Daily Photos – December 30th
Journalist Report – December 30th
MDRS Crew 202
Journalist Report
Sol 1 – 12/30/2018
Name the space movie given the following quote. Answer at the end of the Report:
United States astronauts train for years. You have twelve days.
First and foremost, we would like to thank Crew 201 for their hospitality in introducing us to our new home! We had a wonderful evening with our new friends and wish them the best in their future endeavors.
Our first couple days on Mars have been filled with training. Safety, Sim, Science, Media. A few important takeaways included: EVA suits – treat your life support systems with care, Green Hab – fresh food is essential for happiness, treat them with care, Habitat – our new home is not only a place to work, but a place to live… treat it with care. After going through the initial day of training, we encountered our first crisis: The Great Nutella Crisis of Crew 202. Our commander could not initially find the Nutella jar we had been promised. What else were we going to spread on our fresh made bread? What other spread was going to provide enough energy and cheer in the morning to sustain us through the day? Thankfully, we found it. Unfortunately, it was the standard size of Nutella. A jar our six crewed team could easily scarf down in one breakfast. Rationing will be tough, but it is a reality when living on the Red Planet. The sweet hazelnut spread will be a treat savored, and sorely missed once gone.
The second day, we woke up to send off Crew 201 back to Earth and to their loved ones. Our first sunrise on Mars was breathtaking. Watching it rise above the red plateaus and rolling hills, glistening over the snow, was an incredible sight to see and so began our takeover of the habitat. Breakfast was casual with the crew’s selection of oatmeal and cereal. Turns out, fake milk is better left to the later, more desperate days of the mission. We have several organizations and individuals to thank for launching us on this mission, so part of the day was spent suited up and taking photos to send upon our return. This was the first time our entire crew was suited up, ready for action. Our family photo is all smiles, and they’ll only grow when the real Extra-Vehicular Activities (EVA) begin!
We are blessed with a bread machine on Mars. The French bread today had a warm, crunchy crust and a soft, fluffy interior. It was delightfully paired with re-hydrated butter and olive oil. We are mostly likely to run out of flour quicker than anything else as this becomes a daily ritual.
As the crew sits down for our first dinner, we are left with the testimony that “Everything on Mars has a personality”. We are fresh, optimistic, and looking forward to exploring the personalities of our new home and our new planet!
Movie Answer: Armageddon
Operations Report – December 30th
Crew 202 Operations Report 30-Dec-2018
SOL: 1
Name of person filing report: Kasey Hilton
Non-nominal systems: Kitchen sink; Extension cord plugged into static tank
Notes on non-nominal systems: The hot water gasket is leaking from the kitchen sink. We have to turn off the line below the sink in order for it to not drip from the faucet; The extension cord plugged into the static tank melted and had to be replaced with a new extension cord.
Generator (hours run): 9hr 37min; Turned off around 9 AM; Turned on at 6:37 PM
Solar – SOC 73%
Diesel Reading – 75%
Propane Reading – 59%
Ethanol Free Gasoline – Not in use
Water (auxiliary tank) – Not in use
Water (static tank) – Full; 550 gallons
Auxiliary to Static tank transfer – No
Gallons transferred: Not applicable
Water in GreenHab – Full;
Water (loft) – At level marker 12
Static to Loft Pump used – Yes; Used once at 7:22 AM to refill and once at 6:57 PM to top off for the next day
Water Meter: 01396935 units
Toilet tank emptied: No
Deimos rover used: No, still not functional
Hours: Not applicable
Beginning charge: Not applicable
Ending charge: Not applicable
Currently charging: Not applicable
Sojourner rover used: ASSIGNED TO DIRECTOR
Hours: Not applicable
Beginning charge: Not applicable
Ending charge: Not applicable
Currently charging: Not applicable
Spirit rover used: No
Hours: 63.0
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: Yes
Opportunity rover used: No
Hours: 44.8
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: Yes
Curiosity rover used: No
Hours: 61.2
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: Yes
Notes on rovers: None
ATV’s Used: Not used (Honda, 300, 350.1, 350.2, 350.3)
Reason for use: Not applicable
Oil Added? No
ATV Fuel Used: 0 Gals
# Hours the ATVs were Used today: None
Notes on ATVs: None
HabCar used and why, where? Yes; Used to fill up static and GreenHab water tanks; To Hanksville gas station and back
CrewCar used and why, where? Not used
General notes and comments: Spent most of the day refilling the water tanks and remaining crew did some chores back in the Hab
Summary of internet: Nothing to report
Summary of suits and radios: Two-piece suit #3 air flow still not working as reported from yesterday
Summary of Hab operations: The hot water handle for the kitchen sink does not work as mentioned above in "Non-nominal systems" section; Hot water gasket does not work correctly so the faucet leaks if the hot water line is not turned off below the sink.
