Crew 306 GreenHab Report 28Dec2024
GreenHab Officer: Adriana Sanchez
Environmental control (fan & heater): Heater and fan on automatic at 94 and off at 82
Average temperatures (last 24h): 81.95
Maximum temperature (last 24h): 94.8
Minimum temperature (last 24h): 69.1
Hours of supplemental light: 1700 – 2200
Daily water usage for crops: 4 gallon
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: None
Water in Blue Tank (200-gallon capacity): 153.74 gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops: 10:40am, 6:10pm
Changes to crops: Cleared one pot of Arugula for Pea Shoots
Narrative: Sunflower two is getting ready to bloom! I harvested two cucumbers for snacking and some chinese rose radish to clear some space in the pot. We have 7 tomatoes coming in. I replanted 10 pea plants into one pot in the arugula. I am going to figure out how to set up a climbing net for the peas.
Harvest: 144g of Cucumber, 186g Chinese Rose Radish
Support/supplies needed: None
Sol Summary – December 28th
Crew 306 Sol Summary Report 28-12-2024
Sol: 06
Summary Title: Half-way there.
Author’s name: Jesus Meza
Mission Status: Active. All systems are nominal.
Sol Activity Summary:
The morning started at 07:00 with a “free-range” breakfast where everyone picked whatever they wanted. Most people had cereal or oats… but one crew member had chocolate chip cookies… and another had a can of tuna. At 09:00 the crew observed our morning meditation and stretching session. At 09:30 preparations started for EVA 07 to Eos Chasm. Jesus, Ryan, and Keegan made up the EVA team while Elizabeth ran coms. The EVA team departed the HAB at 10:00 and drove Perseverance and Opportunity north along cow dung road, stopping at the stream beds east of Eos Casma. The team then followed the streams to the entrance of the chasm and walked more than half-way of the way to the end where the chasm meets the Riverbed. Soil samples and rocks were collected along the way to analyze their iron content for the in-situ photo-voltaic project. Meanwhile at the HAB, Rod and Adriana stayed behind to work on their research and tend to the station. Rod ran a mid-mission inventory on our food stock. Despite our constant bread addiction, it appears we have plenty of food to last the rest of the mission. The EVA team returned to the HAB at around 13:46. Rod and Adriana prepared a delicious Brazilian Stroganoff for lunch. At 15:00 the crew then split off to rest and do research. Rod went to seek inspiration in the science dome. While Keegan and Elizabeth set up a competitive game of chess in the GreenHAB. In the late evening the crew completed their second team puzzle task for Ryan’s human factors research. Some of us love the puzzle… some of us hate the puzzle… but we are all obsessed with the puzzle. The team then finished off the day with mid-mission research reports.
Look Ahead Plan:
Keegan will lead Rod and Elizabeth back to Eos Chasma on EVA 08. The EVA team will perform EMF measurements of the area and perform Li-DAR scans of the riverbed. At the HAB, Adriana will continue to tend to her mushrooms and monitor her newly made CO2 chambers; Jesus will attempt to make his first Martian solar cell using hematite collected from HAB ridge; and Ryan will run coms for the EVA team.
Anomalies in work: None.
Weather: Skys were clear with morning temperatures near 32 degrees F. The day warmed significantly with a high of 50 degrees F.
Crew Physical Status: Crew is happy and well.
EVA:
Jesus, Keegan, and Ryan completed EVA 07 to Eos Chasma. The objectives of this EVA were to collect samples from the riverbed to analyze their iron content, and to scout for launch sites for DRONE Li-DAR scans. A few potential hematite samples were collected from the riverbed, as well as two soil samples for iron extraction. The soil samples were collected from two spots, one at the entrance and one near the middle of the chasma. The team also found several spots within the chasm that can serve as DRONE launch sites. The launch sites were marked on the map and will be the target sites for EVA 08. Although we did not reach the end of the Eos Chasma, all objectives of EVA 07 were met.
