Crew 205 Astronomy Report 13 Feb 2019
Crew Astronomer: Ghanim Alotaibi
MDRS ROBOTIC OBSERVATORY
Robotic Telescope Requested: MDRS-14
Objects Viewed: Out of the 18 images requested last night, I found only 12 images were captured. However, all the captured images were found to be bad for photometry. The seeing condition was not good yesterday for astrophotography and it was decided to resubmit the observation session.
Problems Encountered: Bad weather conditions.
Crew 205 EVA Report 13 FEB 2019
EVA #06
Author: D. Masaitis, Executive Officer
Purpose of EVA: Terrain familiarization and sample collection
Start time: 1500
End time: 1551
Narrative: Meteorological conditions altered the EVA plan immediately, with high winds making flight testing of Crew 205’s unmanned aerial vehicle non-viable. The UAV was therefore left at the Hab prior to departure, but sample collection materials were retained. EVA #06 began at 1500 hours. The team headed to Old Repeater Point to proceed with geological sample collection and photography.
Halfway through, it started to rain. Increasing rain intensity made terrain slippery and the helmets in the EVA suits foggy. These conditions made operations difficult, and after evaluating their situation, the team decided to return to the Hab. EVA was concluded earlier than planned at 1551 hours.
Destination: Old Repeater Point, North Ridge
Coordinates: 4250900/517950 (Old Repeater Point), 4251500/518600 (North Ridge)
Participants: Natalia Larrea (CO), Daniel Robson (HSO), Maria Grulich (MEDIA) Ghanim Alotaibi (ASTRO)
Roads and routes per MDRS Map: Climbing western ridgeline to Old Repeater Point, then proceeding north and then northeast to North Ridge
Mode of Travel: Walking
Crew 205 EVA Report 13 FEB 2019
EVA #05
Author: D. Masaitis, Executive Officer
Purpose of EVA: Terrain familiarization and sample collection
Start time: 1030
End time: 1320
Narrative: Crew 205 received a mission change at 0800 hrs from the MDRS Director, and accepted a destination change from Maxwell Montes to Candor Chasma for their morning EVA. The team began pre-EVA preparations at 0930 hrs and entered the airlock for depressurization at 1020 hrs. The team initiated movement north on Cow Dung Road, using Curiosity and Opportunity to navigate north on Cow Dung Road and then east on Galileo Road. Communications were lost as expected, so the team proceeded east on Galileo Road before assuming a short halt at 0519900/4252950 to perform an orientation map check before descending into less-elevated terrain of S. Cactus Road.
Curiosity and Opportunity tracked southbound on Cactus Road (1104) until connecting with a dried stream bed, identified on the map as Stream Bed Connector. Here the team parked and dismounted to move into the western side of Candor Chasma.
Sample collection began as soon as the team got down into the canyon. V. Trivino (ENG) assisted N. Hadland with sample collection and labeling, while H. Blackburn took photographs of sample locations. D. Masaitis (XO) maneuvered slightly ahead of the collection team to locate follow-on collection sites, and the team continued to work its way east. By the time they reached 0520378/4251094 the team decided that they had collected enough samples as they could carry, and opted to return to the rovers. Upon reaching the rovers, there was still time remaining in the approved EVA window, so the team opted to backtrack up S. Cactus Road to get closer to a unique hilltop in the vicinity of 0520050/4251650.
After relocating the rovers, the team dismounted and climbed the hilltop to take some extra photographs for the Crew Journalist. While there, the EVA team established visual contact of N. Cactus Road heading towards Maxwell Montes and confirmed it against the map. The team returned to the rovers and began moving back towards the HAB, making one additional short halt in the vicinity of 0519900/4252950 to take a few more photos while D. Masaitis (XO) re-established communications with the HAB.
After a successful communication with HAB Control, the EVA team backtracked its route to the HAB, stowed the rovers and reported rover SOC (Curiosity:71%, Opportunity:67%) and hours (Curiosity:74.3, Opportunity:50.1) to HAB Control. At 1320 hours, the EVA team initiated their 5-minute pressurization, ending the EVA.
