GreenHab Report – February 27th

GreenHab Officer: Adrien Tison

Environmental control: Heater

Average Temperature: 75.4°F

Average humidity: 23 %

Hours of supplemental light: 0 hour

Daily water usage for crops: 12.55 gallons

Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 0.13gallons

Water in the blue tank: 161.94 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops: 9:23 & 14:45

Changes to crops: I followed the instructions given by Shannon and took care of the dill and greens. I then cut the dills and pulled half of it. I harvested the greens in the planters and replanted new seeds.

Narrative: Today, I had more workload than usual but for the better! This morning I was the HabCom for today’s EVA so it was the crew astronomer and crew journalist who watered the plants and crops in the morning.

But many things were to be done, so I went back to the GreenHab in the afternoon. Then, I began by watering plants and crops to ensure their well-being. And finally, I started harvesting greens, lettuce, kale, and dills with the help of the HSO.

We took care of the dills and after a long work we finished and replanted new greens seeds.

Harvest: 102 g of kale, 254 g of greens, 30 g of lettuce, 124 g of dill

Support/supplies needed: N/A

Operations Report – February 27th

Crew 275 Operations Report 27Feb2023
SOL: 15

Name of person filing report: Quentin Royer
Non-nominal systems:
• Toilet
• Spacesuit n°9
• GreenHab Carbon Monoxide alarm

Notes on non-nominal systems: None

ROVERS
Spirit rover used: No
• Hours: 209.6
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: N/A
• Currently charging: Yes

Opportunity rover used: Yes
• Hours: 113.5
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: 77%
• Currently charging: Yes

Curiosity rover used: No
• Hours: 221.4
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: N/A
• Currently charging: Yes

Perseverance rover used: Yes
• Hours: 255.9
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: 68%
• Currently charging: Yes

General notes on rovers: Nothing to report.

Summary of Hab operations: The Crew conducted routine operations. Location tracking sensors were placed.
• WATER USE: 20.60 – The formula is inaccurate for the top of the tank
• Water: 457.82 gallons
• Static tank pipe heater: On
• Static tank heater: On
• Toilet tank emptied: No

Summary of internet: Hughes Net was used during the day before the opening of COMMS for email purposes, and Starlink (MDRSCampus-Guest) is used during COMMS. MDRScampus is used for experimental purpose.

Summary of suits and radios: Suits and radios were used during today’s EVA. Nothing to report.

Summary of GreenHab operations: The Crew botanist conducted routine operations. He harvested and reseeded greens. A location tracking sensor was placed.
• WATER USE: 12.68 gallons
• Heater: On
• Supplemental light: No
• Harvest: 102 g of kale – 254 g of microgreens – 30 g of lettuce – 124 g of dill

Summary of ScienceDome operations: No operations were conducted in the ScienceDome. Location tracking sensors were placed.
• Dual split: Switched off during the night

Summary of RAM operations: No operations were conducted in the RAM today. A location tracking sensor was placed.

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.

Sol Summary Report – February 27th

Crew 275 Sol Summary Report 27Feb2023

Sol: 15

Summary Title: Cosmic Chasma

Author’s name: Jeremy Rabineau, Commander.

Mission Status: Nominal.

Sol Activity Summary:

Today we performed our very first 4-hour EVA at Candor Chasma. The aim of this ambitious EVA was to define checkpoints and perform photogrammetry of the area using Anafi drones. This time, the area of interest was much wider and required more pictures (the computer is still working on building the 3D render of the terrain). The EVA crew was amazed by the landscapes that they had the opportunity to see, and the four remaining crewmembers are looking forward to seeing that for themselves later during the week.

With the clear sky of last night, our crew astronomer thought that the observations he had planned would have been performed, but he was disappointed to see that it was not the case. Unfortunately, it was also too windy to observe the Sun today…

At the GreenHab, it was time for an intense harvest. New seeds have also been planted. We are all looking forward to seeing them grow as we get closer to the end of our mission every day.

Look Ahead Plan:

After today’s EVA, some post-processing is needed to prepare the two next EVAs to Candor Chasma. The first one would take place on Wednesday (Sol 17) and the second one on Friday (Sol 19). The EVA crews would have to find specific checkpoints based on a 2D map or a 3D render. We are also planning to have a second geology EVA on Sol 20, to further test the MetMet instrument. We would like to take the opportunity of these different EVAs to change the batteries of the weather instruments, since they cannot last for more than two days, especially in cold weather.

