Month: February 2025

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Operations Report – February 5th

Crew 310 Operations Report 05-02-2025

SOL: 3

Name of person filing report: Helena Arias

Non-nominal systems:

Robotic Observatory

Hab secondary structure

Notes on non-nominal systems: Maintenance of the observatory planned for June. The cause of the thermal system failure has been detected: there are air leaks in the upper deck of the Hab. Guidance has been requested from mission support. There was permission for covering the scratches with temporary patches but not foam or other fix solutions. The solution will be evaluated tonight.

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: no

Hours: –

Beginning charge: –

Ending charge: –

Currently charging: yes

Opportunity rover used: no

Hours: –

Beginning charge: –

Ending charge: –

Currently charging: yes

Curiosity rover used: yes

Hours: 302,1

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 75 %

Currently charging: yes

Perseverance rover used: yes

Hours: 292,8

Beginning charge: 100 %

Ending charge: 77 %

Currently charging: yes

General notes on rovers: last check made on SOL 3 (18:58 PM).

Summary of Hab operations: Sport, meals, EVA preparation and 3d printing activities have been made as usual. The crew has been eating a special meal today. Arias has also been working on temporary solutions for the leaks.

Water Use (please use both methods to estimate water usage)

Time of measurements (collect data for the same time window): 7:00 pm
1) Per formula (see notes): 32.675 gal.
2) Smart Home Dashboard (see notes): 33.04 gal.

Water (static tank, remaining gallons): 416.686 gal.

Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On

Static tank heater (on or off): On

Toilet tank emptied (no or yes): No

Summary of internet: used from 7:00 am to 8:00 am and from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm for personal communication and reports.

Summary of suits and radios:

Suits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10

Radios: nominal

All radio and spacesuit batteries checked before EVA: Yes. All nominal.

Summary of GreenHab operations: plants were watered twice (morning and evening) and some plants were harvested.

WATER USE: 7 gallons

Heater (On or Off): On

Supplemental light (hours of operation): 3

Harvest (name, weight in grams):

14 g rucola

1 beet

1 carrot

61 g radish (3 units)

Summary of Science Dome operations: Marina Martínez, Estel Blay and Ariadna Farres have been working on their experiments.

Dual split: Off

Summary of RAM operations: Monica Roca and Helena Arias have been working on the reflector. RAM was also used as an airlock for the first EVA of the day.

Summary of any observatory issues:

Robotic observatory: Not working. Maintenance planned for June.

Summary of health and safety issues: none

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: Guidance has been requested in order to assess the air leakage. An EVA will be requested in the next few days to observe the damage from the outside of the structure.

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GreenHab Report – February 5th

Crew 310 GreenHab Report 05-02-2025

GreenHab Officer: Dr. Marina Martínez

Environmental control (fan & heater): Heater 24h

Average temperatures (last 24h): 82.5 ºF

Maximum temperature (last 24h): 94.8 ºF

Minimum temperature (last 24h): 70.3 ºF

Hours of supplemental light: 3 hours

Daily water usage for crops: 7 gallons total

Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 75 ml

Water in Blue Tank (200 gallon capacity): 171 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops: 8 am, 8pm

Changes to crops: none

Narrative: General watering of plants and crops was done today. We enjoyed a sunny day today with warm weather. The door remained closed all day and the supplementary light from 5pm to 8pm. The plants have been watered twice, once in the morning and once in the evening. In the evening, I harvested some rucola and checked the carrots and the beats. They are growing and about to be ready.

Harvest: (include which crop and mass in grams):

· 14 g rucola

· 1 beet

· 1 carrot

· 61 g radish (3 units)

Support/supplies needed: none

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Sol Summary – February 5th

Crew 310 Sol Summary Report 05-02-2025

Sol: 3

Summary Title: Enjoying the SpaceTatouille cuisine

Author’s name: Ariadna Farres, Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

The morning started with an early and challenging EVA, the goal was to finish the installation of the corner reflector. The EVA team was composed by Ariadna Farres (Commander), Monica Roca i Aparici (Mission Specialist), Helena Arias (Engineer) and Marta Ferrer (Filmmaker). During the first part of the EVA they managed to detect the parts where to install the pegs for the guy wires to stabilize the reflector. The wires were too long and they decided they would resize them later. They then proceed to move the three reflecting mirrors, from the RAM to the patch where the corner reflector is being installed. Putting them all together was a challenge, but they managed to do that successfully. The final piece was to install the GNSS antenna in the middle of the corner reflector. Around 12:00 pm the crew returned to the house.