Destination: Candor Chasma, western end
Coordinates: 0520300/4251100
Participants: Dave Masaitis (XO), Nathan Hadland (GHO), Veronica Trivino (ENG), Hannah Blackburn (COMMS)
Roads and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road (0110) to Galileo Road (1104) to South Cactus Road (1104)
Mode of Travel: Driving (Cow Dung Rd, Galileo Rd, S. Cactus Rd.) and Walking (W. Candor Chasma)
Sol: 3
Summary Title: The sound of Martian winds
Author’s name: Natalia Larrea
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: We woke up with the smell of home-made brownies and coffee. The first EVA left at 10.00 am driving Curiosity and Opportunity rovers heading to Candor Chasma. The team collected excellent geological samples and had the chance to explore the area. Meanwhile, at the Hab, the team worked on new maintenance tasks. We checked the status of the EVA suits making sure they are fully operational. Batteries were replaced in those suits not working properly, making them now ready to be used. At the return of the EVA team, all the crew enjoyed together some Martian pasta with dried tomato and chicken sauce. In the afternoon, the second EVA team headed to explore the area surrounding the Hab.
The plan was to test Crew 205’s drone, collect samples and conduct photography. However, the Martian weather complicated the task. Winds were too strong to fly the drone. The team continued nonetheless, with its plans of climbing the Old Repeater Point. The view of MDRS was great from there! However, in the field, the rain started to hit and the space helmets started to become foggy. Walking on the hilly surface in such conditions was not easy. The team then decided to head back to the Hab, enjoy a warm coffee and tea, and continue working there. Tonight we plan movie night … maybe “The Martian”?;))
Look Ahead Plan: Most of the day tomorrow will be dedicated to working “from home” on the different projects. After a few days on Mars, we have started collecting many pieces of great science and data which need to be analyzed. A team will also head the Old Repeater Point and North Ridge for a short test the drone (if the weather permits), continuing with the initial plan of today.
Tomorrow is also Saint Valentine’s day so we plan a special evening and dinner with “Secret Valentine” presents included. In addition, it will be the first day we start rotating roles in the crew. The members in the position of commander and XO will be rotating for the next week.
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Cloudy all day long, windy with light rain in the afternoon
Crew Physical Status: Nominal
EVA:
EVA#05: 0520300/4241100 (Candor Chasma)
EVA#06: 4250900/517950 (Old Repeater Point), 4251500/518600 (North Ridge, not reached)
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA report, EVA request, Operations Report, HSO Report, Astronomy Report, Science Report, Greenhab Report, Journalist Report
Support Requested: None
Crew 205 Crew Journalist Report 12-FEB-2019
Sol 2
Author: Maria Grulich
Title: EVAs EVAs…
Second day on Mars we woke up with the smell of scrambled eggs and spam and self-made brownies that we prepared last night.
As a lesson learned we started to prepare earlier today for the morning EVA to collect rock samples.
The EVA 1 crew: Nathan, Daniel, Natalia and Maria left the hab at 0930AM. First, EVA1 crew took some pictures with signs for outreach before heading to the White Moon area using the rovers Spirit and Opportunity.
The road was windy, and every corner revealed a new area of Mars. Opportunity rover was doing great whereas the Spirit rover concerned EVA1 crew more, as the State of Charge seems to be dropping fast. Therefore, EVA1 had to stop earlier than planned to start walking by foot and leave the rovers behind.
Finding the White Moon seems to be more challenging than earlier EVAs as the road was not properly marked and the helmets of the space suits kept fogging and limiting visibility. EVA1 lost communication with the hab because they were out of reach of the communication system, which added more challenges.
During this walk the blazing Sun revealed shimmers and flashes of light from the crews´ visors that were actually shiny rocks (believed to be quartz containing crystals) underneath their feet. They stopped to retrieve these jewels in the desert as their first sample of the day.
