Crew Photos – December 15th
Sol Summary – December 15th
Sol: 5
Summary Title: A Long Walk to Geo Samples
Author’s name: Jilian Welshoff
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary:
Crew 288 started the day off at 7:45AM for a breakfast of spam fried rice made by Hunter (GEO). We shared some music recommendations and jammed out while doing dishes. The crew then prepped for another long EVA, including 4 crew members, Cesare (CMD), Hunter (GEO), Jesus (ENG), and Jilian (HSO) who were going on EVA #5 to Skyline Rim to collect more geology samples. They walked to Hab Ridge first to spot the HAB from a bird’s eye view and then continued to their destination. The walk their took about an hour and they collected about three bags of samples, picking up shell fossils and gypsum along the way.
The crew that stayed behind had a day of work and cooking experimenting, with research papers, security backgrounds, and Lipi who tried out some new recipes and made a Hab-friendly paratha recipe, which should definitely be added to the MDRS recipe book.
After returning from EVA, the crew got to enjoy leftovers and Lipi’s creation from the rest of the crew and snacks and tea. Ryan went to the Greenhab to harvest more greens for a salad and garnish for dinner. The EVA crew had some time to relax and read, grade work, and download photos. Later we enjoyed a pizza dinner made by commander Cesare and had some pizza crust with Nutella, peanut butter, and assorted dried fruits for dessert!
Look Ahead Plan: EVA #6 to collect GPR data, continue maintenance on the Greenhab plants
Anomalies in work: Our inflatable Baby Yoda will not inflate anymore
Weather: Beautiful day outside, sunny overall and great temperature for EVA
Crew Physical Status: Morale is high, and everyone physically is well just sore from EVAs
EVA: Successfully performed EVA #5 to Skyline Rim and Hab Ridge
Reports to be filed: Eva Report, Journalist Report, Greenhab Report, Operations Report, Sol Summary, Eva Request, Photos
Support Requested: None
Crew Photos – December 13th
Sol Summary – December 13th
Sol: 3
Summary Title: An Adventure on Mars and in the Kitchen
Author’s name: Jilian Welshoff
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary:
Crew 288 started the day off at 8:00AM for a breakfast of biscuits and gravy made by Commander. The crew got a lesson in Spectroscopy and roles for the geology EVAs from Hunter (Crew Geologist). After listening and learning, 4 crew members, Riley (XO), Hunter (GEO), Ryan (GHO), and Jilian (HSO) prepped to go on EVA #3 to Kissing Camel Ridge and Aonia Terra to collect GPR data and Spectroscopy data.
The crew that stayed behind had a good time exploring some new recipes in the kitchen and baked some fresh bread, while remaining responsive and attentive COMs. They attempted to take pictures of the sun from the Solar Telescope but were cut off by the incoming clouds.
After returning from EVA, the crew got to enjoy the cooking/baking efforts from the rest of the crew and analyzed/organized the data they collected. Ryan and Lipi went to the Greenhab to check up and water the plants and the EVA crew had a debrief to figure out how to execute data collection more efficiently. Before reports could be completed, we enjoyed a delicious dinner of chickpea curry made by Crew Journalist, Lipi.
Look Ahead Plan: Continue to go on Geology EVAs to collect more data, CO2 continue soldering, begin EVAs for other research, continue collecting data for overall research.
Anomalies in work: Toilet reading level is oscillating
Weather: Good temperature, partly cloudy in the morning, very cloudy in the afternoon.
Crew Physical Status: Little sore from a long EVA day but all is well and morale is high!
EVA: Successfully performed EVA #3 to Kissing Camel Ridge and Aonia Terra
Reports to be filed: Eva Report, Journalist Report, Greenhab Report, Operations Report, Sol Summary, Eva Request, Astronomy Report, Photos
Support Requested: None
Operations Report – December 13th
SOL: 3
Name of person filing report: Jeus Meza-Galvan
Non-nominal systems: Musk Telescope
Notes on non-nominal systems: Musk telescope had two issues. The first issue is that the set screws holding the eye piece in place seem to be locked in place, possibly cross threaded. One of the set screws was broken while attempting to loosen it. The second screw remains in place. The second issue with the telescope is that the bottom half of the dome is not closing. The relay inside the switch box seems to be engaging, but the motor that pulls back the bottom shutter is not responding. Both issues were reported to Peter for advice on how to proceed.
