Month: December 2018

Posted on

Greenhab Report – December 27th

Greenhab Officer:
Walter Calles

Environmental Control:
Heating

40% Shade Cloth on

Average Temperatures:
Low: 24°C
High: 33°C

Hours of Supplemental Light:
5

Daily Water Usage of Crops:
20.5 gallons

Water in Blue Tank (lbs):
37%

Times of Watering for Crops:
1250

Changes to crops:
Nothing significant

Narrative:
Re-planted half bed of Salad Savory Mix. Planted more cilantro and basil on blue flat. Planted more chives on the pot as well.
Added 2 new pots of onions and one new pot of spinach.
Re-arranged all the flats and pots on the greenhab for a better distribution.
Brought cucumbers to the front part of the greenhab and added some fertilizer. Hopefully, will see some progress in the next days.

Experiment Results:
Date: SOL7 (SOL12 overall)
Control Pot: 3 sprouts in good shape
Soil Sample Type 1
@10%: OK, 3 sprouts
@20%: OK, 3 sprouts
@30: OK, 2 sprouts
@40%: No progress
@50%: No progress

Soil Sample Type 2
@10%:OK, 2 sprouts
@20%:OK, 3 sprouts

Soil Sample Type 3
@10%:OK, 1 sprout
@20%:OK, 1 sprout

Harvest:
NONE

Support/Supplies Needed:
More sticky papers.

Posted on

Operations Report – December 27th

SOL: 12

Name of person filing report: César Augusto Serrano Baza

Non-nominal systems: Generator Autostart

Notes on non-nominal systems: None
Generator (hours run): 16:55 yesterday until around 08:20. Today started at 17:11

Solar— SOC 78%
Diesel Reading – Around 74%
Propane Reading – 69%
Ethanol Free Gasoline – N/A gallons.

Water (Axillary tank) – 0 gallons
Water (static tank) – Medium to low level, around 100-gallons (See general notes and comments).
Axillary to Static tank transfer– no
Gallons transferred: 0
Water in GreenHab – Medium level (37%)
Water (loft) – Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Water Meter: 01395509

Toilet tank emptied: NO

Deimos rover used: no, still not functional
Hours: 0
Beginning charge: –
Ending charge: –
Currently charging: no

Sojourner rover used: ASSIGNED TO DIRECTOR
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging X :

Spirit rover used: NO
Hours: 63
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: YES

Opportunity rover used: NO
Hours: 44.8
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: YES

Curiosity rover used: NO
Hours: 61.2
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: YES

Notes on rovers: Nothing to report.
# Hours the ATVs were Used today: Nothing to report.
Notes on ATVs : Nothing to report.

HabCar used and why, where? Not used.
CrewCar used and why, where? Not used.

General notes and comments: We had difficulties by pumping the water up from the static tank to the loft because the pipes were frozen. The director and us figured out that one end plug of the extention cord fo the pipe heater was not working. We changed the end plug and we were able to pump the water at 15:00 hrs.

Summary of internet: Nothing to report.

Summary of suits and radios: Nothing to report.

Summary of GreenHab operations: – Nothing to report.

Summary of ScienceDome operations: – Nothing to report.

Summary of RAM operations: Nothing to report.

Summary of any observatory issues: Musk Solar observatory – Nominal. RObotic Observatory – Nominal.

Summary of health and safety issues: Nothing to report.

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: Nothing to report.

Thank you!!!

Posted on

Sol Summary – December 27th

Crew 201 Sol Summary Report 27-Dec-2018

Sol: 12

Summary Title: This is about to come to its end.

Author’s name: Carlos Mariscal, XO.

Mission Status: Experiments are having some slow progress. Unfortunately, out VSAT, which is necessary to do one of the experiments, will not make it to the MDRS on time, so that experiment will not be performed. Depending on the progress of another of the experiments, we could end simulation tomorrow during the day or evening.

Sol Activity Summary: We:

– Continued activities of the artificial vision experiment.

– Printed several pieces for the rover.

– Had a lot of work at the GreenHab; we planted some seeds and organized some stuff.

– Recorded videos for media.

– Had a great time with some pictures in the snow (before it got kind of bad).

Look Ahead Plan: We hope to have our last EVA tomorrow to test mechanical components of the rover. Besides that, we will finish some experiments and start with the cleaning of the station for the next crew.

Anomalies in work: The plumb and water tank deicing system didn’t work properly, so we could not use any water during the morning. Fortunately, the temperature raised enough to get water up just before the snow started.