The crew that stayed inside the main hab, did their daily 30 min routine and worked on their respective research projects.

The afternoon EVA was led by Marina Matinez (Geologist) who went on a geological field trip to Valles Marineris. Anna Back (resident artist) and Estel Blay (Health and Safety Officer) joined Marina on this EVA. Jennifer Garcia (Journalist) was supposed to join them, but she was feeling tired and stayed in the main Hab. Marina managed to collect a lot of samples that she will start analysing tomorrow.

Today was also a very special day for the crew, since they enjoyed the meal designed by the winners of the International Challenge organized by Space Faculty from Singapore. The winners were SpaceTatouille, a group of four amazing kids, ages 8 to 9. They created a complete menu designed for astronauts, including breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, tailored to meet the astronauts’ nutritional needs. The meal was prepared in the US, dehydrated and shipped to the MDRS two weeks ago. This has been a fun experience and we have enjoyed a little of Singapore for lunch.

The crew ended the day planning tomorrow’s EVAs and doing their daily reports. They are looking forward to finishing them soon to be able to enjoy a beef stew and delicious dehydrated spaghetti with meatballs from the SpaceTatouille menu.

Look Ahead Plan: The crew is looking forward to completing the large-scale art project designed by Anna Bach, the artist in residence.

Anomalies in work: Several air leaks on the upper deck have been detected, creating a cold environment in the loft area.

Weather: Sunny and windy, Temperature 29F / 69F

Crew Physical Status: Nominal

EVA: Crew 310 conducted two EVAs. The goal of the morning EVA was to finish installing the corner reflector, the installation is almost complete, it is only missing the guy wire. The main goal of the afternoon EVA was to collect geological samples around Valles Marineris.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA request #7 #8, EVA Report #5 #6, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Pictures of the Day.

Support Requested: Guidance to find a temporary fix for the air leaks detected in the upper deck loft.

Ariadna Farres Crew Commander

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EVA Report – February 5th

Crew 310 EVA 06 Report 05Feb2025

EVA # 06

Author: Dr. Marina Martínez (Geologist and GreenHab Officer)

Purpose of EVA:

  • Collect geologic samples (Marina Martínez, Geologist and GreenHab Officer).
  • Explore the Valles Marineris area (Marina Martínez, Geologist and GreenHab Officer).
  • Take pictures and make drawings of landscapes and rock formations to better document the children’s book’s illustrations (Anna Bach, Artist and Executive Officer).
  • Download sensor data for solar power (Estel Blay, Health and Safety Officer).
  • Around the base: Take pictures for future optical analyses of the hotspots of the structural solar panel experiment (Estel Blay, Health and Safety Officer).

Start time: 14:15

End time: 16:45

Narrative:
Though our EVA request detailed 4 crew members, one of our crew members decided to stay in the HAB because she was feeling tired and preferred to rest. This was cleared with Mission Support beforehand, and approved. We took the Perseverance and Curiosity and drove the main road to the north direction (Cow Dung Corner 0110) until we found the intersection with Brahe Hwy 1572. We parked there and explored the area over a radius of 300 meters approximately in the west direction.

Due to a failure in the batteries of the Vanta X-ray Fluorescence analyzer, we were not able to test the instrument during the EVA. Therefore, we brought regular geologic tools, such as a hammer, a small shovel to collect soil, a magnet, a scale, and other tools. We collected a variety of lithologies that will be analyzed tomorrow in the science dome using the two instruments that are installed over there, the Vanta and the Spectroscout.

Destination:

  • 300 meters W Valles Marineris
  • 20 meters E the HAB

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 4255000 E, 519000 N

Participants: Marina Martínez (Geologist and Greenhab Officer), Anna Bach (Executive Officer), Estel Blay (Health and Safety Officer).

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: We drove Curiosity and Perseverance north the Cow Dung Road, up to the intersection with Brahe Hwy 1572. We parked there and walked around the west of the area, in a 300 meters radius.

Once back to the Base, Estel Blay walked south the HAB where the solar panels are located (20 meters E).

Mode of travel:
We used the rovers Perseverance (Marina Martínez and Estel Blay) and Curiosity (with Anna Back). We walked around Valles Marineris and the Base.

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EVA Report – February 5th

Crew 310 EVA Report 05-02-2025

EVA # 05

Author: Mònica Roca i Aparici

Purpose of EVA: Installing and fixing the Corner Reflector plates on the already installed structure. Install the GNSS antenna centred within the reflector and connected to the coaxial cable set on EVA # 02.