Reports to be filed:
Sol Summary, Journalist Report, Greenhab Report, Operations Report, Crew Photos, EVA Report. EVA request. Mid-Mission Report.
Support Requested: None.
EVA Report – December 28th
Crew 306 EVA Report 28-12-2024
EVA # 07
Author: Ryan Villarreal
Purpose of EVA: Search for iron in the Eos Chasma for Crew Commander Jesus Meza’s project, as well as scout potential drone launch sites for EVA #08 on 29/12/2024.
Start time: 10:00
End time: 13:46
Narrative: The EVA Crew stepped into the airlock at exactly 10:00 and proceeded to drive Perseverance and Opportunity North along Cow Dung Road until reaching the starting location just north of Cowboy Corner. The crew dismounted the rovers and began traversing through the long and winding ravine for approximately 2.5 miles. During this trek, the crew continuously scanned for potential iron-containing rocks along the waterway and marked coordinates of feasible drone launch locations to be used in EVA #08. The crew managed to hike 3/4 of the way to the destination before turning around due to time constraints. The crew returned to the parked rovers and drove back to MDRS, arriving prior to the requested time. From this EVA, multiple drone sites were marked for EVA #08. Further, 10 hematite-type samples were collected for evaluation back at the science dome to determine the feasibility of extracting iron from the iron oxide within them, and soil samples from the rich riverbed were collected to extract raw iron.
Destination: Eos Chasma at (521750E, 4256000N), however, turned around at (520712E, 4255411N) due to time.
Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): Rovers were parked at (518250E, 4253750N), and the crew hiked to (520712E, 4255411N) before turning around due to time constraints.
Participants: Crew Commander Jesus Meza, Crew Engineer Keegan Chavez, and Health and Safety Officer Ryan Villarreal
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road taken North past Cowboy Corner. Rovers were parked on the road at (518250E, 4253750N) and the crew proceeded on foot Northeast through a riverbed to the chasma at (519500, 4254000).
Mode of travel: Rovers along Cow Dung Road from the MDRS campus until disembarking at (518250E, 4253750N) and proceeding on foot.
Journalist Report – December 27th
A Three-Dimensional Future in Space
“Don’t ask for a lighter load, ask for a stronger back.”
Yesterday, we talked about the motivation behind climbing the highest mountain. From a personal perspective, climbing the mountain of Mars colonization might be a valuable endeavor for us from Crew Montes, however exploring space is more often than not dealt with public criticism. Why take the risk? And why spend millions of taxpayer dollars in space exploration? My favorite response to that is a short story from astronaut Soichi Noguchi:
I want you to imagine that you are an ant, and you are following a line on the ground. First, imagine that you are a one-dimensional ant who can only walk forward and backward on the line. Now, imagine that I put a stone there. Then, even if the one-dimensional ant wants to go forward, the one-dimensional ant can’t go forward because of the pebble. In other words, it’s the end of their world.
Then a 2D ant, who can go forward, backward, left and right, comes along. "No, you can’t go out", the one-dimensional ant tells them.
"Who decided that?" 2D ant looks at the pebble and says, "Just go sideways, it’s fine, see?" And the 2D Ant is able to go beyond the pebble and continue on. As he continues to walk, he comes across a stone wall. The ant is in trouble again. No matter how far he goes, forward, backward, left and right, he can’t get to the other side of the wall. For the 2D ant, it’s the end of their world. He doesn’t know what to do. Now, a 3D ant who can go forward, backward, left and right, and up and down arrives. Then 3D-ant looks at the wall and says, "No, that’s fine." Then the 3D-ant can overcome the walls that are connected horizontally and proceed to a new world.