Weather: Cold in the morning, then snow, snow, wind and snow.

Crew Physical Status: A crew member had headaches, nothing serious, an aspirin solved it.

EVA: No EVA today.

Reports to be file:

– Commander report

– Sol summary

– HSO report

– Operations report

– GreenHab report

– Astronomer report

– Journalist report

– EVA request

– Photos

Support Requested: No support requested.

Posted on

Commander Report – December 26th

Commander Report

26DEC2018

Tania Robles

It seems that lately, the energy in the Hab fluctuates a lot. If it wasn´t for Christmas and the special dinner we prepared, we would probably be in a more fatigued mental state.

The crew continues performing their tasks but the time is no longer feeling like the first days on Mars. We haven´t managed to wake up as early as before or maintain so much energy during the day. However, we maintain the spirit and daily routines to meet the objectives.

The day of departure to Earth is approaching and for now, the only thing we are focusing on is to finish our projects and to welcome the new earthlings on Mars.

Posted on

Journalist Report – December 26th

Crew 201 Journalist Report – 26DEC2018

The Martian Chronicles

[SOL 11] – Friendship across the stars.

As far as we are concerned, we are alone in the universe. Earth is the only planet where life of any kind exists. Our home is unique in any and all ways. In Earth, we look up to the stars and our neighboring planets wondering if other species exist and if they are anything like us if they love or have meaningful friendships. We humans, when we look up to the sky and search, as sent in the last message to Voyager 1, we offer our universe friendship across the stars. We shout to the universe YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

MDRS Crew 201 – MEx-1

As crew members, we have been strengthening different skills that we already had. Learning what our strength and weaknesses are an important part of making a successful mission. As friends, we have had the chance to keep on learning more of each one of us and what makes us special. United crews make life easier on the desolated planet Mars. We are fortunate to be surrounded by friends in the most inhospitable location for humans in the universe and that is what makes our trip so special.

Today, we had the opportunity to record a few videos of the activities we perform on the hab. This we will send back to Earth for other explorers that are interested in joining us in our adventures on the red planet and hopefully interest the younger generations to study Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics which are key for the survival of Earth and humans across the universe. Every team member was able to support this opportunity and was happy to contribute with their experience that many at home will enjoy.

Oh, by the way, our in-hab chef was nice enough to make quesadillas to remember our planning nights back at home. We remember the first Mexican astronaut, Neri Vela, who pushed for having tortillas in space. I am sure that he would be proud to know that we are thinking of his near earth tortillas while having a delicious Mars made meal.

Having your ties to home is a good way to maintain the spirits up. New traditions at our new home make up for fantastic stories.

We are closing in on some of the experiments, the rover making with the 3D printer is at picking up speed and should be done in the next rotation. The tools for a special shipment have been completed and we are very eager to work with some of the last of our experiments before having to leave the base.

We are counting up our Martian sols. Rotations come quickly and our time together is coming up soon. Sharing meals, enjoying work and learning from Mars will help us to teach the future generation of Martians what to expect and how to deal with it as a team and as friends.

MEx-1 continuará informando.

Genaro Grajeda, MDRS Crew 201 Co-Journalist

Posted on

Operations Report – December 26th

SOL: 11

Name of person filing report: César Augusto Serrano Baza

Non-nominal systems: Generator Autostart

Notes on non-nominal systems: None
Generator (hours run): 18:26 yesterday until around 10:20. Today started at 16:55

Solar— SOC 86%
Diesel Reading – Around 74%
Propane Reading – 71%
Ethanol Free Gasoline – N/A gallons.

Water (Axillary tank) – 0 gallons
Water (static tank) – Medium level, around 122-gallons
Axillary to Static tank transfer– no
Gallons transferred: 0
Water in GreenHab – Medium level (40%)
Water (loft) – Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Water Meter: 01395246

Toilet tank emptied: YES

Deimos rover used: no, still not functional
Hours: 0
Beginning charge: –
Ending charge: –
Currently charging: no

Sojourner rover used: ASSIGNED TO DIRECTOR
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging X :

Spirit rover used: NO
Hours: 63
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: YES

Opportunity rover used: NO
Hours: 44.8
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: YES

Curiosity rover used: NO
Hours: 61.2
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: YES

Notes on rovers: Nothing to report.
# Hours the ATVs were used today: Nothing to report.
Notes on ATVs: Nothing to report.

HabCar used and why, where? Not used.
CrewCar used and why, where? Not used.

General notes and comments: Nothing to report.

Summary of internet: Nothing to report.

Summary of suits and radios: Nothing to report.

