Crew Photos – January 6th
GreenHab Report – January 6th
Crew 272 GreenHab Report 06-01-2023
GreenHab Officer: Madelyn Whitaker
Environmental control: heater, door open
Average temperatures: 74 F
Hours of supplemental light: 4 hours
Daily water usage for crops: 8 gallons
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 1 gallon
Water in Blue Tank : 265 gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops: 830, 1400
Changes to crops: Harvested beans, chives, microgreens. Planted lettuce and kale.
Narrative: Watered and monitored all GreenHab crops. Watered all experimental crops. Harvested beans, microgreens, and chives. Planted lettuce and kale. Crew engineer was consulted about possibility of malfunctioning cooling system as GreenHab temp reached 88.8F at 1:30 p.m., which was later resolved by mission support. Cleaned out some wilted plants in larger herb tray to use as added nutrients in freshly planted kale and lettuce.
Harvest: (include which crop and mass in grams): 11g beans, 3g chives, 10g microgreens
Support/supplies needed: N/A
Journalist Report – January6th
Crew 272 Journalist Report 06-01-2023
Sol: 5
Author: Kenny Pritchard, Crew Journalist
Title: On the Road Again
In contrast to the previous, we started off this sol with our regular exercises (cricket-focused stretches led by Kshitij) and the promise of an approved EVA plan! This forms an air of excitement for those of us who are lucky enough to be on the EVA crew (or an air of dread if they’re still sore from the previous EVA). Arly made us egg casserole a la a recipe generously left in the Hab by Crew 89 — it was delicious, and we ate the exact amount that was cooked. It was just an oeuf.
Kshitij, Mason, Adriana, and I drove out for the EVA and monitored the battery of our electric transport rovers (Spirit and Opportunity) as we travelled. Rover battery is an important resource out away from the Hab – we monitor our speed to conserve charge and stop immediately if we reach 60%. It’s fairly easy to find a parking space out here, and once we had taken the rovers to the right location, we proceeded on foot. Our trek took us up and down the topography around MDRS to find the previously visited location of the Boiler Transmission Station and turn it on for Kshitij’s research. Sufficiently tired from the hike already, we then proceeded back down to the rovers and set off for our next destination: Candor Chasma, via the walking route Gateway to Candor. Candor Chasma is a river-forged canyon exemplary of the unique Martian stratigraphy near MDRS. There, Mason piloted his drone once again, capturing awesome orbital videos of the crew and scouting ahead beyond the end of our route. While Kshitij climbed up one side of the canyon to get a good signal to his antenna, Adriana searched for paleoflow indicators and quizzed me, a ‘non-geologist’ on geological fundamentals to observe my ‘behavior’ for her research. Everyone completed their objectives with flying colors (I’ll resist the urge to make a drone joke), except I got most of the geology questions wrong. The way back proved to be a bit of a fiasco because we had to stop at the Boiler Transmission Station to turn it off before returning to the Hab. Kshitij, experiencing slight communication issues, completely fogging up his visor, and moving as fast as his suit permitted, was a sight to behold as he rushed ahead to reach the Station. We all hurried back to our rovers together and arrived back at the Hab about 7 minutes over schedule – something we’ll have to fix for next time. More data for me!
Back in the Hab, Megan began printing a rock hammer to replace Adriana’s if it just so happens to be unavailable at some point during our mission. Madelyn tended lovingly to the vegetation in the GreenHab, battling abnormally high temperatures to keep the plants healthy. She loves them so much that a portion of her research microgreens are treated with the crew’s own toilet water! I guess everyone shows affection in different ways. Arly waited, poised upon the EVA crew’s return, to have us take our cognitive performance assessments and surveys as soon as possible. The results are more pronounced if we’re still coming down from the physical and mental exertion of the EVA. Always a warm welcome! Kshitij is on duty tonight, having recovered from his earlier state, and will be putting together a ramen dinner. Good luck to us all.
EVA Report – January6th
Crew 272 EVA Report 06-01-2023
EVA # 4
Author: Arly Black
Purpose of EVA: 1) Test of the MicroFox 15 transmitters using the Yagi-Uda antenna at Candor Chasma 2) Scouting of Candor Chasma by drone 2) Depositional environments of Candor Chasma, with specific focus on finding paleoflow indicators
Start time: 11:05 AM
End time: 2:37 PM
Narrative: After being grounded yesterday, and spending the day going over objectives and procedures, our antsy adventurers were stoked to get out and explore some more Martian terrain today. The crew was ready on time, despite a small problem with Kshitij’s mic. After pulling it out and then putting it back in, it seemed to work fine. Five minutes spent in the airlock listening to poor dad jokes was the perfect way to start the EVA. Mason and Kshitij took the lead in Opportunity, with Kshitij driving and Mason navigating, while Adriana and Kenny puttered along behind in Spirit, with Adriana driving and Kenny keep track of speed and state of charge. 8 minutes in, it was clear that Oppy performs much better than Spirit. Spirit had lost 20%, and Oppy 12%, while both driving at 10 km/hr.
