Tremendous photos tonight! Well done!
Michael Stoltz
Director, Media & Public RelationsThe Mars Society
Mobile: 1-847-560-1275
http://www.linkedin.com/in/mstoltz
Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
On Friday, February 4, 2022, 09:47:06 PM CST, Atila Meszaros <atila@marssociety.org> wrote:
Here are the photos. I jumped super high to get the photo of the entire
station (my favorite one), my feets hurt now!
Maxime
Here are the photos. I jumped super high to get the photo of the entire
station (my favorite one), my feets hurt now!
Maxime
Crew 240 Journalist Report 04Feb2022
Author: Pierre Fabre
Sol 4: Home tour – The Martian house
It’s been three days since we arrived in the station and I’ve been mentioning some cool names like Science Dome and RAM in my reports. I bet everyone is dying to know what those buildings look like, no? If not, we are going to pretend anyway. Today you are very lucky because we are going to take you with us for a Home Tour of the M.D.R.S. Please fasten your seatbelts and follow us in the corridors of our Martian house.
Ok first thing first. What does M.D.R.S. means? M.D.R.S. stands for Mars Desert Research Station. It is basically the facility in which we will live during those 3 weeks.
Now that the basics have been set, let’s start our tour by the heart of this station, the Hab. There are two decks in the Hab.
I’ve been talking to you about the lower deck because it’s there that we workout every morning with Julie, our HSO (Health and Safety Officer). It’s also there that we have our two airlocks. As a reminder, a airlock is a room that connects the inside (the Hab) with the outside (Mars). So you have to stay in there while the pressure in the room is passing from the inside pressure (same pressure as on Earth), to the outside pressure (the pressure on Mars is approximately a thousand times lower than on Earth). On this deck, we also suit up and do all the procedures before going on an EVA.
The upper deck is basically where we live and spend most of our time (sleep, cook, eat, relax, …). In this part of the Hab we have 6 individual rooms (they are pretty small but we sleep quite well in them). There is also a kitchen, which is perfect to cook some dried food based dishes (I still have in mind that I have to talk to you about the Martian food, don’t worry). On the table we eat, work, and play games together like a real family!
I think that’s enough for the Hab, you get the idea.
Ok now, I told you that there were two airlocks at the lower deck. The front airlock is for going on EVA. The rear airlock is the connection between the Hab and the corridors. The corridors allow you to go from the Hab to the other buildings without suiting up which is very convenient.
But let’s stop talking about corridors, and let’s talk about the second building of the station. I told you before that the Hab was the heart of the station, but in fact the real heart of the MDRS is the GreenHab. It is the unique source of non-dried food on Mars. In there, we grow vegetables, fruits, plants, … On Mars, growing plants have nothing to do with a hobby, it is vital. For example the next crew will have the pleasure to eat the soja that Julie planted today.
This would have been the second home of our Botanist Raphael if he could have come. As he is sadly not there, Marion takes good care of the plants.
If you liked the GreenHab, you’re going to love the Science Dome. First, because of its shape (it is a dome), and then because of the view you have from the window (at the end of the day it becomes truly beautiful). And last but not least, the room is equipped with a lot of scientific instruments to do chemistry and physics which is very useful for the experiments of Julie and Marion. Talking about which, Marion found today with her experiment Aquapad that the water we’ve been drinking is safe to drink!
Now it is time for me to explain what is hiding behind the mysterious name of RAM. The Repair and Assembly Module is the favourite building of Francois, our Engineer. It is there that we repair, construct, and assemble everything. Fun fact: the building is built out of an ancient fuel tank from a helicopter (how cool is that?).
The tour of our home is getting close to its end. But we have a last building to visit. The Musk Observatory hides the jewel of our Astronomer. In there is a telescope that allows Maxime to monitor the Sun. It is really important because in case of a high solar activity we must not go out of the station due to the radiations that could be dangerous even with a spacesuit. Talking about that, Maxime made his first observation of the Sun today and there was apparently nothing to worry about. That was great news!
This ends the incredible tour of our Martian house, I truly hope you enjoyed it! I also hope you enjoyed the aerial pictures of the station we took with the drone during today’s EVA!
Crew 240 Sol Summary Report 04Feb2022
Sol: 4
Summary Title: Ups and Downs
Author’s name: Clément Plagne
Mission Status: All nominal
Sol Activity Summary:
Day started by getting the toilet back in good working order as given by Shannon, with no issue in particular.
