Author: jburk

Crew 271 – Mars Society

Crew Commander: Marc Levesque (United States)

Executive Officer/Chief Scientist: Cesare Guariniello (United States/Italy)

Crew Engineer/Health and Safety Officer: Sergii Iakymov (Ukraine)

Crew Geologist: Helen Eifert (United States)

Crew Researcher: Andres Käosaar (Estonia)

Crew Biologist/Journalist/Green Hab Officer: Alicyn Grete (United States)

MDRS Crew 271 is a diverse group of individuals selected from individual applications. Three members (Levesque, Guariniello, and Iakymov) are veterans of previous MDRS missions, while three others will be MDRS rookies. The crew’s priority will be to maintain all MDRS facilities, vehicles, and equipment in a safe and operable condition and to complete the wide variety of planned projects. Below is a detailed summary of projects during the mission.

Title: Uniplanar External Fixation Training Module Evaluation

Crew member: Alicyn Grete

Objectives: Test whether MDRS crew members will be able to use the provided educational module to teach themselves a new surgical skill and to complete the training module with the simulator based entirely on the module accessed through a provided Raspberry Pi device and the material preloaded on that device.

Description: The results of this study will be used to judge the quality of the modules, not the clinical competence of the MDRS crew members. MDRS crew members will test the modules by using the training module to learn, practice, and gain competence in an unfamiliar surgical skill. For the participant, this process will include:

A. Filling out a pre-learning “Clinical Confidence Assessment” to document their pre-training level of experience with the clinical skill being trained;

B. Constructing their own simulator from the clinical skill module instructions;

C. Completing the training module with the simulator based entirely on the module accessed through a provided Raspberry Pi device and the material preloaded on that device;

D. Completing a self-administered test included in the training module to assess their readiness to perform this surgical skill; and

E. Filling out post-training assessment questionnaires.

A 3D printer, filament, personal protective equipment, gloves, surgical drill, modular external fixation hardware, training materials, supplies, and equipment will be provided for the research.

Rationale: Astronauts on deep space missions are at significant risk of sustaining fractures due to trauma and bone loss that occurs during long duration spaceflight. This research demonstrates that Martian analog crew members can use a 3D printed bone simulation models to become confident and competent in performing modular external fixation procedures in an austere environment and without access to specialist support from Mission Control.

Titles: Coping Strategies for Long-Duration Space Exploration (Study 1) and Team Challenge Resolution Mechanisms in Isolated and Confined Space Analog Mission Through Ethnographic Methods (Study 2)

Crew member: Andres Käosaar

Objectives: The purpose of both studies is to better understand the role that emotion and coping strategies have on team dynamics within Isolated, Confined, and Extreme (ICE) environments.

Description: Study 1 relies on self-reported data gathered via questionnaires, journal entries, and interviews for exploring the relationship between different coping mechanisms and team-level dynamics. Study 2 relies on in-situ observations and discussions with the crew for understanding the connections between different stressors and challenges with individual- and team-level outcomes.

Rationale: These studies explore several aspects that have not received a lot of attention in behavioral studies of ICE teams (i.e., the effect of emotion regulation and coping mechanisms on team dynamics and the influence of character of a stressor on individual and team). Understanding these mechanisms better will help to understand important aspects of human behavior for long-duration space missions.

Title: Collection of clay, shale, and hematite samples

Crew member: Cesare Guariniello

Objectives: Continue the past activity of sample collection for evaluation of potential In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) material.

Description: Continuing research from the past two years, samples will be collected to be studied in terms of mineralogy and geotechnical properties. If allowed to carry portable spectrometer, will conduct in-place reading of collected samples. Experiment designed to evaluate water content and bulk size.

Rationale: ISRU will be important to reduce the amount of material transported to Mars

EVAs required: Three to four

Title: Messier and other space objects for outreach

Crew member: Cesare Guariniello

Objectives: Continue astronomy outreach by showing the majesty of some of the most spectacular deep sky objects.

Description: This project was started before this mission and is the continuation of astronomy work from a previous mission. The goal is to observe (and later filter and color) planetary nebulas and other interest objects.

Rationale: Inspire people to become interested not only in the utility but also in the beauty of space.

EVAs: None

Title: Drying trends of a clay-rich surface

Crew member: Helen Eifert

Objectives: Supplement active research constraining the thermophysical properties and drying trends of Mars-analogous surfaces in order to better detect moisture remotely on Mars.

Description: Collection of spectral data using an ASD field spectrometer (FieldSpec4) of a designated surface that has been saturated. The spectrometer will be set up in place to capture the drying trends of a clay-rich surface over time to better understand the influence of time and composition on specific absorption features.

Rationale: Provide a clay-rich end member to existing experiments of drying trends of Mars-analogous surfaces.

EVAs: One long and two to three short ones to collect additional measurements in the following days (can be tacked on in support of other EVAs after taking the first single measurement).

Title: Station maintenance and upgrades

Crew member: Sergii Iakymov

Description: This project will undertake the following activities:

1) EVA suits inspection and testing. During this season, MDRS team have encountered some issues with power systems of the suits. An inspection will be conducted of existing wiring, switches, batteries, and chargers for a root cause analysis to resolve any issues.

2) EVA airlock timer prototype. Currently all crews use timers on personal devices for a the five minute depressurization/pressurization cycle before and after EVAs. This activity will assemble and program a timer prototype to test during the mission to determine if it is easier to use a timer in the EVA airlock and the best location for it.

3) Compatibility test for new WiFi network and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This phase will test IoT devices in the new WiFi6 network for the possibility of integration of a Smart Home system into the MDRS campus.