The crew parked their rovers at the intersection of Cow Dung Road and Gateway to Candor, and walked on foot to Boiler Ledge, where they had left the Boiler Transmission Station (BTS) two days before. Kshitij turned on the BTS transmitter and HabCom turned on the transmitter located in the Hab. Kshitij performed a test of the Yagi-Uda antenna system using the Hab transmitter to check the range of the signal reception sector. Remarkably, he found it to be 180 degrees! Mason assisted with this, while Kenny and Adriana hammered and collected rock samples. It was at this time that Kshitij noticed issues with the cooling fan in his helmet when it started turning on and off sporadically. He also started to have radio/headset issues – it was choppy but improved over time – it was likely a loose connection.
Around 12:10 PM all crew members walked back to the rover, dropped off their samples, and picked up the drone. They then walked along Gateway to Candor to the entrance to Candor Chasma. Mason conducted a drone range test and scouted areas around Candor Chasma. The drone was able to reach around 850 m (2800 ft) which was a major success, especially when compared to the measly 300 m from last EVA – wahoo! Given that it was a sunny day with no ground interference, they had the perfect conditions for flying! Adriana began an experiment to test the performance of a non-geologist in the field – i.e banana-fingered Kenneth. No, that isn’t a slur, it is a literal description. In order to operate his phone with bulky Martian gloves, Kenny literally tied a banana peel to his gloved finger. And it worked like a charm! (now we’ll have to start saying “works like a banana”). Adriana asked questions about his perception of geologic processes in the area. His gut instincts were apparently correct, but ultimately his final answers were – womp womp – NOT. They discussed water flow direction and geomorphology features. And Adriana successfully located some paleoflow indicators!! One measurement she used was a strike and dip of forsets (we all know what that means, right?).
Meanwhile, down in the valley of Gateway to Candor, Kshitij was initially not able to detect a signal from the BTS or the Hab. The antenna needs line of sight to operate, so he climbed the north slope of the canyon (still within sight of the rest of the crew members) to get to a higher elevation with line of sight to both BTS and the Hab. There he was able to locate both locations. All in all, a very successful test!
The explorers then hiked back out through the Gateway to Candor and dropped off the drone and antenna at the rovers. The one remaining task was to turn off the BTS transmitter. Rather than send everyone back, the crew decided to make a line-of-sight train with Kenny and Adriana remaining nearest the rovers, Mason further along, and Kshitij left to trudge all the way to the transmitter. That way, each person had line of sight to at least one other person, without expending unnecessary energy. One note is that it is difficult to navigate to the Boiler Ledge and a better location method is needed. It was at this time that Kshitij experienced a complete meltdown of his helmet cooling system, sending his helmet into a foggy frenzy, and Mason stepped in to verbally and physically guide Kshitij back to the rover. At some point, Adriana lost her phone but was able to locate it. Kenny turned the rovers around to save time while Mason and Kshitij made their way back from the ledge. Then all crew members returned to the Hab in the rovers. While returning, both rovers seemed to perform better, likely due to a slight downhill slope in the road. Due to the helmet and visibility issues, the crew was seven minutes late in returning to the Hab – not too shabby!
In conclusion, all the objectives of the mission were achieved, although they did not make it as far into Candor Chasma as Adriana would have liked. Everyone got to smash some rocks with Adriana’s fabulous hammer, Little Rocky, and Kshitij successfully completed his experiment.
Lessons learned: 1. There were too many objectives laid out for this EVA given the time that was allotted – need to request more time next time. 2. It is valuable to follow a checkpoint system where landmarks are noted on your map as you pass, so that the course is maintained – this is what the crew did and it was wildly successful.
