Category: Commander Report

Crew 220 Commander Report 1FEB2020

Author: John Hanacek, Commander

Title: Last Day, Retiring the Station-to-Station Mission

We awoke today out of simulation and quickly set to work cleaning up the MDRS station. Several of my crew also kindly helped disassemble t he MAU station. As I was the MAU Commander for Sol 1-7, I feel a special connection to this first habitat module, I could not help but reflect on how unique this station-to-station experience has been. I was blessed to start my time as a commander at the MAU station and experienced Mars from the unique perspective of operating at the same time as improving the habitat. I had a humbling experience at MAU; an intense growing experience. Susan Jewell (MAU Crew Lead) and I set up the station in preparation for receiving the crew as well as led the first crew who lived in it. When I became commander at MDRS for the second week rotation, I found myself so grateful for the large station’s size, consistent electrical power, full comprehensive systems and warm beds. I had been directly reminded by my MAU experience that the most important things for mission success are the basics such as shelter, water, food, and ability to look within and be really honest at all times.

As this mission ends, I am reflecting on what changed and what did not. Having two commanders was a challenge, as both had separate sovereignty of their station. Yet we needed to work together on joint missions, and to support one another’s stations. Mars is not a forgiving place for the unprepared – and so it should not be. Life requires being fully present, self monitoring and ensuring full accountability for the self and mutual support for the crew. It requires constant vigilance and good communication skills to survive, as well as deep connections and collaboration among all members of the crew to thrive. During this mission we demonstrated that two very different stations can operate together on Mars and more than just survive – we can thrive. When some MAU crew members became fatigued by the rugged conditions of the MAU station it was my role to ensure I supported them and together found a way to bolster morale. On EVAs each station’s habcomm’s operators handled overall radio coverage and enabled the mission to have a wider capability for situational awareness. The two stations were separate, yet operated in areas that required collaboration such as EVAs which enabled us to consistently move forward. I will forever remember this experience and the unique privilege and honor to co-command a two station mission.

Commander Hanacek

MDRS Station

Crew 220 (MAU) Commander’s Report 31Jan2020

Author: Shawna Pandya, Commander

Title: Twelve we meet again…

Sol 12. Last day. Wow. Time flies here on Mars. The morning at MAU started with a breakfast with our visiting Ambassador, MDRS Engineer Wise, and myself and MAU Engineer Roberts had fruitful discussions on mission and station operations and logistics.

Before long, it was time for our joint search-and-rescue and medical simulation with MDRS Station. I genuinely enjoyed this experience as this was one of the rare EVAs in which I served has HabComm, which afforded me a birds-eye view of the crew’s movements in the simulation. Let me say, they made my job easy today, due to their admirable and competent performance in a complex scenario.

The afternoon was spent on end-of-mission and check-out duties, such as science and project summaries, cleaning and reports, with a view to squaring ourselves away in time for one last evening together tonight.

There is still so much to say, but sometimes brevity says it all. I have thoroughly enjoyed co-commanding this mission with MDRS Commander Hanacek, and learned something from every single member of this crew.

When you hear from me next, it will be from Earth. This is the end of one mission yes, but with the bonds formed here, I suspect we have also sown the seeds for many more adventures. I wonder what the future holds…

Until my next communication (from Earth!),

Commander Pandya
Callsign: Nightowl
MAU Station, Crew 220

Crew 220 (MAU) Commander’s Report 30Jan2020

Author: Shawna Pandya, Commander

Title: Eleven’ on a Prayer

The day at MAU station started with a beautiful dawn breaking over the station. Between the night sky and the morning sunrises, the view here is incredible, even if it is forever through a window or visor, and I admit I will miss it. MDRS GreenHab Officer Bhuiyan was the visiting MDRS Ambassador for the night, and regaled us with tales of her experiences with astronomy, physics and poetry. She shared one particularly profound quote from Earth poet Robert Frost that will stay with me:

"The Prophets Really Prophesy
As Mystics The Commentators
Merely by Statistics."
– Robert Frost

It was a thought-provoking way to start our second last Sol here on the Red Planet. Next, myself and XO Svensoy rendezoused with the MDRS EVA team to conduct a joint search-and-rescue, medical triage and evacuation training exercise using a mannequin as a simulated injured crew member, and trialing the Golden Bubble pressurized medevac in the field for the first time. The exercise proceeded smoothly, and paved the way for our final training exercise tomorrow.