After looking at it from below and waiting for Pierre to 3D scan it, we finally attempted a climb of North Ridge today. Doing this from the North, to give us an unfamiliar start, it took many attempts find a suitably safe place to begin the ascent, which unfortunately was cut short after I dropped my radio and lost contact with the rest of the team. Return was fine, battery change on the experiments went well, and in all, the EVA was still quite successful and honestly a solid workout. As a bonus, the crewmember that had bad back pain is now feeling great, thanks to some adjustments to the suit – thanks Scott!
We think we’ve finally go to the bottom of the 3D printer issue, and we now think it’s mostly a mechanical thing caused by both the hits the printer must have taken during its flight a year back, and the low temps in the hab. We’ll be trying to fix it. In the meantime, Maxime got his first solar observations today – the dome rotation is limited (a few degrees before locking up), and we think something might be up with the gears (battery wasn’t the issue), but observations could be done at the right hour. Julie also started up on some botany in the GreenHab.
Look Ahead Plan: For the third day in a row, I know, but getting something out of the 3D printer. Trying to put out a good exploration/lookout EVA, and getting a smidge more rest as we’re not doing the morning workouts on the weekends.
Anomalies in work: None to report.
Weather: Almost warm during the EVA but comfortable
Crew Physical Status: Fine. Pierre had a small nosebleed during the EVA, but barely noticed it.
EVA: One done in the afternoon, partial success (return home before reaching final point due to user discomfort). Issues with headsets during EVA.
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Crew Photos, Journalist Report, HSO Report, Ops Report, EVA Report, EVA Request (note: is an Astronomy report warranted if Maxime just used the observatory?)
Support Requested: We’ve been trying to cook basic pancakes on the skillet for days now and it’s been hell all the way through – no matter how much oil or whatever the heat, it sticks like hell. This might seem trivial but I still feel it’s a shame not to be able to do this sort of basic cooking. Are there any other cooking implements available?
Crew 240 Operations Report 04-02-2022
SOL: 4
Name of person filing report: François Vinet
Non-nominal systems: NA
Notes on non-nominal systems: NA
ROVERS
Spirit rover used: yes
Hours: 154
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 85%
Currently charging: left uncharged, handled by Atila
Opportunity rover used: yes
Hours: 83.3
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 89%
Currently charging:
Curiosity rover used: no
Hours: 165.7
Beginning charge: NA
Ending charge: NA
Currently charging: left uncharged, handled by Atila
Perseverance rover used: no
Hours: 226.7
Beginning charge: NA
Ending charge: NA
Currently charging: left uncharged, handled by Atila
General notes and comments: NA
Summary of Hab operations:
WATER USE: 44 gallons
Water (static tank): 368 gallons
Water (loft tank): 14 gallons
Water Meter: 0155459.1 units
Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): on
Static tank heater (On or off): on
Toilet tank emptied: yes (according to the procedure given by Shannon)
Summary of internet: NA
Summary of suits and radios: NA (we tried to adapt the suit to the back of the crew member who had a back pain yesterday in EVA and it was better today).
Summary of GreenHab operations:
WATER USE: 10 gallons
Heater: On
Supplemental light: On
Harvest: NA
Summary of ScienceDome operations:
Dual split: off
SOC: 56% at 6.20pm
Summary of RAM operations: We have used a little bit the glue gun but we have not found the sticker baton recharge (is there one ?). A power drill has also been used.
Summary of any observatory issues: The dome is still stucked.
Summary of health and safety issues: NA
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: one non-burnable trash is waiting for pickup in the rear airlock. Thank you! A request about a cooking equipment was made in the sol summary (about a pan)
Crew 240 EVA Report 04Feb2022
EVA # 5
Author: Pierre Fabre
Purpose of EVA: Examining the impact of 3D mapping data to EVA efficiency, following a 3D scan of the North Ridge area.
Start time: 11:15
End time: 13:43
Narrative: Driving to the crossing between Cow Dung Road and Galileo Road went well, following which we headed West. Finding ways to climb up the ridge from its northern face, which no participant had visited prior was arduous, and many attempts were stopped to ensure the utmost safety. During a safer climb, Clément’s radio dropped and took his headset with it. He managed to communicate efficiently through non-verbal means, and shortly after successful return to the rovers took place. We drove back to the LOAC experiment, and battery was replaced without issue. I then took some aerial shots of campus from the drone, and we went back in.