Destination: Galileo Road (Boiler Transmission Station) and Candor Chasma
Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): N519600, E4251500 (Boiler Transmission Station), N523000, E4251300 (Candor Chasma)
Participants: Adriana Brown (Crew Geologist), Kenny Pritchard (Crew Journalist), Mason Kuhn (Crew Engineer), Kshitij Mall (Crew Commander)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Drove on Cow Dung Road until Gateway to Candor and parked the rovers. Walked on foot to Boiler Transmission Station located near Galileo Road at N519600, E4251500 to switch on the transmitter. Returned on foot to the rovers and walked through the Gateway to Candor until Candor Chasma. Later, returned on foot through Gateway to Candor to the rovers, deposited samples, drone, and antenna, and returned on foot to the coordinates near Galileo Road to switch off the transmitter. Returned on foot to rovers and returned to Hab via Cow Dung Road.
Mode of travel: Driving and walking
Operations Report – January 6th
Crew 272 Operations Report 6-1-2023
SOL: 5
Name of person filing report: Mason Kuhn
Non-nominal systems: Headset in box 3
Notes on non-nominal systems: Radio 3 has been tested with other headsets and is nominal. Headset 3 has poor audio and others can only hear static from headset 3.
ROVERS
Spirit rover used: Yes
Hours: 206.8
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 71%
Currently charging: Yes
Opportunity rover used: Yes
Hours: 111.2
Beginning charge: 99%
Ending charge: 81%
Currently charging: Yes
Curiosity rover used: No
Hours: 218.9
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: Yes
Perseverance rover used: No
Hours: 253.4
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: Yes
General notes on rovers: Spirit and Opportunity were used on the EVA. It was noticed that Opportunity held a charge much better than Spirit did, especially in the early stages of the EVA.
Summary of Hab operations:
WATER USE: 13.1 gallons
Water (static tank): 298.4 gallons
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On
Static tank heater (On or off): On
Toilet tank emptied: Yes
Summary of internet: Nominal
Summary of suits and radios: Suits 7, 8, 10, 11 were used on today’s EVA. All suits are currently charging. Suit 7 was charged to 13.68 V before the EVA, but the crew member wearing it noted that the airflow was poor. I will look to troubleshoot suit 7 tonight. All radios performed nominally during the EVA. The headset in box 7 was occasionally faulty during the EVA, but it could have been an issue of not pressing the comms button with enough force. Headset 3 was tested prior to EVA and was not functional (described in non-nominal systems).
Summary of GreenHab operations: Watered and monitored all GreenHab crops. Watered experimental crops new crops in regolith & soil experiments. Planted lettuce and kale. Harvested beans, chives, and microgreens.
WATER USE: 9 gallons
Heater: On
Supplemental light: 4 hours
Harvest: 11g beans, 3g chives, 10g microgreens
Summary of ScienceDome operations:
Dual split: Will run overnight (approximately 8 pm – 8 am)
Summary of RAM operations: The CO alarm’s low battery chirp did not return during the day or night time. No items were retrieved from the RAM.
Summary of any observatory issues: N/A
Summary of health and safety issues: N/A
Questions, concerns, and requests to Mission Support:
- Request for information on if the crew can have items delivered to MDRS
- Specifically, a USB-C to lightning cable (Skydio brand only)
- Request for new salt-shaker & new dishwashing sponge
Summary Report – January 6th
Crew 272 Sol Summary Report 06-01-2023
Sol: 5
Summary Title: First Taste of Chasma
Author’s name: Kshitij Mall
Mission Status: All nominal
SolActivitySummary:The crew woke up after having seemingly delicious Black Magic birthsol cake from the previous night. The HSO, Megan, and I conducted a brief warmup exercise session to physically get ready for the EVA. The breakfast of the day, Egg Quiche, was prepared by our XO Arly assisted by Crew Engineer Mason. The EVA preparation commenced after a quick briefing session to let each member know the objectives and responsibilities of EVA for the sol. Crew Geologist Adriana, Crew Engineer Mason and Crew Journalist Kenneth joined me for this Martian voyage. The crew headed to commence the EVA in the front air lock, but soon after I had some finicky comms issue where the crew could barely hear me out. The Mission Support immediately came to rescue me out of the LOS situation. Shannon from Mission Support advised to recheck the audio jack connections and that actually resolved my comms issue.