Summary of GreenHab operations: Nothing to report
Summary of ScienceDome operations: Nothing to report
Summary of RAMM operations: Nothing to report
Summary of any observatory issues: Final adjustments to the lunar/automatic telescope are being made by CMD before starting use; Nothing to report on Musk Observatory
Summary of health and safety issues: Nothing to report
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: None
Sol Summary – December 30th
Crew 202 Sol Summary Report / Commander Report 30-Dec-2018
Sol: 1
Summary Title: It’s the final countdown
Author’s name: Cesare Guariniello
Mission Status: The crew is almost on Mars, ready to begin their isolated life in the most amazing habitat in the world. Oh, wait, outside of this world!! Destination: Mars.
Sol Activity Summary: Today five excited earthlings and one "slightly more experienced" half-Martian learned a little bit about life on Mars. A few fixes to the extension cords that power the water tank were followed by a mix of chores in the habitat, setting up rooms, sorting food, and replenishing our water supply. The late afternoon has been occupied with fixing the automatic observatory, and with the first part of crew training.
It is hard to find words to describe the feeling of being "at home" again, and how great it is to discover I am still amazed at everything around me. It is really hard to refrain myself from pouring into my crew a lot of stories from my past experience. I do not want to spoil any surprise for them, and I wish they will meet the same challenges and the same prizes I had last year. The entire crew knows how great an opportunity this is and is ready to take advantage of every moment of it, the funny and the tough ones! We already had hard work, and we already had funny moments and plenty of laughter with the program director and the assistant program director! Before we even lock the door of our habitat, I can tell I am home again!
Look Ahead Plan: EVA and Rover training tomorrow morning will be followed by beginning of simulation, and two very short EVAs to give all the crew a chance to try the experience and discomfort of EVAs in a hostile environment that requires the use of space suits and air packs. And for New Year’s Eve Dinner, a few visitors from Earth are expected!!
Anomalies in work: Slight delay in training due to many trips necessary to refill water tanks. EVA and Rover training moved to tomorrow morning
Weather: COLD and sunny. Melting snow on the ground
Crew Physical Status: In perfect health and ready to begin their mission on Mars
EVA: N/A
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Operations Report, HSO Initial Report, Greenhab Report, EVA request, Journalist Report
Support Requested: None
Cesare Guariniello, PhD
Commander Report – December 29th
Journalist Report – December 29th
Crew 201 Journalist Report – 28DEC2018
The Martian Chronicles
[SOL 14] – Whatever it takes
Our Martian mission is coming to an end and with it the adventure of a lifetime. It comes as no surprise that all the hard work has paid well. We turn back to reflect to life before Mars and what comes next to each one of us. We are explorers and today we have moved a step further into a larger world of exploration. Into reaching the stars and going where none has boldly gone before.
MDRS Crew 201 – MEx-1
Space has been the final frontier for the latter days of humankind and we have had the chance to go where only a few have seen before. We are called Martians and we are a family who takes care of each other and looks after whoever is coming after you. Today MEx-1 received the next explorers that will take care of our home: Martian Makers. They will carry on some of our experiments and will continue the dreams of so many that have visited the station before us.
Yesterday before bed, we had the time to bond as a team and reflect on the ups and downs of our mission. We had the chance to look back and understand the challenges that will come after we get back to Earth and how will our lives change. We came as a crew and we leave as a family.
Our last day on Mars was as you would expect a last day at a home would be. We cleaned the rooms, we cleared all the shelves, we shoveled Martian snow and we worked to receive a new crew at our base. We had the place ready for the next explorers to begin their adventure like Crew 200 did for us. A brief tour of the hab, life support systems check, report check and all of the regular tasks done at the station. It was a hard moment because we knew our time was about to pass.
We are now readying our way back to Earth, our ship is refueling and our spirits are high. We are coming back home as Martians and we are preparing ourselves for longer missions, harder activities, more training and to do all what is needed to get back to Mars and support the idea of becoming a multiplanetary species.
We will work hard. We will teach the people about the stars. We will prepare the next generation of explorers to go larger lengths than what we have done in our first mission. We will do whatever it takes to get back to Mars and continue exploring.
Ad Astra!
MEx-1 continuará.
