Month: March 2019

Journalist Report March 23, 2019

Journalist: Diane Rothberg

A busy last day of simulation with two EVAs, both of which were similar to yesterday’s.

This morning, we had a great time stumbling up a hill near Pooh’s Corners with our expensive drone and controller, trying not to destroy them. But we were rewarded with a perfect launch site and a gorgeous view. Our camera drone flew its programmed route well and allowed us to keep it in sight at all times.

Tiffany and Kevin were busy in the Science Dome testing out the 3D printed labware they printed at MDRS using biodegradable plastic. The good news is that our colorful devices worked and looked fabulous!

During this afternoon’s EVA, Tiffany got a chance to fly a drone for the first time, and we both performed the control stick comparison. No contest! The new controller is much more intuitive than the traditional controller, and made a clumsy newbie like me feel like a “drone virtuoso!”

After dinner, we are wrapping up the thoracentesis data collection for our crew, and cleaning up MDRS for inspection.

Our last dinner together will be quite ethnic… potato latkes and lentil soup, concluding with one of Tiffany’s excellent desserts…. apple pie “a la Mars.”

Journalists report March 18, 2019

Author: Diane Rothberg

We awoke to a loaf fresh bread, courtesy our bread making machine that labored through the night. But that was nothing compared to Tom’s multi-grain pancakes which were accompanied by a fruit salad. We discovered we could conserve water as well as make a nutritious beverage by boiling the water from the reconstituted fruit salad and adding a couple of green tea bags.

Tiffany and Tom spent a good part of the morning hunched over laptops trying to sort out issues with with the astronomy photoshop software, while Julielynn set up a medical research study involving the use of a 3D printer as an aid to thoracentesis training. Kevin helped out by being her “human mannequin”.

A lunchtime bruschetta made with the leftover bread was a big hit, especially with the addition of Greenhab basil and cilantro. After lunch, Tom and Tiffany went to the solar observatory to troubleshoot some issues with the telescope imaging software.

Then we suited up for our afternoon EVA mission, the aim of which was to pinpoint optimum locations for our drone mapping project. Julielynn, Tom and myself headed south in rovers Curiosity and Spirit, in search of “Zubrin’s Point.”

It’s amazing how the simplest things become a challenge “here on Mars”. The space suits are so cumbersome that even entering the rover is a squeeze. Trying to keep an eye on your crew mate behind you requires a major shift in body weight. Com radios can drop off your belt, ear pieces can slip off causing a lack of communication, and taking photos with bulky gloves make manipulating an iPad extremely difficult.

We have a busy night ahead, as Julielynn is planning thoracentesis training for all of us!