The day proceeded with further medical teaching and technology demonstrations, including virtual reality applications and the ButterflyIQ ultrasound device. As a medical doctor, I was enthralled with the latter and had to tear myself away! We were also productive, finding time to catch up on some of our nutrition and psychological surveys. The evening ended with some medical teaching regarding 3D-printed medical technologies for airway management, and some wellness and relaxation activities, including painting in the dark and a Mars Circle.

As my time on this dusty, cold planet draws to a close, I cannot help but reflect about all that I have learned about leadership, teamwork, planning, resilience, personal growth and survival. These things are all interconnected, and the lessons I have learned could fill a book. But alas, those are tales for another day. In the meantime, I will enjoy my last minutes on this planet.

Until my next communication,

Commander Pandya
Callsign: Nightowl
MAU Station, Crew 220

John Hanacek
Commander
Crew 220, MDRS

Crew 220 Commander Report 30Jan2020

Author: John Hanacek, Commander

Title: Ground to Sky – Commander’s Return Home

Sol 11 arrived very early. After three tedious days in quarantine, Crew Lead, Jewell and I were cleared for release. A clean bill of health was welcome news as we began our journey back home to MDRS. Mars continues to teach me patience and respect – for all that I see, feel, hear and that which I do not fully comprehend. Although I embrace the lesson now, late last night being literally stuck in the Mars mud as we returned home, I realize that the time to reflect and literally ground myself for the challenge or assuming Command was invaluable.

On arrival, I was truly delighted see the MAU and MDRS Crew. They were finishing the first-ever “Future Café” led by International Astronomy Researcher, Marufa Akhter Bhuiyan. This exercise, I was informed, helped the Crew travel in ‘imaginary time’ to 2050 and imagine where they and society would be on Mars or other parts of the known/unknown solar systems. Experiencing pressures of leadership with levels of operational and self-monitoring well above my normal comfort zone on Earth, I truly appreciated the Crew going through the Future Café experience which I feel helped them ‘fly” in today’s MEVA.

Today marked a very important small step forward for Martian-kind: pulling all the medical assessment training and technology together and testing its efficacy in an ICE environment. The Crew performed very well, meeting six (6) of eight (8) objectives. In short, safety, operational efficiency and procedural execution was very well done. Improvements are needed between the MEVA Crew and HabComms and we expect better results from the technology deployment – the semi-autonomous drone is to actually take flight.

Between the MEVA, an intense afternoon to catch up on science, patriciate in a mini-medical technology expo on the lower deck, and making dinner. The day has been very action oriented. Despite just a few hours of sleep, I remain vigilant, committed and very hopeful for a strong finish to the Mission – I expect that from myself and seek insight from XO Delisle and my crew so that I can be my best. I also commit to guiding the Crew to reach their potential by end of Mission – not as a conclusion, but as inspiration to fly higher and expand beyond.

Commander Hanacek

MDRS Station

Crew 220 (MAU) Commander’s Report 29Jan2020

Author: Shawna Pandya, Commander

Title: Some Sol-Searching…

We had an extremely productive day at MAU today. We hosted our first-ever MDRS Ambassador, MDRS Science Officer Kainu, overnight at MAU as our first-ever guest, and had a delightful exchange of ideas and competencies. All in all, I would call this first exchange a success, and am keen to continue to host ambassadors during the rest of the mission to continue the exchange of skills, competencies, and cultural aspects of the two stations.

On the operations and upkeep side, the MDRS and MAU Crew Engineers whipped up some Mars-gic and reinforced our power grid with our online and back-up power systems. The MAU Engineer reinforced the structural integrity of the station, while the MDRS Engineer worked on establishing a wireless station-to-station data link, and will continue to do so over the next ensuing Sols. The MAU Crew as a whole came together to reinforce the station flooring, reorganize the station, and scrub it down. It was hard work, but incredibly rewarding to see our station shine from our labours!