The BBC is planned to arrive at the MDRS on Friday (Sol 19) between 8:30 and 9:00. They would follow us on our EVA to Candor Chasma, then film inside the station in the afternoon and leave at around 17:00.

Anomalies in work: None.

Weather: Sunny and windy, low -2°C/28°F, high 8°C/46°F.

Crew Physical Status: Optimal.

EVA: None.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA Report, Operations Report, Journalist Report, GreenHab Report, Astronomy Report.

Support Requested: None.

Science Report – February 26th

Crew 275 Mid-mission research report 26Feb2023

Physics

Two experiments from the French National Center of Scientific Research (CNRS) have been performed at the MDRS for several years already. We are gathering additional data for this season as well. These activities require EVAs. There are three types of measurements: The Field Mill and Mega-Ares measure the electric field; the weather station measures wind and temperature; and the Purple Air instrument as well as the LOAC (Light Optical Aerosol Counter) collect and classify particles. The installation of these instruments was not easy, as the weather was not kind to us. After a long snow fall, we had to wait for the snow to melt completely so that we could set up the instruments safely. The Mega-Ares had a problem with its sphere-shaped antenna (no conductivity between the two hemispheres). We also had a problem with the battery wire of the Field Mill. All these problems required 4 EVA to set up all the instruments correctly. At Sol 13, we managed to simultaneously collect our first data with all the instruments.

Technology

Three technology demonstrations are planned, one of them being the continuation of last year’s mission of ISAE-Supaero (Crew 263). They are based on technologies developed by the French Space Agency (CNES) and its health subsidiary (MEDES), as well as a private company (Nucleus VR).

· AI4U: AI4U is an artificial intelligence designed by French space agency (CNES) and the company Spoon to assist the astronauts during their mission. We started to set up the main functionalities of « Ed » (its name), which is a depressurization alert assistant that helps us with the protocols in case of emergency. We tested the dialog flow to ease vocal recognition. With the environmental sensors installed on the whole campus, we will soon connect them to Ed so that it can inform us about the conditions at different locations through the station (humidity in RAM, or temperature in Greenhab, for instance).

· Echofinder: EchoFinder is an experiment conducted in collaboration with CNES, consisting in testing a protocol for astronauts to perform ultrasounds without any prior training. This experiment has already been conducted in the past by ISAE-Supaero crews. This year, the aim is to test a new Augmented Reality interface coupled with an organ detection AI. So far, we have gone through 6 sessions, each performed in pairs: the two crewmembers take turns in performing the ultrasound and being subject to the experiment. We have had several issues with this experiment, mainly because our hardware did not support the EchoFinder software very well. With the help of the researchers from CNES, our crew engineer managed to transfer the software to a more powerful device which has made the last two sessions much easier to perform. We aim to go through six more sessions to provide the researchers with a complete set of data, so they can evaluate the accuracy of their AI and how the AR interface can be improved.

· Digital twins: Evaluation of a digital twin training method to help astronauts using hardware and better visualizing how to fix or use an object. The aim of this experiment is to use a digital environment with a numerical 3D model of an object. However, we did not have time to work on this experiment so far.

Human Factors

Three human factor experiments are planned for this season. They are the result of a collaboration with the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), the French Military Institute of Biomedical Research (IRBA), and the University of Burgundy (France).

· KTHitecture: Measure of the stress of analog astronauts and of the influence of environmental parameters on the stress. We successfully deployed environmental monitoring sensors to measure temperature, pression, humidity, and luminance in each room of the station. After the IRB review was accepted and forwarded to MDRS representatives, we started physiological measurements with chest band sensors (ECG, actigraphy) and psychometric tests. We are now finishing the implementation of the indoor location tracking system. The aim is to record the position of each crew member and hence have information concerning their environment when analyzing the data. Finally, the crewmembers regularly fill Sociomapping questionnaires about their social interactions, the crew’s atmosphere and performance, etc. In addition to the scientific interest of such maps, they enable us to detect social problems and enhance the global performance of the crew.