Destination: North Ridge
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 5185000 4251500
Participants: Pierre Fabre, Julie Levita, Maxime Jalabert, Clément Plagne
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Entrance Road, Cow Dung Road
Mode of travel: Rovers Spirit and Opportunity
Crew 240 EVA Report 03-02-2022
EVA #4
Author: François Vinet
Purpose of EVA: 3D mapping North Ridge with a drone, climbing up Hab Ridge
Start time: 2.00pm
End time: 3.45pm
Narrative: It took 20 minutes to reach North Ridge on foot. The 3D mapping by drones was complicated and had to be done 2 times but the end result was satisfactory. The following goal was to climb the Hab Ridge to see the station from above and explore the area. However, one of the members had a significant back pain because of the suit followed by a loss of headset and microphones (the microphone used was different from the others and it is the second time we have a problem with it. A replacement request will be done in the Operation Report. Moreover, some tests will be done during the evening with the suit to adapt it better to the member). We decided to turn around before reaching Hab Rridge and we went back to the Hab.
Destination: North Ridge
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 518500, 4251500
Participants: Marion Burnichon, Pierre Fabre, Julie Levita, François Vinet
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Entrance Road
Mode of travel: by foot
Here are today’s photos! We have a couple from the EVA, some of our
recycling water experiment, water quality experiment and 3D printing.
Crew 240 Operations Report 03-02-2022
SOL: 3
Name of person filing report: François Vinet
Non-nominal systems: NA
Notes on non-nominal systems: NA
ROVERS
Spirit rover used: no
Hours: 154
Beginning charge: NA
Ending charge: NA
Currently charging: yes (100%)
Opportunity rover used: no
Hours: 83.3
Beginning charge: NA
Ending charge: NA
Currently charging: yes (100%)
Curiosity rover used: no
Hours: 165.7
Beginning charge: NA
Ending charge: NA
Currently charging: yes (100%)
Perseverance rover used: no
Hours: 226.7
Beginning charge: NA
Ending charge: NA
Currently charging: yes (100%)
General notes and comments: NA
Summary of Hab operations:
WATER USE: 25 gallons
Water (static tank): 396 gallons
Water (loft tank): 30 gallons
Water Meter: 0155404.7 units
Static to Loft Pump used : yes
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): on
Static tank heater (On or off): on
Toilet tank emptied: yes (the toilet smelt bad and was full. Is it normal to have to empty them at this frequency? (last time was 2 days ago and the procedure described in the Handbook to empty it was followed)).
Summary of internet: NA
Summary of suits and radios: NA
Summary of GreenHab operations:
WATER USE: 10 gallons at 8am and 6 gallons at 6pm
Heater: on
Supplemental light: on
Harvest: N/A
Questions: N/A
Summary of ScienceDome operations:
Dual split: Off
SOC : 69% at 4.30pm
Summary of RAM operations: One vacuum cleaner was received and put in the upper deck.
Summary of any observatory issues: the dome of the Musk observatory is stuck (the rotation is locking up)
Summary of health and safety issues: NA
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support:
– Is it possible to change 2 headsets? 2 of our headsets are different from the others (the microphone must be attached to the jacket collar and the hearphones are white/transparent) and hold in very badly, even with a headband to keep them (we already have had 2 problems in EVA with them).
– A smoke detector also bipped this morning regularly (as if it on low battery) but the engineer checked the batteries and they were full.
Crew 240 Sol Summary Report 03Feb2022
Sol: 3
Summary Title: A little frustration
Author’s name: Clément Plagne
Mission Status: All nominal
Sol Activity Summary: Having moved the planned EVA to the afternoon to avoid the very cold temperatures of the morning, we set out to work on our experiments over the morning. The 3D printer experiment still isn’t running well, probably because the printer had been in storage for close than a year prior to the mission. At the same time, Maxime’s Astronomer trouble continued – with the Robotic Observatory in reparations and the computer used for solar observations being broken, it was already a struggle to get some work in. Unfortunately, there were further issues in the Musk Observatory, and Maxime’s astronomy work was hindered even more.
During EVA, the 3D mapping work started by Pierre was successfully completed. However, issues with headsets and significant discomfort with the suits led to the EVA being cut short before the secondary objective of climbing up Hab Ridge could be accomplished.
There’s still a while to go, we’ll get things running.
Look Ahead Plan: Getting a good look at Pierre’s dynamic map and further processing that data, getting that darn 3D printer working
Anomalies in work: Issues with the Musk Observatory noted.
Weather: Very cold morning, but comfortable, or even warm afternoon for the EVA team
Crew Physical Status: Fine. Some nosebleeds, and a little EVA fatigue
EVA: One done in the afternoon, partial success (return home before reaching final point due to user discomfort). Issues with headsets during EVA.
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Astronomy Report, Crew Photos, Journalist Report, HSO Report, Ops Report, EVA Report, EVA Request
Support Requested: If there’s any possibility to have that, replacements to the headsets could be useful
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