The day ended with a MAU exploratory EVA to Cowboy Corner, a special little part of Mars that affords views of dazzling expanses of marbled reds, whites and greys that rise to meet the eye to show off their grandeur in full force. Not many humans are privy to such a grand yet secret spectacle, and we are indeed privileged to count ourselves amongst them.

The Sols, they wind down now, and we will make the most of every last Martian minute.

Until my next communication,

Commander Pandya
Callsign: Nightowl
MAU Station

Shawna
Commander
MAU Crew 220

Title: I Saw the Science, and It Opened Up My Eyes

Author: Shawna Pandya, Commander

Today, in a word, ROCKED…and I am not just saying that because it was our geological EVA and sampling day. MAU and MDRS stations sent out a joint science team consisting of myself, XO Svensoy, MDRS Engineer Wise and MDRS Science Officer/Journalise Kainu. The day was a productive one, with our team managing to collect 5 samples across two site, including Kissing Camel Ridge and North Ridge – no small feat consider the North-South spread of these two sites. We were lucky, as the Sol was sunny and beautiful, and the beauty of the Martian diaspora with its red marbled landscapes stretched out to greet us. Words do not do it justice. One does not just describe Mars…one must experience it.

On a lighter note, XO Svensoy delighted and amazed us all by juggling while on EVA (is this the first time this was done on Mars?). Of course, one cannot be too impressed, everything is easier in 1/3rd gravity!

Tonight marks two additional happy occasions.First of all, MAU Engineer Waipiti returns from quarantine. Next, we begin our MAU Ambassadors program, wherein we host a visiting MDRS officer overnight to learn more about Station’s programming, culture and operations. We begin by hosting MDRS Science Officer Kainu, and cannot wait to welcome her to our humble little station. Tomorrow will be day of station operations and maintenance, followed by some afternoon EVAs.

Looking forward,

Commander Pandya
Callsign: Nightowl
MAU Station

Crew 220 Commander Report 27Jan2020

Author: Connie Delisle, Commander

Title: Out of this World Medical Training

Sol 8 marked a shift from knowing about medical assessment tools to using them. What better way to close the “knowing -doing” gap than by learning from a team of two international medical doctors. Johannes Svensøy from Norway and Shawna Pandya from Canada first explained and then lead the Crew through simulated medical emergencies during today’s morning and afternoon EVA’s. Crews practised P-MARCH-P for primary trauma survey followed by more advanced techniques called the “Secondary Survey” and “SAMPLE”. Crew’s really applied themselves to put learning into action, as well as continuing to improve radio and communication skills.

XO Wise keep extremely busy – from handling daily operations, cleaning floors on top of participating in the morning medical training EVAs. History was made as the Crew tested XO Wise’s invention – “the Golden Bubble” – for the very first time under extreme conditions on Mars. XO Wise remarked that, “I was super excited to see it used in the field”. This sentiment was shared by the Crew and we look forward to hearing about the prototype’s advancement.

Between EVAs, afternoon science, evening science the schedule continues to offer challenges and opportunities for personal and professional growth. I’ve put together a series of electronic folders and to facilitate sharing of the Mission information, the Crew has open access to the folders / files through a USB key. This has enabled Commander Shawna and to collaborate efficiently and effectively. I am learning a great deal from her along with XO Svensøy, XO Wise and the Crew.

I am grateful for this opportunity to learn, share and expand my appreciation for my colleagues expertise, contributions and insights.

Commander Delisle

MDRS Station

Title: SurMAUnting Obstacles...

Author: Shawna Pandya, Commander

Once again, I am impressed with the mental aptitude and fortitude of my crew (as well as counterparts at MDRS station). To recap, we are at a skeleton crew over the next few sols as several of our crew remain in quarantine. Despite this, both crews have pulled together to work extremely hard at maintaining station operations, while furthering mission operations at the same time.