For the EVA, checkpoints were defined and the two EVA subteam marked these checkpoints off. Also, the crew went super slow to test the batteries on the Martian rovers. Opportunity rover that I was driving performed the best while Spirit rover was not far off. We have significant SOC savings by gong very slowly. However, we noticed that the rovers consume more charge while going toward Gateway to Candor than while coming back. The comms issue resurrected when I parked Opportunity at the intersection of Cow Dung Road and the Gateway to Candor, but it got resolved over time without any major issue. My Crew then had a small hike to the BTS at the boiler ledge (next to the Galileo Road on the map) to turn on Transmitter #2 that we placed in EVA 3. I then requested Habcom to turn on transmitter #1. The Yagi Uda antenna receiver system was then tested at the boiler ledge near the BTS. In the meanwhile, Adriana (Rocky) hammered down some rocks and collected some samples. When everything appeared nominal the crew went back to the rovers and got the drone. Another spot was chosen for testing the Yagi-Uda antenna system and success was reported but only after hiking to a higher elevation spot to the right of the gateway to candor. This proved that the receiving system works only when transmitters are in line of sight. On the side, Garud the drone was in action and took some amazing video shots of Candor Chasma for scouting purposes. The range of the drone significantly increased today when it was flown at 400 ft (121.92 m). The range increased from around a 100 ft (333.33 m) to around 2600 ft (792.5 m). We eventually reached the Candor Chasma area where Adriana tested the geological abilities of Kenneth by asking him questions regarding the geological processes around that area. The EVA turned out to be a success as all the objectives were met.
This became personally my toughest EVA, even more so than the Yagi Uda antenna-based EVA that I did with my previous crew commander, Max Fagin, when my suit started fogging after the air vent and cooling unit in my suit started having issues and eventually stopped. My precious experience with suits without any air venting system came handy today. I was happy that I was still able to get everything done in time. The air venting system on my suit was nominal until I was driving the Opportunity rover. Mason and I will be checking it and will report Mission Support about our findings. The EVA crew quickly debriefed the EVA to Arly upon return. As if the EVA was not enough, the EVA crew was then summoned by Arly to complete her daily personal survey and cognitive performance tests. The EVA did impact the performance of the EVA crew, but personally I scored high on many of those tests due to post-EVA adrenaline that made me quite awake and attentive. The Greenhab officer, Madelyn reported to me and Mason about an anomaly at the Greenhab. The cooling system became non-nominal and the temperature of the Greenhab rose to 90 degrees Fahrenheits (32.2 degrees Celsius). Mission Support told us not to worry about it as it was a very sunny day and the temperature rise was boind to happen. A minor issue with the 3D printer was also fixed by Megan while the EVA crew was out. The crew’s water saving abilities and strategies led to a record low usage of only 13 gallons. I have awarded the crew their first quick shower as a reward for this record. During the evening, I gave a Bollywood 101 quick course to the remaining crew who heard/saw some of the Bollywood dance songs from India. Kenneth has been practicing some Bollywood dance steps too in his free time to destress. The dinner tonight will be on me and Adriana, as again, as if the EVA was not enough for the two of us. But we both happen to be the major foodies on this crew. So, the crew will be having some Japanese delicacies including ramen and miso soup. I stole some recipes from my wife from Japan, Sawako, and that is going to save the sol for the crew, at least for tonight. Quiet hours will kick in from 10 PM, but some crew members have been quietly playing Space Chess and solving crossword puzzles.
Look Ahead Plan: Venture further into the Candor Chasma to document Trough Crossbedding
Anomalies in work: None
Weather:Very foggy in the morning but very sunny during EVAs, winds calm
Crew Physical Status: Good
EVA: One
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Operations Report, Journalist Report, EVA Report, EVA Request, Greenhab Report.
Support Requested:We wanted to know if there is a possibility of having resources shipped to us during the rotation
Thanks
Kshitij
GreenHab Report – January 5th
Crew 272 GreenHab Report 05-01-2023
GreenHab Officer: Madelyn Whitaker
Environmental control: heater, fan used
Average temperatures: 69 F
Hours of supplemental light: 4 hours
Daily water usage for crops: 6 gallons
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 1 gallon
Water in Blue Tank : 274 gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops: 1000, 1400
Changes to crops: Harvested basil, thyme, microgreens, chive, beans, dill. Planted black nebula carrots
Narrative: Watered and monitored all GreenHab crops. Harvested herbs for tonight’s ravioli dinner, beans and microgreens for snack, dill for herb bread. Watered experimental crops, watered new crops in regolith and soil experiments. Planted black nebula carrots.
Harvest: (include which crop and mass in grams): 10 g microgreens, 5g thyme, 2g basil, 3g chive, 15g beans, 25g dill
Support/supplies needed: N/A
[end]
Journalist Report – January 5th
Crew 272 Journalist Report 1-5-2023
Sol: 4
Author: Kenny Pritchard, Crew Journalist
Title: Chert
Our morning exercise session today was overridden by the more important task of completing the EVA request/planning process that carried over from the previous evening’s comms window. Unfortunately, due to a few miscommunications and the necessity for absolute certainty in plans here, our EVA for this sol was cancelled. The mission on Mars is not accomplished by astronauts alone – our crew depends on both our Purdue Mission Control team back home and the on-site MDRS Mission Support. Given the remoteness of Mars and the communication delay from Earth, the traditional-space-mission involvement of a full-scale mission control team is not so practical, forcing our crew to operate semi-autonomously. My own research is to document disruptions to the schedules we set and better qualify the unique challenges of Martian surface operations. In a way, my data depend on the others achieving their objectives – so stop reading this and get back to work, Crew 272!
