hab. This demonstrated our crews resilience and flexibility. We are thinking like Martians.

Oakley Jennings-Fast-Zubrin

Operations Report – December 3rd

Crew 200 Operations Report 03-Dec-2018

SOL: 2

Name of person filing report: Antoine Bocquier

Non-nominal systems: generator autostart
Notes on non-nominal systems: nothing to report

Generator (hours run): From 4:30 pm last night to 3:30 pm this afternoon (due to snow and mud, impossible to go on EVA or engineering tour). On tonight at 5:50 pm.

Solar— SOC 90 %
Diesel Reading – N/A %
Propane Reading – N/A %
Ethanol Free Gasoline – N/A gallons

Water (auxillary tank) – 0 gallons
Water (static tank) – 500 gallons
Auxillary to Static tank transfer – no
Gallons transferred: 0
Water in GreenHab – not noted gallons, getting low
Water (loft) – Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Water Meter: not recorded

Toilet tank emptied: no

Deimos rover used: no, still not functional
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging: no

Sojourner rover used: No
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging: yes

Spirit rover used: no
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
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

Notes on rovers: Rovers were not used or moved since yesterday, in charge from yesterday afternoon.
# Hours the ATVs were Used today: 0
Notes on ATVs: ATVs were taken out of active service and are now parked away from the station

HabCar used and why, where? No
CrewCar used and why, where? No

General notes and comments: Due to strong snow and mud conditions, EVA and engineering tour were not allowed. This was approved by Shannon.
Thus some of the measurements could not be performed (and generator stayed on during day, we will prevent this happening next days).

Summary of internet: After issues yesterday to connect to the network, we rebooted the Modem and everything is fine.

Summary of suits and radios: Ventilation system of suits 7 and 10 are not working. I will have a more detailed look at them tomorrow.

Summary of Hab operations: media visit today with recordings inside the hab and in the other parts of the station.

Summary of GreenHab operations: some plants planted.

Summary of ScienceDome operations: 2 microscopes may not be working, will be investigated

Summary of RAM operations: Nothing to report

Summary of any observatory issues: Musk Solar observatory – Nominal. Robotic Observatory – Carried out maintenance: 1. Installed
replacement UPS battery, error message on startup “Warning State – Replace Battery”. Restored connections to original config, UPS switched off / plugged in. 2. Checked C14 for condensation (none significant observed) applied gentle heat to scope body for 1 hour & unplugged Tempest fan.

Summary of health and safety issues: Nothing to report

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: Nothing to report [end]

Astronomy Report – December 3rd

Crew Astronomer: Andrew Foster

MDRS ROBOTIC OBSERVATORY

Robotic Telescope Requested: MDRS-14 [Sent imaging request
46P/Wirtanen & 3C 273]

Objects Viewed: Milky Way & constellation Cygnus (visual only).

Image attached, Cygnus / Milky Way taken with Canon D60 @ ISO 3200 / 20s exp.

Second image w/ light painting by MDRS 200 crew member.

Carried out observational Limiting Magnitude exercise, est. NELM 5.9, clouds moving in from South during exercise.

Problems Encountered:

Poor weather conditions (snow / cold).

Robotic Observatory maintenance carried out, see Operations Report for details.

MUSK OBSERVATORY

Solar Features Observed: Carried out test of system / visual observation of Sun. No sunspots visible, no major features observed.

Observatory equipment photographs (start of mission) attached.

Notes

Both observatories are clear of snow this evening.

End report.

Greenhab Report – December 3rd

rew 200 GreenHab Report – 03-DEC-2018

Greenhab Officer: Makiah Eustice

Environmental Control:

Heating

Shade Cloth on

Average Temperatures:

Low: 70 F

High: 80 F

Hours of Supplemental Light: 5

Daily Water Usage of Crops: 10 L

Water in Blue Tank (lbs): 1/3 full

Times of Watering for Crops: 1000

Changes to crops:

Planted 3 small cups of Water Cress for Andrew’s school outreach. Planted shallow bed of sun flower seeds and shallow bed of mixed salad greens. All reported in the Greenhab Log

Narrative:

First day in the Greenhab! A sauna for me, but a retreat for anyone trying to briefly escape the cold. Still trying to understand the operations and needs of individual plants.