On Sol 5, our crew explored the second and third dimensions in multiple ways. During our EVA today, Genie, Spy and I set out to Skyline Ridge, for all purposes an infinite wall of over 1,000 ft blocking our way forward. After a strenuous hike under a load that pounded our shoulders like ground beef, we arrived at Skyline Ridge’s intimidating beauty ready to face up. We successfully launched our DRONE to the third-dimension multiple times, allowing us to remotely explore the badlands covering its base to collect LIDAR measurements on its terrain. Spy also tested a remote hotspot connection to the DRONE that allowed us to collect data from the Raspberry Pi using our phones, making the process much more streamlined within the context of an EVA. This remarkable spot also graced us with rich data in its depths, where Genie explored the underworld’s magnetic properties by digging her instruments for data collection. This new understanding of the magnetic properties of soil can be used to counteract the effect of solar storms, for example, on the electrical grid of not only Mars, but also on Earth.
In the meantime, Messiah, Mr. Fix and Murph crafted their own version of the layers of Skyline Ridge by cooking a Montes Casserole that would leave any geologist digging for more. Murph also continued to explore the depths of the third dimension by optimizing the growth of mushrooms that thrive in the underground. This experiment promises to change the way we recycle materials in space and on Earth using the Mycoponics technology developed by her lab at Purdue.
After lunch, Messiah worked on the samples we collected from Skyline Ridge towards extracting iron and hematite content from the metal-rich soil. Our EVA led us to an astounding 100 grams of hematite, which can be refined together with the iron towards the creation of a 2D thin-film of semiconducting material. The final goal of this research is to prove the use of in-situ resources in solar panels, which are a clean source of energy that has been revolutionizing the way we obtain electricity.
Going back to Noguchi’s story, the moral is very simple. Going to the third dimension and achieving a different perspective, such as looking from above or below, allows us to come up with new solutions. Going into space doesn’t just mean going to a distant planet, but it also means we can look at the problems we’re currently facing on Earth from a new perspective and solve them. Hopefully, what we are doing here as Crew Montes will be remembered and used in the future for all mankind, in space and on Earth.
Hermit out.
Crew Photos – December 27th
Sol Summary – December 27th
Crew 306 Sol Summary Report 27-12-2024
Sol: 05
Summary Title: Shower Day!
Author’s name: Jesus Meza
Mission Status: Active. All systems are nominal.
Sol Activity Summary:
The crew woke up at 07:00. At 08:00 we had cereal for breakfast and a quick stretching session before EVA prep at 09:00. EVA 06 to Skyline Rim was scheduled for 09:30 so that the EVA team could make it in time to catch low winds for DRONE flights, as higher winds were expected in the afternoon. Elizabeth led Rod and Ryan on the EVA Team. While Jesus and Keegan ran coms. The EVA team had time to perform five flights in the Amazonis Planitia. Elizabeth collected EMF of the area and collected two soil samples from the base of HAB ridge for Jesus to analyze at the HAB. The EVA team made it back to HAB at 13:00. For lunch, the HAB team made a mac-and-cheese casserole with a side of crispy potatoes. The crew then split off for research and work tasks. Adriana harvested some over-ripe arugula and herbs to make a pesto. Ryan worked on getting everyone through VR test. Jesus worked on processing samples collected on EVA 5 and EVA 6 in the science dome. The crew took showers throughout the day and is now happy and clean.
Look Ahead Plan:
Jesus, Keegan, and Ryan will head to Eos Chasma on EVA 07 to analyze the Iron content of the soil and look for hematite. Meanwhile the HAB team will take turns providing coms while working on their research and mid-mission report.
Anomalies in work: None.
Weather: Morning was cloudy and cold with temperatures around 32 degrees F. The temperature increased to 48 degrees F by midday. Skies remained cloudy for most of the day with light rain at approximately 17:00.
Crew Physical Status: Crew is happy and clean.
EVA:
Elizabeth, Rod, and Ryan completed EVA 06 to Skyline Rim. The team performed 5 DORNE flights and took Li-DAR scans of the Amazonis Planitia. Elizabeth was able to collect two soil samples from the base of the rim and took ambient magnetic data of the area. All objectives of EVA 06 were met.
Reports to be filed:
Sol Summary, Journalist Report, Greenhab Report, Operations Report, Crew Photos, EVA Report. EVA request.
