Greenhab Report – February 15th

Crew 205 Green Hab Report – 15-FEB-2019

GreenHab Officer: Dave Masaitis

Environmental control: Heating and Cooling w/ ambient air (5 hrs)

Shade Cloth (40%)

Average temperatures:

Low: 17.2 °C

High: 25.1°C

Hours of supplemental light: 5 Hours

Daily water usage for crops: 12 gallons

Water in Blue Tank: ~ 240.5 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops:

TIME NOTED TEMPERATURE(° C ) / HUMIDITY(%) [AT TIME OF WATERING]

1) 09:18 AM 21.3° C / 49%
2) 12:00 PM 23.1° C / 32%
3) 15:03 PM 22.5° C / 24%
4) 18:11 PM 18.7° C / 27%

Changes to crops: A pot of “Mystery Greens” was planted(see narrative below). A. Thaliana was planted in regolith-type substrates according to the mission plan.

Narrative: The door to the GreenHab was opened at 0954 hrs, due to an observed temperature of 25ºC. The Smoke/CO Detector began chirping an error code at 1018 hrs, so the GreenHab Officer notified the Health and Safety Officer and Crew Engineer, and then replaced the two ‘AA’ batteries. A test was performed on the detector, and it was remounted on its bracket. The GreenHab Officer spent the morning performing an inventory of the MDRS Seed Bank, only to find that some of the seed packets had been spilled in the can. The GreenHab Officer had a working lunch, in order to get the loose seeds re-sorted by type, and placed back into appropriate packets. Only one variety did not have a corresponding packet, and those seeds appeared to be a microgreen mix, so the GreenHab Officer discussed the matter with the Commander, and then planted the loose seeds in a pot labeled “Mystery Greens.” The crew intends to positively identify this group before departing MDRS and will be capable of reporting the group’s progress. The Comms Officer stopped by to assist with the removal of 200g (wet mass) of dead carrot biomass, as well as the harvesting of 2g of sage. The GreenHab door was closed at 1418 hrs, due to excessive wind gusts, and reopened at 1437 hrs to resume temperature regulation as winds calmed. The door was closed again by 1530 hrs as winds picked back up, but exterior thermo-regulation was no longer required. The MDRS Seed Bank Inventory was digitized by common name, scientific name, and cultivar based on information given on seed packets, and will be continuously improved prior to departure of Crew 205.

Harvest: 2g sage, 200g dead carrot biomass

Support/supplies needed: GreenHab Officer requests ziploc baggies to better organize open seed packets in the seed bank, and prevent future spilling of loose seeds from opened packets

GreenHab Report – February 14th

GreenHab Officer: Natalia Larrea

Environmental control: Heating and Cooling w/ ambient air (8 hrs)

Shade Cloth (40%)

Average temperatures:

Low: 17.5 °C

High: 26.5°C

Hours of supplemental light: 5 Hours

Daily water usage for crops: 12 gallons

Water in Blue Tank: ~ 252.5 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops:

TIME NOTED TEMPERATURE(° C ) / HUMIDITY(%)
[AT TIME OF WATERING]

1) 09.00 AM 24.5° C / 28 %
2) 12.00 PM 25.2° C / 32 %
3) 14:40 PM 24.5° C / 38 %
4) 18:00 PM 20.6° C / 48 %

Changes to crops: New seedlings continue sprouting around the large tomato plant in the grow bed. Some plants exhibit potential nutrient deficit (see narrative below). The A. Thaliana started sprouting on the germination plate.

Narrative: Further seeds of A. Thaliana were washed and placed in germination plates using damp paper towel germinations last night (13th February). The plates were placed inside the incubator to maintain optimal environmental conditions. The A. Thaliana that was plated on Monday started sprouting as well and will be transferred to collected regolith samples tomorrow. We continued regolith characterization by investigating the pH of the sample. The samples were treated with a CaCl2-2H2O solution and de-ionized water results will be available in tomorrow’s report.

The GreenHab temperature was regulated throughout the day with the use of the heater at specific intervals of time. We conducted inventory in the GreenHab to identify which plants exhibit yellow pigmentation (i.e., possible indicator of nitrogen/nutrient deficiency in those pots). The following plants were identified as having a nutrient deficit (see attached pictures):

· Savory mix (some leaves started to turn yellow)

· Lettuce encore mix (some leaves exhibit slight yellow color)

· Lettuce leaf (some leaves started to turn yellow)

· Parsley (the plant is largely healthy, few leaves at the bottom started turning yellow).

· Fennel (the plant is largely healthy, few leaves at the bottom started turning yellow).

