Journalist Report – March 7th

Sol 14 – Happy Birthday Commander

Author: Nicolas Wattelle

Do you know someone who has already celebrated a birthday twice in a MDRS mission? Personally, I do!

The first time, it was three years ago, in 2019. Back then, Cerise was the Health and Safety Officer for Crew 206, another Supaero crew. Apparently, she loved this experience, so she decided to become Commander for Crew 263: here she is!

Our commander is now 25 years old; hence, she is our dean here! But, no needs to say, she has not taken a single wrinkle, and keeps her vivacity in her functions!

You might ask yourself, what is the purpose of a MDRS commander? This is someone with experience in analogs, someone for whom living a simulation is not unknown. In our case, she was very useful since we prepared for this mission. From how to mentally prepare to live a MDRS mission, to very practical questions: how warm it is in the MDRS, what clothes to take in our suitcase, what is not to forget…?

Moreover, she is responsible for the entire mission. On one hand, she keeps an eye on everyone’s experiments and stays updated about eventual unforeseen. On the other hand, a bit like Valentine the HSO does, she takes care of the team spirit, and of how everyone individually feels during the mission. So, she is almost everywhere.

This is why it was a hassle for us to organise her a birthday surprise. But we succeeded doing it! It took place at noon for lunch, during the dessert, around a delicious chocolate cake. In order to find her gift, she had to solve enigmas, like in a treasure hunt! To be honest, it was funny seeing her struggling a bit to resolve the first problems. Do not tell her, I would be in trouble, she is my commander…

It was a good moment of cohesion!

During the morning, we went on EVA (yes, I was in again) with Cerise and Mathéo, to test Augmented Reality mapping in an unknown canyon, named White Rock Canyon. Technically speaking, it was not really a success: it is hard to use Augmented Reality in very bright environments. At least, the weather was good and the place we discovered was wonderful.

Valentine was supposed to continue the HF propagation wave study, which is currently really interesting to perform thanks to the Sun activity. But this study is victim of bad luck: in the same time, outside the Hab one of the antennas telescopic arms collapsed, and inside the electrical transformer stopped working correctly… So, we are quite frustrated. We hope to put it back in order before our mission ends!

Otherwise, the whole crew performed human factors test, the ones provided by Université de Lorraine. We feel like we are losing efficiency on it throughout the mission, our attention might decrease… But it is still enough not to forget Cerise’s birthday!

Operations Report – March 7th

Crew 263 Operations Report 07-03-2022

SOL: 14

Name of person filing report: Mathéo Fouchet

Non-nominal systems: Nothing to report

Notes on non-nominal systems: Nothing to report

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: Yes

Hours: 157.7

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 61%

Currently charging: Yes

Opportunity rover used: No

Hours: 85.8

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 100%

Currently charging: Yes

Curiosity rover used: No

Hours: 169.9

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 100%

Currently charging: Yes

Perseverance rover used: Yes

Hours: 228.6

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 43%

Currently charging: Yes

General notes and comments: Nothing to report

Summary of Hab operations:

WATER USE: 18 gallons

Water (static tank): 283 gallons

Water (loft tank): 37 gallons

Water Meter: 01563212 units

Static to Loft Pump used: Yes

Static tank pipe heater: On

Static tank heater: On

Toilet tank emptied: No

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:

Dual split: Off

SOC: 86% at 6:07pm

Summary of RAM operations: Nothing to report

Summary of any observatory issues: Nothing to report

Summary of health and safety issues: See HSO Report

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

Eva Report – March 7th

Crew 263 EVA Report 07-03-2022

EVA # 18

Author: Nicolas WATTELLE

Purpose of EVA: Atmospheric Experiment Maintenance, Augmented Reality Mapping in zone J

Start time: 9:03

End time: 11:23

Narrative:

Nicolas, Mathéo and Cerise first checked all rovers’ batteries. They then moved to the Atmospheric experiment zone using Spirit and Perseverance. There, they changed batteries of MegaAres, PurpleAir and LOAC. But LOAC had trouble restarting, so they decided to take it back in the Hab in order to repair it, and put it back on the field tomorrow.

At 9:27 they moved towards White Rock Canyon, and arrived at 9:50. Perseverance’s battery was at 63% charged and Spirit’s one 73%.

9:55: Mathéo flied his drone around the zone in order to spot the best way to enter the Canyon.

10:00: Nicolas, Cerise and Mathéo started walking to the Canyon entrance.

10:11: Arrival inside the Canyon. Mathéo then started using the Hololens, but struggled to see Augmented Reality information because of natural luminosity. Then they walked through the Canyon, mapping the place. The mapping did not stay in place during the verification phase.

11:02: Nicolas, Cerise and Mathéo took back the rovers and headed to the station.

11:20: Arrival at MDRS. Perseverance’s battery was at 43% charged and Spirit’s one 61%.

11:23: Nicolas, Cerise and Mathéo entered the Airlock. Pressurization ended at 11h28.

Destination: Intersection between Cow Dung Road and Entrance Road. The atmospheric experiment devices are set up in a circle of radius 2 m. Zone J. Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 518288 E, 4250586 N

Participants : Nicolas Wattelle, Mathéo Fouchet, Cerise Cuny

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Entrance Road, Cow Dung Road (heading to South)

Mode of travel: rover, foot

Sol Summary – March 7th

Crew 263 Sol Summary 07-03-2022

Sol: 14

Summary Title:

Author’s name: Cerise Cuny

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary: This morning, during our sports session, Valentine organized a very fun race: it is always a good idea to change our habits. Nicolas, Mathéo and I had a very nice EVA in White Rock Canyon. The results of the AR app testing were a bit disappointing, it needs to be improved. It actually demonstrates the usefulness of such EVAs that unravel unexpected issues.

At lunch, the crew surprised me with a delicious chocolate fudge brownie, upgraded with honey crackers, marshmallows and chunks of chocolate! It was absolutely delicious! They also planned a little treasure hunt for me to find my present. It was very thoughtful, I feel blessed to be in such good company for my birthday.

In the afternoon, some of us went through our usual human factors experiments while Mathéo baked bread for diner, Nicolas finished the new episode of his podcast and Léa and Marine rigorously planned tomorrow’s EVA.

Look Ahead Plan: As tomorrow four crew members will go on a long EVA, we decided to cancel their morning sport session. They will go in Candor Chasma to find satin spar and bedded gypsum. In the evening, we might have an emergency exercice again.

Anomalies in work: None

Weather: Sunny in the morning, cloudy and very windy in the afternoon.

Crew Physical Status: Very good.

EVA: EVA 18 in the morning. No issue to report.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA Report (n°18), EVA Request (n°19), Operations Report, Journalist Report, HSO Report, Astronomy Report.

Support Requested: No support requested.

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