Support Requested: None.
Operations Report – December 27th
Crew 306 Operations Report 27-12-2024
SOL: 05
Name of person filing report: Keegan Chavez
Non-nominal systems: None
Notes on non-nominal systems: None
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: (before EVA):
Beginning charge: (Before EVA):
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging):
Currently Charging: Yes
Curiosity rover used: No
Hours: (before EVA):
Beginning charge: (Before EVA):
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging):
Currently Charging: Yes
Perseverance rover used: No
Hours: (before EVA):
Beginning charge: (Before EVA):
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging):
Currently Charging: Yes
General notes on rovers: None
Summary of Hab operations: crew performed VR cognitive tests under supervision of HSO, shower day!
Water Use (please use both methods to estimate water usage)
Time of measurements: 12/26/2024 1700 – 12/27/2024 1700
1) Per formula: 42.4775 gal
2) Smart Home Dashboard: 46.7 gal
Water (static tank, remaining gallons): 337.6125 gal (per formula)
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On
Static tank heater (on or off): On
Toilet tank emptied (no or yes): yes
Summary of internet: nominal internet usage
Summary of suits and radios: suits 1,4,6 were used for EVA, radios were all operational and are fully charged
Summary of GreenHab operations: GreenHab Officer: pruned cucumber leaves, removed tomatoes side shoots, watered plants and floor to increase humidity, harvested arugula and basil; Commander: took water to Science Dome to wash rocks
WATER USE: 4.26 gal
Heater (On or Off): On, automatic
Supplemental light (hours of operation): 1700 – 2200
Harvest (name, weight in grams): Arugula 189g, Basil 24g
Summary of Science Dome operations: GreenHab Officer: sealed leaks in mushroom feeding apparatus, cleaned mushrooms under fume hood using hydrogen peroxide, began sealing CO2 containers to attaching tubes and silicon epoxy; Commander: analyzed rock and dirt samples from EVA 06, processed samples from EVA 05 using water, rock hammer and mortar and pestle
Dual split (Heat or AC, On or Off): On, automatic
Summary of RAM operations: GreenHab Officer: moved clamp to Science Dome, clamp was returned; Commander: moved rock hammer to Science Dome to grind rock samples
Summary of any observatory issues: No issues.
Summary of health and safety issues: GreenHab Officer: used 1 disposable face mask to use during mushroom handling in Science Dome
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: none
Crew Photos – December 30th
Sol Summary – December 30th
Crew 306 Sol Summary Report 30-12-2024
Sol: 08
Summary Title: Search
Author’s name: Jesus Meza
Mission Status: Active. All systems are nominal.
Sol Activity Summary:
The morning started at 07:00 with another free-range breakfast. Nothing weird this time, just peanut butter sandwiches or oats. At 09:00 we began stretching, and at 09:15 we began EVA prep. Elizabeth led EVA 08 along with Adriana and Jesus back to Eos chasma for a search and rescue of her phone and EMF measurements. At the HAB, Rod ran coms for the EVA team while Keegan and Ryan recovered from their own trip to Eos yesterday. The EVA team headed straight for to the end of Eos following the tracks left behind by the team on EVA 07. Along the way they stopped to search around DRONE sites for the missing equipment, and Jesus searched for new hematite samples. Adriana was just happy for the walk as her work in the greenhab and with her mushrooms keeps her at the HAB for consecutive sols. The phone was found near the mouth of Eos… and Jesus and Adriana got to witness the majestic site of a green mars. The EVA team made it back to the HAB at 14:13. Ryan and Keegan had prepared a succulent meal of cheddar vegetable soup with cous-cous. The afternoon was slow, with the EVA team recovering from the long trek to Eos. The team is happy to have concurred the chasma… but I don’t think any of us want to go back any time soon. For dinner we are having black bean burgers. I think we are on out tenth loaf of bread? We lost count after we baked two loafs yesterday for the tuna melts.