· ETERNITI: Study of the psycho-physio-cognitive functioning and of the benefits of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in the context of Mars analog missions. taVNS consists in a non-invasive stimulation of the vagus nerve at the level of the ear. It is a very encouraging candidate as a countermeasure to mitigate the harmful effects of future interplanetary missions and improve individual performance. In the recent years, taVNS has indeed shown its potential to reduce symptoms, improve cognitive performance, and enhance recovery. We did not start these protocols, as we have not received the IRB approval yet. The IRB came back to the investigators with the request to get a letter from the Mars Society mentioning that they had no problem implementing the experiment, should they accept it. We sent three emails to ask for such a letter from the Mars Society, but did not get any answer.

· Adapt Mars: Self-report questionnaires to explore some aspects linked to individual and social adaptation to isolated and confined extreme environments. The aim is to examine the social, emotional, occupational, and physical impact of these environments. Other objectives include: the impact on individual psychological adaptation factors (stress, recovery, defense mechanism, etc.) and interpersonal relationships (cohesion, leadership, etc.). We did not start these protocols, as we have not received the IRB approval yet.

Botany

Two botany experiments are taking place at the Green Hab. They are designed with the support of researchers from ISAE-Supaero and NASA.

· Aquapony: The aim of this experiment is to test aquaponics systems inside the Green Hab and to evaluate their viability in Mars analog missions. The aquaponics system has been in place since Sol 2. It works well, the water tests show a good environment for the fish. Plants are growing well; however, we can notice that the parsley is not really accommodating to it, and the basil shows a little bit of struggle too. We keep an eye on every plant growing and we can clearly see their roots are way denser than at the beginning of the mission. Overall, everything goes to plan.

· Microgreen: The idea behind this activity is to grow crops of microgreens in the Green Hab. One of the main advantages of microgreens is that they grow quickly and can be included in the food consumption of the crew. This experiment began late because we unfortunately did not receive the kit we should have started with. But as there are microgreens seeds in the GreenHab we decided to launch the experiment with these (Beta vulgaris seeds) on Sol 8. Since then, they have been calmly growing, we can now see their little leaves popping out of the dirt. Photographs have been taken to monitor their growth.

Geology & Exploration

Two geology and exploration experiments are being implemented and require dedicated EVAs. They have been prepared together with scientists from CNRS and ISAE-Supaero. One of the experiments includes the use of a drone for which a license has been obtained by a crew member (Quentin Royer).

· MetMet: Test of material used to measure the magnetic susceptibility and electrical conductimetry of rocks to rapidly assess their type. This material is currently used to differentiate meteorites from terrestrial rocks. This experiment started only on Sol 13, with an EVA to Kissing Camel Ridge W. The tested material was found to be very user-friendly, and the EVA was overall a great success. A lot of samples were taken thanks to this field work. They will be studied further next week. Another EVA is planned at the end of the week to couple both geology and photogrammetry information.

· Photogrammetry: Test of the added value of having a 3D map of a terrain (mapped with a drone from Parrot) to prepare EVAs and facilitate exploration. These tests include the localization and identification of specific points of interest during EVAs, with prior familiarization with a 2D map or a 3D render of the terrain. We conducted 3 EVAs related to photogrammetry during the second week. Photogrammetry of the North Ridge area was performed during the first of these EVAs. Two additional ones were then performed, and Crew members who had access to either a 2D map or a 3D render had to find predefined checkpoints in the field. We measured the accuracy and efficiency to find the checkpoints. At least 3 more EVAs will be performed during the 2nd half of the mission, in order to reproduce the same process on a different field.

Biology

One biology experiment has been prepared with the university of Hawaii and makes use of the EVAs planned already for the MetMet experiment.

· Biofinder: The aim of this experiment is to identify traces of life with a fluorescence technology instrument during EVA. The first samples were taken during the EVA of Sol 13 and will be studied during the next week. Another EVA is planned at the end of week three to collect more samples.

Astronomy

One astronomy project has been prepared with Peter Detterline at the Mars Society.

· Asteroid characterization: The aim of this project is to measure the lightcurve, velocity, and rotation rate of pre-identified asteroids. It makes use of robotic observatory available at the MDRS. Because of the cloudy weather, this project has not really started so far. We hope the weather conditions will improve in the next days so that the first observations can be performed.