· Sugar snap peas (most plants turning yellow. Some drying)

· Cucumber (plants seem to be dead, as previously reported)

We prepared the plants nutrient employing the “Miracle-Gro” solution available in the GreenHab. We sprayed the solution sparingly at specific spots at the base of the affected plants. We will continue monitoring the situation to observe how plants react. It is anticipated we will repeat this process in the next two to three days.

Harvest: 2g parsley, 1g lemon basil, 1g fennel greens.

Support/supplies needed: None.

Greenhab Report – February 13th

Crew 205 Green Hab Report – 13-FEB-2019

GreenHab Officer: Nathan Hadland

Environmental control: Heating and Cooling w/ ambient air (0 hrs)

Shade Cloth (40%)

Average temperatures:

Low: 17.4°C

High: 27.3°C

Hours of supplemental light: 5 Hours

Daily water usage for crops: 12 gallons

Water in Blue Tank: ~ 264.5 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops:

TIME NOTED TEMPERATURE(° C ) / HUMIDITY(%)
[AT TIME OF WATERING]

1) 09.00 AM 21.4° C / 28 %
2) 12.00 PM 22.2° C / 24 %
3) 15:30 PM 21.9° C / 27 %
4) 18:15 PM 25.5° C / 33 %

Changes to crops: New seedlings sprouting around the large tomato plant in the grow bed.

Narrative: We continued regolith sample collection in Candor Chasma and will continue characterization throughout the evening using the dissection and optical microscopes. We are also performing spectral analysis using a spectrometer for preliminary elemental characterization.

The A. Thaliana has not germinated yet on the agar germination plates, so we are considering using a damp paper towel germination as a backup. The GreenHab dropped in temperature today due to persistent cloud cover. However, the heater mitigated the temperature fluctuations.

The red leaf lettuce us not showing any pigmentation, which is a possible indicator of plant stress. Additionally, the peas still have yellow pigmentation, which leads us to believe there are nutrient and nitrogen deficiency in those pots. We will continue to monitor these experiments.

We are still waiting for the arrival of seeds.

Harvest: None.

Support/supplies needed: None

Greenhab Report – February 12th

Crew 205 Green Hab Report – 12-FEB-2019

GreenHab Officer: Nathan Hadland

Environmental control: Heating and Cooling w/ ambient air (4 hrs)

Shade Cloth (40%)

Average temperatures:

Low: 17.7°C

High: 27.9°C

Hours of supplemental light: 5 Hours

Daily water usage for crops: 12 gallons

Water in Blue Tank: ~ 276.5 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops:

TIME NOTED TEMPERATURE(° C ) / HUMIDITY(%) [AT TIME OF WATERING]

1) 09.00 AM 19.5° C / 54 %
2) 12.00 PM 27.6° C / 28 %
3) 15:30 PM 19.8° C / 63 %
4) 18:15 PM 18.7° C / 45 %

Changes to crops: None

Narrative: Today we continued sample collection on EVA’s for the regolith samples for the nutrient supplementation experiments (see mission summary). We also began characterizing regolith samples and took photographs underneath the dissection microscope. A more thorough analysis of the samples will be available in tomorrow’s science report. The A. Thaliana seeds were washed and placed on germination plates last night and we expect germination to be in initial stages tomorrow.

Additionally, we took photographs of the dissected cucumber samples under the optical microscope and found evidence of degraded cell structure, likely from the fungi growing on the dead plants. More information and photos will be available in tomorrow’s science report as well.

We removed 1 dead sunflower from its grow bed to prevent the spread of mold. Similarly, we removed 1 dead Red Leaf Lettuce from its pot. Additionally, we groomed dead biomass (fallen leaves/stems) from several of the grow beds. We also harvested small amounts of oregano, parsley and lemon basil for lunch.

Harvest: 1/3 g Oregano

1/3 g Parsley

1/3 g Lemon basil

6.3 g of dead material (including dead cucumbers)

Support/supplies needed: None.

Greenhab Report – February 11th

Crew 205 Green Hab Report – 11-FEB-2019

GreenHab Officer: Nathan Hadland

Environmental control: Heating and Cooling w/ ambient air (5 hrs)

Shade Cloth (40%)

Average temperatures:

Low: 17.1°C

High: 26.4°C

Hours of supplemental light: 5 Hours

Daily water usage for crops: 11.5 gallons

Water in Blue Tank: ~ 288.5 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops:

TIME NOTED TEMPERATURE(° C ) / HUMIDITY(%)
[AT TIME OF WATERING]

1) 09.00 AM 19.9° C / 33 %
2) 12.00 PM 25.2° C / 62 %
3) 15:30 PM 20.5° C / 22 %
4) 18:15 PM 19.1° C / 48 %

Changes to crops: None

Narrative: I scrapped 2 of the cucumber experiments and set the plant material aside for later analysis. We prepared some wet mount slides and analyzed the samples under the microscope in the science dome and found nothing unusual with regards cell structure. However, the discoloration and dry material leads us to believe that they died of nitrogen deficiency and improper watering. We will continue analysis at a later date. I am attempting to salvage three of the cucumbers that appear to still be living. In addition, I prepped the tomato pots so they are ready for the seed arrival.