Genaro Grajeda, MDRS Crew 201 Co-Journalist
Operations Report – December 29th
Crew 201 Operations Report 29-Dec-2018
SOL: 14
Name of person filing report: César Augusto Serrano Baza
Non-nominal systems: Generator Autostart
Notes on non-nominal systems: None
Generator (hours run): 17:05 yesterday until around 09:40. Today started at 19:00.
Solar— SOC 78%
Diesel Reading – Around 75%
Propane Reading – 61%
Ethanol Free Gasoline – N/A gallons.
Water (Axillary tank) – 0 gallons
Water (static tank) – Around half of the tank (around 175 gallons).
Auxillary to Static tank transfer– no
Gallons transferred: 0
Water in GreenHab – Medium level (80%)
Water (loft) – Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Water Meter: 01396602
Toilet tank emptied: YES
Deimos rover used: no, still not functional
Hours: 0
Beginning charge: –
Ending charge: –
Currently charging: no
Sojourner rover used: ASSIGNED TO DIRECTOR
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging X
Spirit rover used: NO
Hours: 63
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: YES
Opportunity rover used: NO
Hours: 44.8
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: YES
Curiosity rover used: NO
Hours: 61.2
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: YES
Notes on rovers: Nothing to report.
# Hours the ATVs were Used today: Nothing to report.
Notes on ATVs : Nothing to report.
HabCar used and why, where? Yes, Refill the water of the static tank.
CrewCar used and why, where? Yes, to pick up the crew 202.
General notes and comments: We cleaned the whole station and also we welcome the crew 202.
Summary of internet: Nothing to report.
Summary of suits and radios: We figured out again that the 2-piece suit still has the airflow problem. We did the troubleshooting of the last time and we know that the battery is still working but the air is not flowing inside the helmets as it has to flow.
Summary of GreenHab operations: – Nothing to report.
Summary of ScienceDome operations: – Nothing to report.
Summary of RAM operations:We cleaned the RAM at 100%
Summary of any observatory issues: Musk Solar observatory – Nominal. RObotic Observatory – Nominal.
Summary of health and safety issues: Nothing to report.
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: We are going back to Earth! Thanks MDRS for the support!
Thank you!!!
Greenhab Report – December 29th
Astronomy Report – December 29th
Astronomy Report
Name: Federico Arturo Martinez Espinoza
Crew: Crew 201 MEx-1
Date: Dec 29 2018
During our time on MDRS, as astronomer my main job was to make observations of different space bodies using the MDRS-WF telescope, the observations were focused on astrophotography of the next bodies:
| Object | Filters | Exposure | Images taken |
| 46P Wirtanen | RGB | 60s | 3 |
| Andromeda Galaxy | H alpha | 210 | 5 |
| Andromeda Galaxy | RGB | 60s | 3 |
| NGC7000 | RGB | 45s | 3 |
| Messier 101 | RGB + Halpha | 60s | 4 |
| Horsehead nebula | RGB + Halpha | 60s | 4 |
| NGC2024 | RG + Halpha | 60s | 3 |
| PGC21396 | RGB + Halpha + Lum | 45s | 5 |
| * Horsehead nebula | RGB + Halpha | 300s | 4 |
| * M1 | RGB + Halpha + Lum | 300s | 5 |
| * PGC27077 | RGB + Halpha + Lum | 120s | 5 |
*Pending
The filters used to process the images were on most of them RGB and some of them the Halpha filter with a time of exposures between 45 and 300 seconds, after calibrating the images on AstroimageJ I proceed to give the color using photoshop based on the steps the quick guide had gave me.
The results were varied depending on the time of exposure and the filters used, but many of the images were great and I am getting experience and exciting about astrophotography.
Sol Summary – Dec 29th
Crew 202 Sol Summary Report 29-Dec-2018
Sol: 0/14
Summary Title: Goodbye crew 201, hello crew 202
Author’s name: Carlos Mariscal, XO
Mission Status: Sol 0 for crew 202.
Sol Activity Summary: New crew got trained, crew 201 checked out. Water tanks filled up and received new supplies and food.
Look Ahead Plan: Briefing with MDRS Director, training and unpacking.
Anomalies in work: Suit number 4 still does not work properly.
Weather: Cold, calm winds.
Crew Physical Status: New crew seems to be healthy both physically and mentally.
EVA: Shannon’s trailer.
Reports to be file:
– Sol summary
– Commander report
– Operations report
– Astronomer report
– GreenHab report
– Photos of the day
Support Requested: None.
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