Start time: 08:15

End time: 12:00

Narrative:
We exited the base from the RAM and walked slowly uphill to the concrete patch, with the Corner Reflector plates. It was very windy so we began checking the structure, bolts and screws that we installed yesterday. We fixed one extra bolt and proceeded to prepare the tensors that will be attached to the plates ensuring its robustness.
Then we proceed assembling the plates upside down to finally mount the reflector on top of the structure mounted yesterday.
Later we fixed the tension pegs to the ground.
While we were working on the tensor pegs, Helena went to take pictures of the solar panel experiment located east of the observatory.
Finally we mounted the GNSS antenna, attached to a stick, on the corner reflector vertex, to measure its position. And we connected it to the coaxial cable that we set on EVA # 02.
Then the four of us entered the RAM. Overall, the EVA was a success and the reflector will likely be finished in the next EVA.

Destination: 20 meters NW the HAB

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 5185000 E, 4252000 N

Participants: 4: Mònica Roca i Aparici (Mission Specialist) (EVA Leader), Helena Arias (Engineer), Ari Farrés (Commander), Marta Farrer (Documentary Filmmaker).

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Walk up the little hill behind the HAB (20 meters NW).

Mode of travel: walking.

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Journalist Report – February 5th

Crew 310 Journalist Report 05Feb2025
Author: Jennifer García Carrizo, Crew Journalist

The crew begins a new day on Mars, but today is extra special! For the next 24 hours, they will enjoy a meal designed by the winners of the International Space Challenge organized by Space Faculty of Singapore—a group of four incredible kids, aged 8 to 9! These young innovators, known as Team SpaceTatouille, created a complete menu—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks—tailored to meet astronauts’ calorie and nutritional needs. Commander Ariadna Farrés prepared the recipes in the U.S. and sent them to the MDRS, where today, the crew finally got to enjoy them!
But food wasn’t the only highlight of the day! In the morning, the two engineers -Helena Arias and Mònica Roca I Aparici- and the commander -Ariadna Farrés- headed out to assemble the central part of the reflector—three massive aluminum pieces that took almost four hours to securely install on the legs they had set up the day before.
Meanwhile, journalist Jenifer García Carrizo created sustainable content about the composter we are using in the MDRS, while geologist Marina Martínez and scientist Estel Blay prepared instruments for the afternoon’s geological excursion.
In the afternoon, the geologist -Marina Martínez-, scientist -Estel Blay-, and artist-in-residence -Anna Bach- embarked on an extravehicular activity to collect samples from Valles Marineris for in-house analysis. Anna captured images to recreate the breathtaking Martian landscape faithfully and even started sketching some initial drawings. Meanwhile, Estel Blay accessed the first data from the newly installed solar panels, took images of the structural experiment’s solar panel, and continued analyzing the heat distribution in the new designs.
Stay tuned—tomorrow promises another exciting day!

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Operations Report – February 4th

Crew 310 Operations Report 04-02-2025

SOL: 2

Name of person filing report: Helena Arias

Non-nominal systems:

Robotic Observatory

Notes on non-nominal systems: The hypothesis about the thermal issues in the loft upper deck is that there is a cold air gust when the heater turns off. Thermostat temperature in SOL 1 was set to 70ºF. Thermostat temperature today was set to 75ºF and it felt hotter in the loft but uncomfortable in the dorms. Heater will be set to 74ºF tonight.

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: yes

Hours: 263.5

Beginning charge: 100 %

Ending charge: 77 %

Currently charging: no

Opportunity rover used: yes

Hours: 202.6

Beginning charge: 100 %

Ending charge: 70 %

Currently charging: yes

Curiosity rover used: no

Hours: –

Beginning charge: –

Ending charge: –

Currently charging: yes

Perseverance rover used: no

Hours: –

Beginning charge: –

Ending charge: –

Currently charging: yes

General notes on rovers: last check made on SOL 2 (18:38 PM).

Summary of Hab operations: Sport, meals, EVA and 3d printing activities have been made as usual.

Water Use (please use both methods to estimate water usage)

Time of measurements (collect data for the same time window): 7:00 pm
1) Per formula (see notes): 22.22 gal.
2) Smart Home Dashboard (see notes): 21.34 gal.

Water (static tank, remaining gallons): 449.361 gal.

Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On

Static tank heater (on or off): On

Toilet tank emptied (no or yes): No

Summary of internet: used from 19:00 to 21:00 for personal communication and reports.