Journalist Report – February 26th

Sol 14 – Halfway through

“The boys would hike far out into the Martian country. They carried odorous paper bags into which from time to time upon the long walk they would insert their noses to inhale the rich smell of the ham and mayonnaised pickles.”

– Chapter 14 of The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

With the sun shining this bright and taking advantage of our rest day, we could almost have gone out for a picnic EVA! Today, we took a break from our daily routine to clean the station, sleep in a little, and take it slow to recharge our batteries. We took time to tell jokes and play a guessing game after lunch, before everyone returned to their activities. On a sidenote, Alice and I had been waiting for this moment for a few days: halfway through the mission, we washed our hair! We came back to the Upper Deck delightfully light-headed, and with smiles on our faces.

The atmosphere was more studious and quieter than last week: some played chess, finished a jigsaw puzzle, cooked, or started preparing for week 3 of the mission. Quentin and I worked for most of the day on the mid-rotation video, which we are anxious to share tonight!
It’s hard to believe that we are already halfway through our mission. Having spent so much time preparing and seeing it go by so quickly is a bit nerve-racking. We have all had different ways of experiencing the MDRS for the past two weeks, and it’s been very interesting to discuss our outlooks for the next two!

GreenHab Report – February 26th

GreenHab Officer: Adrien Tison

Environmental control: Heater

Average Temperature: 71.2°F

Average humidity: 36 %

Hours of supplemental light: 0 hour

Daily water usage for crops: 11.98 gallons

Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 0gallons

Water in the blue tank: 174.62 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops: 10:15 & 16:15

Changes to crops: N/A

Narrative: Today was our rest day, but the GreenHab doesn’t rest so I maintained and watered crops and plants as usual.

I will harvest the greens tomorrow for sure, we will use them to cook some recipes written by pupils with whom we worked before leaving the Earth!

Just to inform you, I noticed that there were chives growing in the carrot tank, I do not know which crew planted chive seeds in there, but it seems that it is now growing well!

I also want to affirm the supplemental light is off and that sunshades have been deployed. As there is no 40% sunshade but only 30%, 50%, and 60%, I deployed the 30% on the left side and the 50% on the right side, as shown on yesterday’s photographs I sent.

Besides that, the plants are doing good, fishes too.

The GreenHab is a peaceful place where everything looks, smells, and tastes heavenly…

Harvest: N/A

Support/supplies needed: I would like some advice to know exactly when you think plants are too tall and I must cut them, we wouldn’t want a jungle of tomato plants and dills.

Operations Report – February 26th

Crew 275 Operations Report 26Feb2023
SOL: 14

Name of person filing report: Quentin Royer
Non-nominal systems:
• Toilet
• Spacesuit n°9
• GreenHab Carbon Monoxide alarm

Notes on non-nominal systems: None

ROVERS
Spirit rover used: No
• Hours: 209.6
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: N/A
• Currently charging: Yes

Opportunity rover used: No
• Hours: 113.4
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: N/A
• Currently charging: Yes

Curiosity rover used: No
• Hours: 221.4
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: N/A
• Currently charging: Yes

Perseverance rover used: No
• Hours: 255.8
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: N/A
• Currently charging: Yes

General notes on rovers: Nothing to report.

Summary of Hab operations: The Crew conducted routine operations.
• WATER USE: 23.96 – The formula is inaccurate for the top of the tank
• Water: 478.42 gallons
• Static tank pipe heater: On
• Static tank heater: On
• Toilet tank emptied: No

Summary of internet: Hughes Net was used during the day before the opening of COMMS for email purposes, and Starlink (MDRSCampus-Guest) is used during COMMS. MDRScampus is used for experimental purpose.

Summary of suits and radios: Suits and radios were used during today’s EVA. Nothing to report.

Summary of GreenHab operations: The Crew botanist conducted routine operations.
• WATER USE: 11.98 gallons
• Heater: On
• Supplemental light: No
• Harvest: No

Summary of ScienceDome operations: The commander organized interviews with each crew member.
• Dual split: Switched off during the night

Summary of RAM operations: No operations were conducted in the RAM today.