In the morning, we started with with a recap of the medical triage and assessment skills learned to date (METHANE, P-MARCH-P), and then expanded this skillbase to include a SAMPLE history and the secondary trauma survey. Next, we put these skills into practice into the field as we drilled a trauma scenario in front of the MDRS Hab over the course of two medical EVAs. These EVAs also saw the first field deployment of the Golden Bubble pressurized medevac device, and early demonstrations are both promising and gratifying.

Life on Mars, of course, is not without its challenges. The winds picked up considerably today, and we conducted two Engineering EVAs over the course of the day to fortify and secure MAU station from the elements. I need to commend XO Svensoy in particular for his diligence and perseverance in securing the crew quarters from the elements. His presence is a true asset to the station, and we are better off for having him.

To whatever adventures may come next...

Commander Pandya
Callsign: Nightowl
MAU Station

Summary Title: Sunday’s Trinity

Author’s name: Connie Delisle, Commander
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: Along with transfer for personnel this morning came the transfer of Command of MDRS Station from Commander Shawna to Commander Connie; and at MAU, from Commander John to Commander Shawna. This first-ever MAU-MDRS Station-to-Station Mission purposefully includes command transfers to test differences between governance (leadership models). Several of the MDRS Crew will have coordinated three “departures” by the end of this day: Several Crew were quarantined; a joint MAU-MDRS EVA was done to the MAU Station using the Rovers (Spirit and Curiosity); and a return of the MAU Crew to its Station. We are finding synergy in “threes”. The morning activities at MRDS Station included medical training for non-medical professionals. The informative, hands on training session was co-presented by Dr. Johannes Svenszoy and MD Dr. Shawna Pandya, MD. The first training block covered the procedure for applying the METHANE procedure:[Major Incident, Exact Location, Type of incident, Hazards involved, Access to Site Number of Causalities, and Emergency Services Needed]. This session was followed by Dr’s Pandya and Svensoy reviewing the procedure for conducting P-MARCH-P [Patient, Personnel, Permission, Personal Protective Gear; Massive Hemorrhage and C-Spine; Airway; Respirations; Circulation and Head/Hypothermia. After lunch the Doctors resumed the training session, reviewing CPR and bagging (resuscitation) procedures inclusive of hands on practice using the technique.

Team lead Commander Shawna managed gracefully through some communications technology issues at the start of the afternoon EVA to the MAU station. Keeping safety first, the Crew successfully completed the EVA, capturing photos and returned to MDRS at 17:45. Dr. Pandya then completed the EVA wellness study which entails collecting biometrics data.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow’s morning and afternoon Medical EVAs will consist of testing an innovation entitled the “Golden Bubble”. The Bubble is a prototype of a first-of-its kind pressured Medivac transport System.
Anomalies in work: NA
Weather: -3C low / 3C max, 0C average, 40% chance of precipitation tomorrow
Crew Physical Status: Excellent mental focus, with positive feedback about the high quality medical training sessions.
EVA: 1 AM MDRS – MAU joint EVA performed today as above

Reports to be filed:
Commander Report
Sol Summary
Photo Report
Operations Report
GreenHab Report
EVA Report
EVA Request
Support Requested: None Required

Shawna
Commander
Crew 220, MAU

Sol 7 Commander’s Report

Author: Shawna Pandya, Commander

Title: Fly Me to the MAU…

A new sol, a new station. In the morning XO Svensoy and I ran some further medical training and drills with the MAU-MDRS crew, including the METHANE protocol for calling in a major incident, redrilling P-MARCH-P for a primary trauma survey, and going over CPR techniques. We were so impressed with the crew’s ability to learn take on complex concepts in a short amount of time.

In ongoing project news, I have been able to get the sensors back online for one of our biometric study, which was a HUGE win after trying to do so for the past few days.

Later on, XO Svensoy and I packed up and moved out for MAU station, with Officer Kainu briefing us as to the station operations. We are delighted with the station and look forward to building a culture and program that is associated with the MAU crew. As a good portent, XO Svensoy has put up some stars up on the station, so I can indeed say that the constellations are different at MAU station.

Looking forward to the spls ahead…

Commander Pandya
MAU Station