Look Ahead Plan:
Keegan will lead Ryan and Rod south down cow-dung road to take DRONE scans around Barrainca Bute and White Rock Canyon. The rest of the team will recover from our trip to EOS and continue research at the HAB. Jesus has many samples to extract iron from and will attempt to reproduce the solar cell results from Sol 7.
Anomalies in work: None.
Weather: Skys were clear with abnormally warm temperatures in the morning approximating 40 degrees F. The high temperature was 50 degrees F. The day has been rather windy, with average winds of 15 mph, and gust up to 25 mph.
Crew Physical Status: One crew member has a blister on their toe from today’s EVA. We will make sure they rest before going on their next EVA.
EVA:
Elizabeth, Adriana, and Jesus went back to Eos Chasma for EMF measurements, search for hematite samples, and to search for a missing phone. No new hematite samples were found, but areas that had previously been un-explored were covered more thoroughly. The phone was found at the end of the chasma. Only two of the EVA objectives were met, 1 finding the phone, and 2 searching for hematite. No EMF data was collected due to time constraints.
Reports to be filed:
Sol Summary, Journalist Report, Greenhab Report, Operations Report, Crew Photos, HSO report, EVA Report, and EVA request.
Support Requested: We would like special permission to connect to the permanent wifi to watch the new-years countdown tomorrow outside of coms.
Operations Report – December 30th
Crew 306 Operations Report 30-12-2024
SOL: 08
Name of person filing report: Keegan Chavez
Non-nominal systems: Septic tank overflow sensor
Notes on non-nominal systems: Around 22:00 on Sol 07 the overflow sensor went off while the tank fill sensor indicated a level of only ¾ full, the tank was emptied but the overflow sensor continued to stay on, the battery from the overflow sensor was removed, around 11:00 on Sol 08 the battery was re-attached and the alarm has not sounded, currently the sensor is working properly
ROVERS
Spirit rover used: Yes
Hours: (before EVA): 260.2
Beginning charge: (Before EVA): 100
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): 73
Currently Charging: Yes
Opportunity rover used: No
Hours: (before EVA):
Beginning charge: (Before EVA):
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging):
Currently Charging: Yes
Curiosity rover used: No
Hours: (before EVA):
Beginning charge: (Before EVA):
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging):
Currently Charging: Yes
Perseverance rover used: Yes
Hours: (before EVA): 298.8
Beginning charge: (Before EVA): 100
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): 88
Currently Charging: Yes
General notes on rovers: none
Summary of Hab operations: Operations were nominal
Water Use (please use both methods to estimate water usage)
Time of measurements: 12/28/2024 1700 – 12/29/2024 1700
1) Per formula: 26.14 gal
2) Smart Home Dashboard: 29.44 gal
Water (static tank, remaining gallons): 255.925 gal (per formula)
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On
Static tank heater (on or off): On
Toilet tank emptied (no or yes): yes
Summary of internet: nominal internet usage
Summary of suits and radios: suits 3,4,5 were used for EVA, radios were all operational and are fully charged
Summary of GreenHab operations: GreenHab Officer: watered plants, 1 pea pod has died, prepared potting plants for sunflowers, added tomato cages to tomato plants, harvested cucumbers, cilantro and dill
WATER USE: 7 gal
Heater (On or Off): On, automatic
Supplemental light (hours of operation): 1700 – 2200
Harvest (name, weight in grams): cucumbers: 310g, cilantro: 10g, dill: 10g
Summary of Science Dome operations: GreenHab Officer: fed mushrooms, took temp measurement of mushrooms, took images of mushrooms, refilled humidifier from spicket in tunnels
Dual split (Heat or AC, On or Off): On, automatic
Summary of RAM operations: Commander: none
Summary of any observatory issues: No issues
Summary of health and safety issues: Geologist developed a blister on their foot during EVA 08, HSO treated blister with band-aids; power cable leading from GreenHab to outside of tunnel system could be a safety concern if it gets caught under the door frame, no actions have been taken at this time
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support:
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