Summary of any observatory issues: Nothing to report.

Summary of health and safety issues: Nothing to report.

Questions, concerns, and requests to Mission Support:
• We have a few issues with the wind sensor from our atmospheric instruments station. For scientific purpose, is it possible to access the data of wind measurements from the MDRS weather station? Are they already recorded and stored somewhere?
• There was a mouse in the Engineering Airlock tonight at 6:30 pm, interested by our trash. It ran away as the Crew Engineer entered the Airlock to go in the pressurized corridors to check the level of the water tank.

Sol Summary Report – February 26th

Crew 275 Sol Summary Report 26Feb2023

Sol: 14

Summary Title: Halfway through

Author’s name: Jeremy Rabineau, Commander.

Mission Status: Nominal.

Sol Activity Summary:

Here we are! Exactly halfway through our mission. Even though we decided that Sundays should be rest days, some of us found themselves busy with work-related activities. But we made sure to also take the opportunity of this day off to clean the station, play games, etc.

In the early afternoon, we were surprised when we heard people speaking Japanese on the Channel 1 of our radios. When looking at the window of the Hab, we indeed saw two pickup trucks on the road. Two days ago, while on EVA, we saw a helicopter turning around us and around the MDRS at a very low altitude. We were not aware of how close we were from the other Martian stations!

Our crew journalist and crew engineer worked hard on the mid-rotation video, and we are very happy about the result! With the weather getting better, the crew astronomer is excited to finally be able to start his observations. The crops in the GreenHab are very pleasing to see and we all look forward to the next harvests. Everything is set for this third week to be fantastic!

Look Ahead Plan:

Next week, we would like to plan 3 additional EVAs dedicated to photogrammetry in Candor Chasma. The first one would take place tomorrow (Sol 15) and would be dedicated to the mapping of the area. In the two following ones (on Sol 17 and Sol 19), the EVA crews would have to find specific checkpoints based on a 2D map or a 3D render, respectively. We are also planning to have a second geology EVA on Sol 20, to further test the MetMet instrument. We would like to take the opportunity of these different EVAs to change the batteries of the weather instruments, since they cannot last for more than two days, especially in cold weather.

Anomalies in work: None.

Weather: Sunny, low -1°C/30°F, high 10°C/50°F.

Crew Physical Status: Optimal.

EVA: None.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA Request, Operations Report, Journalist Report, GreenHab Report, Mid-mission research report.

Support Requested: None.

EVA Report – February 25th

Crew 275 EVA Report 25Feb2023

EVA # 12

Author: Alice Chapiron, EVA Leader and Crew Scientist

Purpose of EVA: Testing the MetMet and explori0.ng the area

Start time: 9:03

End time: 11:51

Narrative:

09:03: Airlock closed.

09:10: Rovers Curiosity and Spirit unplugged. We then left from the Hab at 09:14.

09:16: Rovers parked near the atmospheric instruments.

09:58: Data retrieved and batteries changed for the Purple Air, LOAC, Mega-Ares, and Weather Station. The EVA crew is about to go back to the rovers to go to their target location (Kissing Camel Ridge W).

10:15: Rovers are parked at Kissing Camel Ridge, the EVA Leader pass on channel 2 in order to hear her EVA crewmates, then the EVA Crew begins to walk towards their destination for sample collection.

10:34: The EVA Crew starts drawing the area where they will take the rock samples.

10:43: The EVA Crew begins to collect samples and to do the related measurements with the MetMet.

11:04: The EVA Leader had some problems hearing the HabCom with her radio, the Crew Commander took the communications.

11:25: The EVA Crew is tidying up their material.

11:30: EVA Crew back to the Rover.

11:42: Arrival at the Hab.

11:51: End of the EVA.

Destination: Kissing Camel Ridge W

Coordinates: N4249500 E518000

Participants: EVA Leader: Alice Chapiron (Crew Scientist), Jérémy Rabineau (Crew Commander), Adrien Tison (Crew Botanist), Marie Delaroche (Crew Journalist)

HabCom: Alexandre Vinas (Crew Astronomer)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road until Robert’s Rock Garden then we will walk to a maximum of 400m from the rovers

Mode of travel: Driving using Curiosity and Spirit and walking

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