Summary of GreenHab operations: – Nothing to report.

Summary of ScienceDome operations: – Nothing to report.

Summary of RAM operations: Nothing to report.

Summary of any observatory issues: Musk Solar observatory – We discovered that there is a water Leak in the observatory. See the pictures attached. Robotic Observatory – Nominal.

Summary of health and safety issues: Nothing to report.

Questions, concerns, and requests to Mission Support: Nothing to report.

Thank you!!!

Posted on

Science Report – December 26th

26 December 2018
Crew 201 – Mex-1 Crew
Submitted by Federico Martínez, Crew Astronomer/Scientist

1. The Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory: The crew is responding to a questionnaire every day, and creating a database for its future analysis.

2. Crew Wellness Experiment: Between 7 am and 8 am, every member of the crew has been measuring its weight and pressure, and taking notes of water consumption when the day is over. All of the crew members have lost weight, between 500gr and 1.5 kgs.

3. Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Pointing: The spaceship that carries on the Satellite system has been lost; a new mission has been launched to deliver a new satellite system, awaiting confirmation to receive the new system.

4. 3D Printing in space exploration: 3D printer it’s been used to make tools and the prototyping of a Rover. The cold weather makes the correct functionality of the printer in the RAM difficult, so we decided to move to the first floor of the Hab.

5. Engaging space to the people: Material has been recorded on each one of the MDRS modules. To complete this project, we just need to record the personal videos of each member.

6. Validation of electronics architecture and communication protocols for an exploration rover: Waiting for the transmission module to arrive at the station, so we can test next Friday with the mechanical prototype.

7. The behavior of Artificial Vision algorithms for Autonomous Navigation: The necessary images to train the algorithm have been taken, but we are having trouble with software settings.

8. Prototype and mechanical testing of Exploration rover: The rover has been 90% assembled and we are printing the last pieces so we can fully test on Friday around the Habitat.

9. Martian Soil Analysis for usage on Greenhab: Categorization of soil based on colors and grain size, tomorrow will proceed with CO, Ph, and salinity measurements.

Posted on

Greenhab Report – December 26th

Crew 201 Greenhab Report 26-DEC-2018
Greenhab Officer: Walter Calles

Environmental Control:
Heating
Cooling w/ ambient air (1hr)

40% Shade Cloth on

Average Temperatures:
Low: 20.4°C
High: 33°C

Hours of Supplemental Light: 5

Daily Water Usage of Crops: 10.5 gallons

Water in Blue Tank (lbs.): 40%

Times of Watering for Crops: 1120

Changes to crops:
Re-planted salad beds (mix and blend) keep growing good
Sunflowers showing good progress
Sugar Peas growing good

Narrative:
General review of the progress of all plants: Onions and spinaches still not showing progress.
All plants in good shape. Cucumbers are still looking bad. Changed the sticky papers again.

Experiment Results:
Date: SOL6 (SOL11 overall)
Control Pot: 3 sprouts in good shape
Soil Sample Type 1
@10%: OK, 3 sprouts
@20%: OK, 3 sprouts
@30: OK, 2 sprouts
@40%: No progress
@50%: No progress

Soil Sample Type 2
@10%: OK, 2 sprouts
@20%: OK, 3 sprouts

Soil Sample Type 3
@10%: OK, 1 sprout
@20%: OK, 1 sprout

Harvest:
NONE

Support/Supplies Needed:
Any recommendations regarding cucumbers? Should I replant them, or choose a different plant?
On the other hand, I’d appreciate some guidance to perform these Martian Soil analysis techniques:
-Composition of clay, sand, and organic (loam) content
-CO measure
-pH
-Salinity
-Content of N2, PO and other chemicals

Posted on

Sol Summary – December 26th

Sol: 11

Summary Title:

Author’s name: Tania Robles, Commander

Mission Status:

Sol Activity Summary: Today Crew worked on their projects, cooked some Mexican food (quesadillas) and recorded videos for our projects and a news channel in Mexico.

Look Ahead Plan: Keep working in the technical projects. Tomorrow the antenna will arrive during the evening and we will have an installation workshop in the Hab with one of our crew members.

Anomalies in work: None

Weather: Heavy fog during the morning

Crew Physical Status: Mentally tired, laughing a lot and with deep sleeping during the night.

EVA: N/A

Reports to be filed: Operations Report
EVA Request
Greenhab Report
Journalist Report
Commander´s Report
Pictures

Support Requested: N/A

[end]

Copyright © The Mars Society. All rights reserved. | Main Site