EVA1 crew kept on walking, stopping from time to time to figure out where they actually were until they arrived at their desired location: White Moon. The white soil of the hill they stopped on let us guess why they called it the Moon. Small stains of red underneath the chalk-white hill intrigued the crew, and a short hit with the hammer revealed a bright red soil underneath. Described as a geological “red velvet cake”, it was great for their samples.
The curiosity kept running through EVA1 crew veins and let them keep moving anuntil they found crevice. Everyone of that EVA got so excited as this indicated that there had been water running through this land a long time ago. Two crew members climbed down into the crevice to take samples of the different sediments.
While EVA1 were busy in the White Moon, the rest of the crew were busy working in the hab. The crew astronomer was busy working on photometry and setting up new observation for tonight. Work in the GreenHab was also ongoing by watering the plants and making sure everything is in place.
Pumped up with excitement of their discoveries, the crew went back towards the hab where the support crew welcomed them with a hot chicken soup.
Just one hour later after EVA1 crew arrived EVA2 crew was about to get ready. During the preparation it was clear that not all space suits are working properly, and we are unclear on how long they have to be charged before being used again.
As there were not enough spare suits that not had been used before, or where the fans are running properly, the commander came to the decision that the EVA2 has to be scrubbed. It was a tough call but Safety first.
After that first difficult decision the team meeting was all about how to improve the EVA preparation to achieve two EVAs a day that would accommodate all our science objectives. During the analysis of the first rock samples in the science dome it was observed that the state of charge of the solar panels dropped significantly and that was a wakeup call for everyone:
Mars is not easy it is hard.
We have to keep more focus on the maintenance of the habitat while being focused on our personal goals. Still the crew found time for their first yoga sessions and preparing for the Martian Spanish night with tapas and Spanish jamón.
Tomorrow we will be planning for two EVAs again and making sure to keep checking and preparing accordingly.
Ad Astra!
Crew Photos 12 FEB 2019
Crew 205 Crew Journalist Report 12-FEB-2019
Sol 2
Author: Maria Grulich
Title: EVAs EVAs…
Second day on Mars we woke up with the smell of scrambled eggs and spam and self-made brownies that we prepared last night.
As a lesson learned we started to prepare earlier today for the morning EVA to collect rock samples.
The EVA 1 crew: Nathan, Daniel, Natalia and Maria left the hab at 0930AM. First, EVA1 crew took some pictures with signs for outreach before heading to the White Moon area using the rovers Spirit and Opportunity.
The road was windy, and every corner revealed a new area of Mars. Opportunity rover was doing great whereas the Spirit rover concerned EVA1 crew more, as the State of Charge seems to be dropping fast. Therefore, EVA1 had to stop earlier than planned to start walking by foot and leave the rovers behind.
Finding the White Moon seems to be more challenging than earlier EVAs as the road was not properly marked and the helmets of the space suits kept fogging and limiting visibility. EVA1 lost communication with the hab because they were out of reach of the communication system, which added more challenges.
During this walk the blazing Sun revealed shimmers and flashes of light from the crews´ visors that were actually shiny rocks (believed to be quartz containing crystals) underneath their feet. They stopped to retrieve these jewels in the desert as their first sample of the day.
EVA1 crew kept on walking, stopping from time to time to figure out where they actually were until they arrived at their desired location: White Moon. The white soil of the hill they stopped on let us guess why they called it the Moon. Small stains of red underneath the chalk-white hill intrigued the crew, and a short hit with the hammer revealed a bright red soil underneath. Described as a geological “red velvet cake”, it was great for their samples.
The curiosity kept running through EVA1 crew veins and let them keep moving anuntil they found crevice. Everyone of that EVA got so excited as this indicated that there had been water running through this land a long time ago. Two crew members climbed down into the crevice to take samples of the different sediments.
While EVA1 were busy in the White Moon, the rest of the crew were busy working in the hab. The crew astronomer was busy working on photometry and setting up new observation for tonight. Work in the GreenHab was also ongoing by watering the plants and making sure everything is in place.