ROVERS
Spirit rover used: No
Hours: (before EVA)
Beginning charge: (Before EVA)
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging)
Currently charging: Yes
Opportunity rover used: No
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging: Yes
Curiosity rover used: Yes
Hours: 260.9
Beginning charge:100 %
Ending charge: 40 %
Currently charging: No
Perseverance rover used: Yes
Hours: 279.4
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 37 %
Currently charging: No
General notes on rovers: Parking brake on perseverance may not be functioning properly. After engaging the parking brake, the Rover continues to roll a short distance before stopping. May be a non-issue but worth reporting.
Summary of Hab operations:
WATER USE: 23 gallons
Water (static tank): 459 gallons
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On
Static tank heater (On or off): On
Toilet tank emptied: No
Summary of internet: Internet is nominal.
Summary of suits and radios: Suits and radios are nominal.
Summary of GreenHab operations: Adjusted supplemental lights to come on at 10pm. Turned fan on for ~10 minutes for ventilation.
WATER USE: 4 gallons
Heater: On
Supplemental light: On
Harvest: No harvest today.
Summary of ScienceDome operations: Science dome was used for EVA debrief and organizing samples. No equipment was used.
Dual split: Heat or AC: Off
Summary of RAM operations: (Tools used, work done): No work was done in the RAM today. Replacement comms headset was picked up.
Summary of any observatory issues: Musk telescope had two issues. The first issue is that the set screws holding the eye piece in place seem to be locked in place, possibly cross threaded. One of the set screws was broken while attempting to break it loose while the other remains in place. The second issue with the telescope is that the bottom half of the dome is not closing. The relay inside the switch box seems to be engaging, but the motor that pulls back the bottom shutter is not responding. Both issues were reported to Peter for advice on how to proceed.
Summary of health and safety issues: No health or safety issues.
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: None.
Journalist Report – December 13th
Lipi Roy, Crew 288 Journalist
12.13.2023
Sol 03
“The Earth is the cradle of humanity, but mankind cannot stay in the cradle forever.” Today, in what marked our first actual EVA, our crew tried to play a small part in understanding what lies beyond this cradle.
The crew woke up to the refreshing beats of ‘Captain Fantastic by Elton John’ and a breakfast of freshly cooked biscuits and creamy mashed potatoes – a courtesy of our commander. Excited for the first major mission, we listened intently to Hunter (Crew Geologist) and Riley (XO) as they explained how geological sampling and GPR acquisition is done.
Following the debrief, we bade goodbye to Hunter, Riley, Jilian (HSO), and Ryan (GHO) who commenced their four-and-a-half hour-long EVA to Watney Road. The data that they collect would be extremely useful in the geological mapping of the area, in hopes of proving that these techniques could be used by future Martian astronauts. Doesn’t it feel great to be a part of something much larger than yourself?
Back at the Hab, we were up to another adventure of freshly preparing bread and mayo from scratch. Free time demands creativity! Our commander also cooked spaghetti and tuna-based tomato sauce to support our crew who would come back exhausted from the EVA. We continued our hab adventure in the solar observatory, where we learnt about setting up the telescope and focusing on the Sun, thanks to our commander. Sadly, the clouds disrupted our session in-between, but I’m positive Cesare won’t say no to another class!
The evening paced down, as the successful EVA crew relaxed a bit (except for Ryan who relaxed a lot). I prepared a protein-rich chickpea curry in hopes of rejuvenating them; I hope they liked it as much as they said they did!
GreenHab Report – December 13th
GreenHab Officer: Ryan DeAngelis
Environmental control: Heater on automatically. Turned fan on for 10 minutes around 4:50. Supplemental lights on, attempted to adjust the timing to 10 pm to 2 am. Door closed.
Average temperatures: 70 degrees Fahrenheit
Hours of supplemental light: 3.5 hours, possibly 4 hours tonight.
Daily water usage for crops: 4 gallons
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: None
Water in Blue Tank (200 gallon capacity): __176.5__ gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops: 4:55 pm
Changes to crops: None
Narrative: I removed the cardboard that I covered the peas with yesterday, as I noticed it was introducing a tiny amount of mold into the soil. I removed it immediately, will observe tomorrow as well. Two of the cucumber plants have yellowing leaves and one has a stalk that does not look particularly healthy. There are also three tomato plants that are drooping more than I would like. I just heard back from an ecology expert, and I will attempt to let the soil on both dry out and see if that improves the plants.