In the large planter, we dug up all of the carrots that were growing wrong areas and replanted them in one section (as I mentioned in my last report, they were clearly taking over the planter and causing nitrogen deficiency on the other crops). In the rearranging process, we freed up a lot of room for the tomatoes in the planter and we intend on using some of the seeds we received to add to the number of tomato plants in the planter.

I also harvested many of the larger carrot crops and we separated the carrots from the carrot greens. We dried out the greens using the ovens for our In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) study on cellulosic ethanol production (see the GreenHab section in the mission summary report). The harvest is being used for roasted carrots for dinner!

I started autoclaving pipet tips and microcentrifuge tubes, however, we had issues with the autoclave (refer to tonight’s operations report). Once the autoclave cools, later tonight we will start the procedure for germinating the Arabidopsis thaliana seeds and plating on the germination plates. We will put those plates in the GreenHab and expect germination within the next few days. Today, we started sampling regolith on EVA for later physical property characterization. Once the A. thaliana germinates, we will transfer the seedlings to the regolith we identify as the best substrates.

Harvest: Carrots: 314 g total weight

124 wet weight of carrot greens

190 g of carrots

23 g dry weight of inedible cellulosic material

Support/supplies needed: None.

Greenhab Report – February 11th

Crew 205 Green Hab Report – 11-FEB-2019

GreenHab Officer: Nathan Hadland

Environmental control: Heating and Cooling w/ ambient air (5 hrs)

Shade Cloth (40%)

Average temperatures:

Low: 17.1°C

High: 26.4°C

Hours of supplemental light: 5 Hours

Daily water usage for crops: 11.5 gallons

Water in Blue Tank: ~ 388.5 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops:

TIME NOTED TEMPERATURE(° C ) / HUMIDITY(%)
[AT TIME OF WATERING]

1) 09.00 AM 19.9° C / 33 %
2) 12.00 PM 25.2° C / 62 %
3) 15:30 PM 20.5° C / 22 %
4) 18:15 PM 19.1° C / 48 %

Changes to crops: None

Narrative: I scrapped 2 of the cucumber experiments and set the plant material aside for later analysis. We prepared some wet mount slides and analyzed the samples under the microscope in the science dome and found nothing unusual with regards cell structure. However, the discoloration and dry material leads us to believe that they died of nitrogen deficiency and improper watering. We will continue analysis at a later date. I am attempting to salvage three of the cucumbers that appear to still be living. In addition, I prepped the tomato pots so they are ready for the seed arrival.

In the large planter, we dug up all of the carrots that were growing wrong areas and replanted them in one section (as I mentioned in my last report, they were clearly taking over the planter and causing nitrogen deficiency on the other crops). In the rearranging process, we freed up a lot of room for the tomatoes in the planter and we intend on using some of the seeds we received to add to the number of tomato plants in the planter.

I also harvested many of the larger carrot crops and we separated the carrots from the carrot greens. We dried out the greens using the ovens for our In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) study on cellulosic ethanol production (see the GreenHab section in the mission summary report). The harvest is being used for roasted carrots for dinner!

I started autoclaving pipet tips and microcentrifuge tubes, however, we had issues with the autoclave (refer to tonight’s operations report). Once the autoclave cools, later tonight we will start the procedure for germinating the Arabidopsis thaliana seeds and plating on the germination plates. We will put those plates in the GreenHab and expect germination within the next few days. Today, we started sampling regolith on EVA for later physical property characterization. Once the A. thaliana germinates, we will transfer the seedlings to the regolith we identify as the best substrates.

Harvest: Carrots: 314 g total weight

124 wet weight of carrot greens

190 g of carrots

23 g dry weight of inedible cellulosic material

Support/supplies needed: None.