Pumped up with excitement of their discoveries, the crew went back towards the hab where the support crew welcomed them with a hot chicken soup.
Just one hour later after EVA1 crew arrived EVA2 crew was about to get ready. During the preparation it was clear that not all space suits are working properly, and we are unclear on how long they have to be charged before being used again.
As there were not enough spare suits that not had been used before, or where the fans are running properly, the commander came to the decision that the EVA2 has to be scrubbed. It was a tough call but Safety first.
After that first difficult decision the team meeting was all about how to improve the EVA preparation to achieve two EVAs a day that would accommodate all our science objectives. During the analysis of the first rock samples in the science dome it was observed that the state of charge of the solar panels dropped significantly and that was a wakeup call for everyone:
Mars is not easy it is hard.
We have to keep more focus on the maintenance of the habitat while being focused on our personal goals. Still the crew found time for their first yoga sessions and preparing for the Martian Spanish night with tapas and Spanish jamón.
Tomorrow we will be planning for two EVAs again and making sure to keep checking and preparing accordingly.
Ad Astra!
Crew 205 Sol Summary Report 12- FEB – 2019
Sol: 2
Summary Title: Adapting to Mars
Author’s name: Natalia Larrea
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: We started the day with what is becoming our daily routine: waking up at 7 am, having coffee and breakfast together and by 8.30 am start our work. In the morning, the first EVA team set off on rovers Spirit and Opportunity Northwards on Cow Dung Road towards the “Moon” areas. They passed Galileo road (losing contact with MDRS as expected shortly after). Before reaching Cowboy Corner, Spirit reported having 75% SOC, Spirit’s battery reduced rapidly and the rovers were stopped between Tank Wash and White Moon with Spirit on 63% and Opportunity at 75%. The EVA was modified to be completed on foot by only visiting, exploring and sampling areas within White Moon and the easternmost fringes of Beige Moon. The turnings of the road that enter to the Moon were recorded on GPS for future use in EVAs. Some excellent samples of quartz and sulphur containing deposits were collected and will be analysed in the coming days before being described fully in the upcoming Science Report. Meanwhile, in the Hab, the rest of the team continue working in the GreenHab daily duties, EVA planning and astronomy projects. Lunch was ready for the returning EVA team and the crew ate together in good spirits.
Equipment was prepared for use in the second EVA of the day, including a drone with a vertical camera and the ability to connect to a laptop for images to be reviewed in the field. As planned, the EVA team started getting prepared for its mission to North Ridge. However, while preparing, it was found that some of the suits were not fully functional and others, were still charging from the EVA in the morning. The team initially thought only of the suits was to be fully charged and operational. For this reason, putting the safety of the crew as the top priority, the commander took the decision to cancel the EVA. After the fact, it was found that a second spacesuit was also fully charged. All crew members thus, stayed in the Hab working “from home” in their different duties and projects. Tonight, following our daily crew meeting, we plan to enjoy a “Martian-Spanish” tapas dinner.
Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow we plan to continue with the initial plan of today. A first EVA team will head in the morning will head to Maxwell Montes. A second team will head the Old Repeater Point and North Ridge to test the drone. GreenHab, astronomy and outreach activities will continue as usual.
Anomalies in work: EVA#04 (in the afternoon) was cancelled (please refer to EVA report and description above for further information)
Weather: Clear skies all day long
Crew Physical Status: Nominal
EVA:
EVA#03: 4254500/516500 (Gray Moon, not reached), 4254350/516500 (Beige Moon), 4254550/517550 (White Moon)
EVA#04: No conducted (please refer to the EVA report and description above for more information)
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA request, Operations Report, Astronomy Report, Greenhab Report, Journalist Report
Support Requested: Some spacesuits not working properly and we are missing a charger for one of them (please refer to operations report for further information).
Crew 205 Operations Report 12 – FEB – 2019
SOL: 2
Name of person filing report: Veronica Trivino
Non-nominal systems: Generator
Notes on non-nominal systems: Radiator hoses and alternator need replacement on generator. A contractor has been arranged to make these repairs within a few days.