Title: Radio communications system maintenance

Crew member: Marc Levesque

Description: This project will conduct a maintenance check on the recently-installed MDRS radio repeater and extend the antenna mast to expand radio coverage. It will also undertake communication checks during crew EVAs to test the effectiveness of the higher antenna and monitor handheld radio battery consumption to determine the optimal recharging interval.

EVAs: Several, mostly in conjunction with other project-related EVAs.

Submitted by:

Marc Levesque

Crew 271 Commander

Crew 271 Sol Summary Report 18-12-2022

Sol: 0

Summary Title: Arrival at MDRS

Author’s name: Marc Levesque, Commander

Mission Status: Will not begin sim until all crew members on station.

Sol Activity Summary: Four crew members arrived on station and settled in. Two activities were completed in the afternoon. One was to install a mast extension for the radio repeater. A maintenance check and cleaning was also conducted on the MDRS 214 telescope.

Look Ahead Plan: Await the arrival of another crew member and the results of a second COVID test for another who remains in Grand Junction.

Anomalies in work: None

Weather: Cold and partly cloudy

Crew Physical Status: Good

EVA: None

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Operations, HSO, Mission Plan, crew bios, pictures, and patch.

Support Requested: None

Crew 271 Operations Report 18-12-2022

SOL: 0

Name of person filing report: Sergii Iakymov

Non-nominal systems: Hab toilet is not fully emptying.

Notes on non-nominal systems: Hab toilet was flashed a few times this morning by station personnel.

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: Not used

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: Yes

Opportunity rover used: Not used

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: Yes

Curiosity rover used: Not used

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: Yes

Perseverance rover used: Not used

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: No

General notes on rovers: Perseverance parked at the outpost.

Summary of Hab operations: put notes here

WATER USE: 10 gallons

Water (static tank): 540 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: Station repeater got an extended antenna 20Ft

Summary of GreenHab operations: N/A

WATER USE: N/A

Heater: On

Supplemental light: not plugged

Harvest: N/A

Summary of ScienceDome operations: Not used

Dual split: On

Summary of RAM operations: Distilled water used to clean the corrector plate in the robotic observatory.

Summary of any observatory issues: 14inch reflector had dusty corrector plate.

Summary of health and safety issues: see HSO report

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: N/A

Crew 271 Sol 1 Astronomy Report 19-12-2022

Astronomy Report

Name: Cesare Guariniello
Crew: 271
Date: 12/19/2022

NOTE
Before the beginning of the mission, on December 18th, the crew astronomer, with remote guidance from the MDRS Chief Astronomer Peter Detterline, performed maintenance of the MDRS-14 telescope. The operations consisted in tightening the mounts of the filter wheel and the camera and cleaning the corrector plate with the use of optics cloth, compressed air, and a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water.

MDRS ROBOTIC OBSERVATORY
Robotic Telescope Requested (choose one) MDRS-14

Objects to be Imaged this Evening: M2, M74, (Mars, Jupiter quick shots)

Images submitted with this report: M1 (Crab nebula), M31 (Andromeda galaxy), NGC6946 (Fireworks galaxy)

Problems Encountered: 8 images out of 10 in blue filter of M31 were very misaligned with the rest of the blue, red, and green images (these misaligned images were just discarded)

MUSK OBSERVATORY

Not used

Crew 271 Sol Summary Report 19-12-2022

Sol: 1

Summary Title: Slow, relaxing day

Author’s name: Marc Levesque, Commander

Mission Status: Will not begin sim until all crew members on station.

Sol Activity Summary: The fifth member of our crew arrived today and settled in. Observations with the MDRS 14 telescope were completed last night. Additional maintenance was completed on the newly installed mast extension of the radio repeater, and crew members explored the nearby dinosaur fossils.

Look Ahead Plan: Await the results of a second COVID test for our sixth crew member who remains in Grand Junction.

Anomalies in work: None

Weather: Cold and sunny

Crew Physical Status: Good

EVA: None

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Operations, and Astronomy.

Support Requested: None

Photos for 19-DEC-2022

Crew 271 Operations Report 19-12-2022

SOL: 1

Name of person filing report: Sergii Iakymov

Non-nominal systems: N/A

Notes on non-nominal systems: N/A

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: Not used

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: Yes

Opportunity rover used: Not used

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: Yes

Curiosity rover used: Not used

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: Yes

Perseverance rover used: Not used

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: Yes

General notes on rovers: N/A

Summary of Hab operations: put notes here

WATER USE: 42.3 gallons

Water (static tank): 497.7 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: Reflected tape added to the repeater cables for safety.

Summary of GreenHab operations:

WATER USE: ~ 10 gal

Heater: On

Supplemental light: not plugged

Harvest: N/A

Summary of ScienceDome operations: Not used

Dual split: On

Summary of RAM operations: A multimeter used for radios battery inspection.

Summary of any observatory issues: N/A

Summary of health and safety issues: Non

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: N/A

Crew 271 Journalist Report 19-12-2022

Sol: 1

Author’s name: Helen Eifert, Crew Geologist

Title: Deconstructed Pancakes

While Crew 271 awaits the status of their final crew member, our near complete crew is settling into the Hab before the official start to our simulation. Think of it like our pre-launch protection, where astronauts are isolated to ensure their health prior to launch. Of course, this particular isolation comes with some perks. Today we explored our martian environment, found some intriguing bio signatures, sampled green beans from the GreenHab, and enjoyed some puppy pets before our official “launch.”

As a Mars Desert Research Station rookie, I am discovering the joys of dehydrated food! Our crew has already started claiming containers of their favorite fruits for extra consumption. Sergii treated the crew to fruity pancakes for lunch, but they didn’t quite hold their form. We decided to rebrand the crumbles as “deconstructed pancakes” and feel that would definitely sell at a 5-star restaurant. All and all, we look forward to the start of our mission!