Regardless of the lack of EVA, the crew had a productive day accomplishing tasks within the cozy boundaries of the Hab. Madelyn served up a pancake breakfast and tried out a new bread recipe. In the GreenHab, she distributed the substrate from yesterday’s EVA into containers and planted some new seeds. We might get to see the beginnings of some of the ‘black nebula’ carrots she planted in a few sols. Adriana hosted a rock party in the Science Dome, teaching the crew about the various kinds of samples we thought looked shiny enough to bring back from EVAs. Mostly, it was chert. Megan ironed out some technical difficulties with the 3d printer, Mason worked on a preflight checklist for flying the drone, and Kshitij led the entire crew in reviewing EVA/mission protocols in hopes of a smoother tomorrow (or rockier, depending on how you look at it).
When she’s not adding more music to our crew’s joint playlist, Arly spends much of her time documenting behavioral observations and preparing to analyze the ongoing results of her research (pending IRB approval). Members of the crew have been taking cognitive performance tests and completing personal surveys each sol, typically immediately after returning from EVA. The results of these tests, along with air quality sensors in the Hab, will help clarify the cognitive and mental effects of highly regimented sol-to-sol life in an enclosed space.
We’re all looking forward to trying out Mason’s cheese raviolis tonight. Sure he’s handy with a wrench, but how about a spoon? Time will tell. Lastly, as I write this report, other members of the crew have adorned the upper deck of the Hab with many colorful balloons and an inflatable Baby Yoda/Grogu left to us by Crew 271. They’re whispering (well within earshot) about cake and plans to celebrate the occasion of my birth-sol. I couldn’t ask for a more unique place to enjoy it, nor a cooler Martian crew to spend it with. Thanks, team!
Crew Photos – January 5th
Operations Report – January 5th
Crew 272 Operations Report 5-1-2023
SOL: 4
Name of person filing report: Mason Kuhn
Non-nominal systems: None!
Notes on non-nominal systems: The previously mentioned Hab toilet noise does not seem to be an issue anymore.
ROVERS
Spirit rover used: No
Hours: 206.4
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: Yes
Opportunity rover used: No
Hours: 110.9
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: Yes
Curiosity rover used: No
Hours: 218.9
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: Yes
Perseverance rover used: No
Hours: 253.4
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: Yes
General notes on rovers: None were used today, no EVA
Summary of Hab operations: I gathered the upper deck trash and toilet room trash. It has been placed in the rear airlock for pickup.
WATER USE: 19.6 gallons
Water (static tank): 311.5 gallons
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On
Static tank heater (On or off): On
Toilet tank emptied: No
Summary of internet: Nominal
Summary of suits and radios: All suits 1-11 are currently charging. All radios are charged and off of the charging docks.
Summary of GreenHab operations: Watered and monitored all crops. Harvested herbs for use in tonight’s ravioli dinner, beans and microgreens for snacks, and dill to include in tomorrow’s bread. Watered experimental crops, and watered new crops in regolith and soil experiments. Planted black nebula carrots.
WATER USE: 7 gallons total
Heater: On
Supplemental light: 4 hours
Harvest: 10g microgreens, 5g thyme, 2g basil, 3g chive, 15g beans, 25g dill
Summary of ScienceDome operations: The Crew Geologist investigated many rock & mineral samples from our previous EVAs, and several other crew members joined to watch and learn from her. The ring light magnifier in the SciDome was used.
Dual split: On
Summary of RAM operations: Retrieved WD-40 to use on a stateroom’s squeaky door hinge, then put the WD-40 back in the RAM. Yesterday evening, I recognized a low-battery chirp from a CO alarm in the RAM (1 chirp, once per minute). Today I went to replace the 9V in it, but it was not chirping anymore. I will continue to check every sol to see if the chirping returns.
Summary of any observatory issues: N/A
Summary of health and safety issues: N/A
Questions, concerns, and requests to Mission Support:
- Request for trash to be taken from the rear airlock in the morning
- Request for information on the usability of the sink in the ScienceDome
Best,
Mason Kuhn
Crew Engineer
[end]
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