Generator (hours run): Turned on this evening by 1708 (12thFeb), Stopped by this morning 0730 (12thFeb)
Solar— SOC % – Turned off Gen (12th Feb) 33%, Turned on Gen (12th Feb) 69%
Diesel Reading – 100%
Propane Reading – ~ 50%
Ethanol Free Gasoline – 10 gallons
Water (Auxillary tank) – Not in use gallons
Water (Static tank) – around 77%, ~ 422 gallons
Auxillary to Static tank transfer – No
Gallons transferred: Not Applicable
Water in GreenHab – ~ 276.5 gallons
Water (loft) – 12 marked level
Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Water Meter: 01411709 units
Toilet tank emptied: Yes
Deimos rover used: No, still not functional
Hours: N/A
Beginning charge: N/A
Ending charge: N/A
Currently charging: N/A
Sojourner rover used: ASSIGNED TO DIRECTOR
Hours: Not Applicable
Beginning charge: Not Applicable
Ending charge: Not Applicable
Currently charging: Not Applicable
Opportunity rover used: Used
Hours: 49.6 hours
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 61%
Currently charging: Yes
Curiosity rover used: Not Used
Hours: 73.6 hours
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: Yes
Spirit rover used: Used
Hours: 73.7
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 40%
Currently charging: Yes
Notes on rovers: Spirit was accidentally left on after returned from EVA no.1. Engineer when checking readings in the evening turned it off. It was charged to 100% when checked by engineer.
ATV’s Used: N/A
Reason for use: Not used
Oil Added? N/A
ATV Fuel Used: N/A
# Hours the ATVs were Used today: None
Notes on ATVs: None
HabCar used and why, where? N/A
Crew Car used and why, where? Not used
General notes and comments: None
Summary of internet: Nothing to report
Summary of suits and radios: Several suits with fan broken. Other suits had not finished charging by the time the second EVA preparation had begun, even though they were set to charge as soon as the crew from the first EVA came back. One of the suit chargers is not functional. More information was sent to Atila/Mission support in an email.
Summary of Hab operations: Nothing to report.
Summary of Green Hab operations: Nothing to report
Summary of Science Dome operations: Nothing to report
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: None
Crew 205 Green Hab Report – 12-FEB-2019
GreenHab Officer: Nathan Hadland
Environmental control: Heating and Cooling w/ ambient air (4 hrs)
Shade Cloth (40%)
Average temperatures:
Low: 17.7°C
High: 27.9°C
Hours of supplemental light: 5 Hours
Daily water usage for crops: 12 gallons
Water in Blue Tank: ~ 276.5 gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops:
TIME NOTED TEMPERATURE(° C ) / HUMIDITY(%) [AT TIME OF WATERING]
1) 09.00 AM 19.5° C / 54 %
2) 12.00 PM 27.6° C / 28 %
3) 15:30 PM 19.8° C / 63 %
4) 18:15 PM 18.7° C / 45 %
Changes to crops: None
Narrative: Today we continued sample collection on EVA’s for the regolith samples for the nutrient supplementation experiments (see mission summary). We also began characterizing regolith samples and took photographs underneath the dissection microscope. A more thorough analysis of the samples will be available in tomorrow’s science report. The A. Thaliana seeds were washed and placed on germination plates last night and we expect germination to be in initial stages tomorrow.
Additionally, we took photographs of the dissected cucumber samples under the optical microscope and found evidence of degraded cell structure, likely from the fungi growing on the dead plants. More information and photos will be available in tomorrow’s science report as well.
We removed 1 dead sunflower from its grow bed to prevent the spread of mold. Similarly, we removed 1 dead Red Leaf Lettuce from its pot. Additionally, we groomed dead biomass (fallen leaves/stems) from several of the grow beds. We also harvested small amounts of oregano, parsley and lemon basil for lunch.
Harvest: 1/3 g Oregano
1/3 g Parsley
1/3 g Lemon basil
6.3 g of dead material (including dead cucumbers)
Support/supplies needed: None.
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