Summary of suits and radios:

Suits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Radios: nominal

All radio and spacesuit batteries checked before EVA: Yes. All nominal.

NOTES: LilyGo unit found in the first EVA of the day.

Summary of GreenHab operations: plants were watered twice (morning and evening) and some plants were harvested.

WATER USE: 6 gallons

Heater (On or Off): On

Supplemental light (hours of operation): 3

Harvest (name, weight in grams):

14 g basil

45 g rucola

10 g cherry tomatoes

63 g radish

Summary of Science Dome operations: Marina Martínez, Estel Blay and Ariadna Farres have been working on their experiments.

Dual split: Off

Summary of RAM operations: Monica Roca and Helena Arias have been working on the reflector. RAM was also used as an airlock for the second EVA of the day. A crew member hit her back in the RAM. Cold was applied. She feels well but is still under observation.

Summary of any observatory issues:

Robotic observatory: Not working. Maintenance planned for June.

Summary of health and safety issues: A crew member hit her back in the RAM. Cold was applied. She feels well but is still under observation.

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: none

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Sol Summary – February 4th

Crew 310 Sol Summary Report 04-02-2025

Sol: 2

Summary Title: Hypatia II on a rescue mission

Author’s name: Ariadna Farres, Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary: The crew woke up early and performed their daily 30-minute exercise routines in the bottom deck and had breakfast all together between 8:00 am to 8:45 am.

The first EVA was led by Ariadna Farres (Commander), and supported by Marina Martinez (Greenhab officer), Estel Blay (Health and Safety Officer), Jennifer Garcia Carrizo (Journalist) and started at 9:20am. The first objective was to retrieve the LilyGo that was lost yesterday during an EVA. The crew drove to Compass Rock, scanned the area where it was lost and found it. Success! They then drove back to the base, Marina Martinez went back into the main hab to continue setting the geology and chemistry lab. Estel Blay and Ariadna Farres installed the solar panel experiment and Jennifer Garcia Carrizo started scanning the exterior of the base with a 360 camera, as part of her Hypatia’s Circular Odyssey project. It was very windy and hard to stabilize the camera tripod, during a wind gust one camera lens was damaged.

The team that stayed inside the main hab worked on their respective research projects. Anna Bach (Executive Officer and resident artist) worked on her children’s book. Meantime, Helena Arians (Engineer), Monica Roca i Aparici (Mission Specialist) mounted part of the reflector structure in the RAM, so that it was ready for the afternoon EVA.

After a morning of hard work, the crew enjoyed a delicious rice and veggies lunch.

The second EVA was led by Monica Roca i Aparici, and supported by Anna Bach, Helena Arias and Marta Ferrer (Filmmaker) started. The goal of this EVA was to install the structure of the corner reflector on the concrete patch that is 20 meters NW of the base. The preparation for this EVA was special since the crew left the base through the RAM. Marta Ferrer documented the whole process while Monica Roca i Aparici, Helena Arias and Anna Bach worked on the installation.

The team that stayed inside the main hab worked on their respective research projects. Estel Blay finished the setting for her outreach space tomato seed project. Marina Martinez finished setting up the geology and chemistry lab. Jennifer Garcia worked on her Hypatia’s Circular Odyssey. Ariadna Farres tried to observe the Sun from the Musk Observatory, but it was very windy and had to abort the mission to avoid damaging the dome.

Around 6:30pm the crew started planning tomorrow EVAs and working on their daily reports.

Look Ahead Plan: Crew 310 will continue with their own experiments. Tomorrow the crew plans to finish installing the plates of the corner reflector, and the crew geologist will be performing her first official field trip.

Anomalies in work: The base experienced several power cuts when the solar panels were on. Some of the power cuts started when the hair drier or microwave was turned on.

Weather: Cloudy morning and sunny afternoon. Very windy all day (wind speed around 11mph), Temperature 43F/70F

Crew Physical Status: A crew member hit her back while working in the RAM, she has a bruise and scratch on her back.

EVA: Crew 310 conducted two EVAs. During the morning EVA, they first went on a rescue mission to retrieve the LilyGo. Once it was retrieved, the EVA team installed a solar panel experiment near the base solar panels and started mapping the exterior of the base with a 360 camera. During the afternoon EVA the crew started mounting the reflector, they managed to install the corner reflector structure.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, HSO Report, EVA request #5 #6, EVA Report #3 #4, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Pictures of the Day.

Support Requested: None

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