Greenhab Report – February 10th

Crew 205 Green Hab Report – 10-FEB-2019

GreenHab Officer: Nathan Hadland

Environmental control: Heating and Cooling w/ ambient air (4 hrs)

Shade Cloth (40%)

Average temperatures:

Low: 17.6°C

High: 27.8°C

Hours of supplemental light: 5 Hours

Daily water usage for crops: 11 gallons

Water in Blue Tank: ~ 148 gallons (NOTE – GreenHab tank will be filled later tonight by Atila)

Time(s) of watering for crops:

TIME NOTED TEMPERATURE(° C ) / HUMIDITY(%)
[AT TIME OF WATERING]

1) 08.38 AM 18.0° C / 35 %
2) 13.37 PM 25.7° C / 11 %
3) 16.45 PM 21.1° C / 31 %
4) 19:00 PM 18.8° C / 42 %

Changes to crops: None

Narrative: The carrots appear to be dominating their portion of the planter and seem to be drawing nutrients from the adjacent oregano and parsley. Tuesday, we will harvest some of these carrots to help alleviate the stress on the rest of the grow bed and provide supplemental nutrition to the crew. The cucumber plants are dead and we will recover them and repurpose the soil for the incoming tomato plants at the beginning of sim tomorrow as well. We changed the fly paper in all of the pots and grow beds, and we took photos of all of the plants in the GreenHab to compare when we photograph them again several times throughout the sim.

Harvest: None

Support/supplies needed: I suggest purchasing packages of fly paper in the next few weeks, there is only one left.

Crew 204 Greenhab Report 09Feb2019

Crew 204 Green Hab Report – 9-FEB-2019

GreenHab Officer: Patil (Cosmos)

Environmental control: Heating and Cooling w/ ambient air (5 hrs)

Shade Cloth (40%)

Average temperatures:

Low: 18.7°C

High: 25.6°C

Hours of supplemental light: 5 Hours

Daily water usage for crops: 12 gallons

Water in Blue Tank: ~ 159 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops:

TIME NOTED TEMPERATURE(° C ) / HUMIDITY(%)
[AT TIME OF WATERING]

1) 10.00 AM 18.1° C / 75 %
2) 13.22 PM 19.3° C / 36 %
3) 15:12 PM 23.4° C / 23 %
4) 20:40 PM 19.2° C / 49 %

Changes to crops: None

Narrative: We are having change over today, I am feeling so emotional to leave my kids(plants) in the hands of a new green officer Mr. Nathan Harland. I am sure he will take care of them and make them grow even better. Plants are growing as expected and looking forward to seeing their status in near future. Thank you MDRS for this amazing experience. This is going to be a life long experience. Thank you for everything.

Harvest: None

Support/supplies needed: None

Greenhab Report – February 8th

Crew 204 Green Hab Report – 8-FEB-2019

GreenHab Officer: Patil (Cosmos)

Environmental control: Heating and Cooling w/ ambient air (5 hrs)

Shade Cloth (40%)

Average temperatures:

Low: 16.3°C

High: 27.2°C

Hours of supplemental light: 5 Hours

Daily water usage for crops: 12 gallons

Water in Blue Tank: ~ 171 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops:

TIME NOTED TEMPERATURE(° C ) / HUMIDITY(%)
[AT TIME OF WATERING]

1) 09.00 AM 19.4° C / 27 %
2) 12.00 PM 27.0° C / 20 %
3) 15:00 PM 18.0° C / 22 %
4) 18:00 PM 16.3° C / 32 %

Changes to crops: None

Narrative: Out of all the sprouts, fenugreek sprouts have grown faster. Cover shaped leaves are about 5 cm high till today and growing, which make a pretty groundcover between taller, widely spaced crops. and the fact that fenugreek roots are capable of fixing nitrogen in the soil to naturally fertilize the crops around them. All these make the crop a perfect all-rounder.

Harvest: None

Support/supplies needed: None

Greenhan Report- February 7th

Crew 204 Green Hab Report – 7-FEB-2019

GreenHab Officer: Patil (Cosmos)

Environmental control: Heating and Cooling w/ ambient air (5 hrs)

Shade Cloth (40%)

Average temperatures:

Low: 17.2°C

High: 26.2°C

Hours of supplemental light: 5 Hours

Daily water usage for crops: 12 gallons

Water in Blue Tank: ~ 183 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops:

TIME NOTED TEMPERATURE(° C ) / HUMIDITY(%)
[AT TIME OF WATERING]

1) 09.00 AM 22.2° C / 39 %
2) 12.00 PM 24.9° C / 21 %
3) 15:00 PM 19.9° C / 21 %
4) 18:00 PM 18.2° C / 26 %

Changes to crops: None

Narrative: After almost 12 gallons of water, hours of supplementary light and lots of care later, plants are noted to be in great shape and health.

Harvest: None

Support/supplies needed: None

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