Harvest: NONE

Support/Supplies Needed: The humidity/temperature measure is not displaying the temperature correctly; we may need a new sensor. The supplemental light did not come on Sunday night, but did tonight; I will check to see if the light goes off at midnight tonight. Some of the snap peas and tomatoes are not doing well; I believe they need more sun to thrive.

Sol Summary – December 3rd

Health and Safety Officer Report
Lindsay Rutter, Health and Safety Officer of Crew 200

Crew 200 Sol Summary Report 03Dec2018

Sol: 1
Summary Title: Introduced guests and fixed solar observatory Author’s name: Lindsay Rutter
Mission Status: All crew members are healthy and productive. Sol Activity Summary: We interacted with guests and fixed solar observatory. Look Ahead Plan: We will do science most of the day tomorrow. Anomalies in work: Solar observatory had issues that needed fixing. Weather: Unexpected snowy weather created muddy and slippery ground. Crew Physical Status: One crew member felt headache due to cold weather, rested, and has no more symptoms.
EVA: No EVAs today due to inclement weather.
Reports to be file:
Support Requested:

Operations Report – December 02nd

Crew 200 Operations Report 02-Dec-2018

SOL: N/A

Name of person filing report: Shannon Rupert

Non-nominal systems: generator autostart

Notes on non-nominal systems: nothing to report

Generator (hours run): From 5:30 pm last night to 2 am this afternoon (due to snow). On tonight at 4:30 pm.

Solar— SOC 91 %

Diesel Reading – not noted %

Propane Reading – 49 %

Ethanol Free Gasoline – 4 gallons

Water (auxiliary tank) – 0 gallons

Water (static tank) – 500 gallons

Auxiliary to Static tank transfer– no

Gallons transferred: 0

Water in GreenHab – not noted gallons, getting low

Water (loft) – Static to Loft Pump used – no

Water Meter: not recorded

Toilet tank emptied: no

Deimos rover used: no, still not functional

Hours:

Beginning charge:

Ending charge:

Currently charging: no

Sojourner rover used: yes

Hours:

Beginning charge: 100

Ending charge:

Currently charging: yes

Spirit rover used: yes

Hours:

Beginning charge: 74

Ending charge:

Currently charging: yes

Opportunity rover used: yes

Hours:

Beginning charge: 85?

Ending charge:

Currently charging: yes

Curiosity rover used: yes

Hours:

Beginning charge: 100

Ending charge:

Currently charging: yes

Notes on rovers: Two rovers parked in front of the RAM at new charging stations. Spirit and Opportunity should be parked there, while Curiosity should be parked next to the GreenHab until Deimos is operational. We are still seeing much shorter ranges on the rovers, not sure if it is a problem or just lack of use, so we will have to give them more ride time to see if this improves.

# Hours the ATVs were Used today: less than one

Notes on ATVs: ATVs were taken out of active service and are now parked away from the station

HabCar used and why, where? No

CrewCar used and why, where? Yes, just moved to its regular parking space

General notes and comments: The crew worked amazingly hard yesterday repairing the tunnel and getting it covered. We managed to get it all up and functional, although there is still much work to be done to tidy up the tarps and secure it for the season. But this is work that can be done in sim or by a single person, so the day was a complete success.

When I shut down the power for the installations of the RAM’s power, I had to shut down the entire system, which I didn’t know how to do. So I did it the only way I know how and now the charger button is acting differently than before, but it still fixes the problem of generator speed so I guess we are fine until the contractor arrives next week.

Summary of internet: Nominal.

Summary of suits and radios: The crew used the suits and so can give a complete report on their condition as soon as possible.

Summary of Hab operations: Rodent found a new home.

Summary of GreenHab operations: Nothing to report.

Summary of ScienceDome operations: The crew helped to rearrange the bench modules to reflect the new design of the space. The ovens/incubator are now on the metal bench. The heater will be installed on the lower bench of this table and should not be moved from that spot.

Summary of RAM operations: Nothing to report

Summary of any observatory issues: Nothing to report

Summary of health and safety issues: Nothing to report

Questions, concerns, and requests to Mission Support: Nothing at this time.

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