Harvest: No harvest today.
Support/supplies needed: None.
EVA Report – December 13th
EVA # 3
Author: Riley McGlasson
Purpose of EVA: EVA to obtain radar transects of two flat areas and assess hydration content paired with geologic characterization and sampling.
Start time: 1100
End time: 1530
Narrative: EVA began at 1100 led by Hunter and Riley (out of sim due to broken leg) and joined by Ryan and Jillian. The crew took Perseverance and Curiosity rovers south on Cow Dung Road. Perseverance started with 100% charge and 279.4 hours. Curiosity started with 100% charge and 260.9 hours. The crew drove south until the rovers hit 55% charge just shy of Watney Road, where they unloaded equipment and walked northeast to the river bed at the Watney Road turnoff. There they set up a small training area where Hunter and Riley tested out GPR and sampling protocols with Ryan and Jillian. Then the crew set a larger 3D GPR acquisition grid that covered the riverbed and the abutting bank, as well as collected spectra and samples from areas of geological variability. At ~1315 the team loaded equipment back in the rovers and drove back towards the HAB, stopping at Kissing Camel Ridge on the way back. There, Hunter led the gathering of spectra and samples at 4 geological sites on the north side of the east camel. Follow up 2D GPR transects were collected from the 3 accessible sample sites. The team made it back to the HAB with Perseverance at 37% charge and 279.9 hours and Curiosity at 40% and 261.5 hours. They began the reentry process for the HAB at 1520.
Destination: Aonia Terra, Kissing Camel Ridge
Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): N520500, E4248500
Participants: Riley McGlasson (Executive Officer), Jilian Welshoff (Health and Safety Officer), Ryan DeAngelis (Green Hab Officer), Hunter Vannier (Crew Geologist)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Drive on Cow Dung Road and park at intersection with Watney. Then walk northeast ¾ km or less. On return, will stop at Kissing Camel and conduct second set of measurements along the northern base of Kissing Camel Ridge E within ¾ km of road.
Mode of travel: driving and walking (Perseverance and Curiosity)
Astronomy Report – December 13th
[category
astronomy-report]
Name: Cesare Guariniello
Crew: 288
Date: 13 Dec 2023
MDRS ROBOTIC OBSERVATORY
Robotic Telescope Requested (choose one): cloudy weather at MDRS. Will check MLC.
Objects to be Imaged this Evening: cloudy weather, working on imagery from previous night
Images submitted with this report: M31 (Andromeda Galaxy) imaged with MDRS-WF. 40 captures of 30 seconds each in R, G, B, and Lum.
Problems Encountered: None, but M31 captures with the MLC telescope were flat
MUSK OBSERVATORY
Solar Features Observed: None
Images submitted with this report: None
Problems Encountered:
Telescope had wrong home location: fixed. Now the home location is the same as the switch location (aligned with the pier, facing North).
Telescope seem to have been abused a little:
The whole section with the prominence tuning knob was loose and “rotating”. Tightened.
Prominence tuning knob was unscrewed almost entirely (one inch of the golden part showing).
Blocking filter/diagonal pushed too far inside, with the silver line invisible. Pulled out and put in proper order.
Eyepiece thumb screws insanely tight. Never happened before. We tried to unscrew one of them with pliers and it snapped before it began unscrewing (photo attached) which, according to the crew engineer, can happen only if it is bound at the collar. This means that someone tried to screw it very hardly, so that it became embedded in the collar. We can try to remove the remaining piece, but it will likely require drilling. The other screw was holding enough that I used the eyepiece and the CCD, but ONLY with the diagonal pointing up, for safety.
On closing the dome, the bottom shutter did not close. We troubleshot with the Program Director, tried various batteries, tested the wires, until attaching a battery directly to the motor. The fuse works, other connections work, the top shutter works. After excluding everything else, we think it is the motor. Since it is raining, we uncoupled the ball screw from the motor, closed the bottom shutter manually and secured it with ropes. We will run more troubleshooting tomorrow.
Crew Photos – December 12th
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