Category: Sol Summary

Crew 293 Sol Summary Report 25-02-2024

Sol: 7

Summary Title: Carpe Diem

Author’s name: Marie Delaroche, Crew Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

For our first rest day of the mission, we allowed ourselves a little more sleep than usual; for the first time since our arrival on Mars, I was awoken by sunlight rather than by my alarm. Our Crew HSO had prepared an hour-long workout session, which only made us enjoy the pancakes even more afterwards.

After an efficient and thorough clean, the Hab is as good as new ! The Crew then spent the rest of the afternoon in the Hab, resting for some, working on personal projects or on data collection for others. We are ready for a productive and intense second week, marking the start of the photogrammetry experiment and the launch of AI4U

Look Ahead Plan:

Our first photogrammetry EVA at North Ridge is planned for Sol 8, which will be dedicated to generating a 3D map of the area. This map will be given to part of the Crew to prepare an exploration EVA, during which the team will need to identify pre-defined checkpoints. The objective is to compare the performance of a team given a regular 2D map (Sol 10), and a team given a 3D map (Sol 12) of the same area.

Anomalies in work: EVA suits 3,4,5,6, Solar observatory offline

Weather: Partly cloudy, Low 10°C, High 20°C

Crew Physical Status: Nominal

EVA: NA

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist’s Report, GreenHab Report, Operations Report, Photos (6-8 pics), EVA Request (Photogrammetry)

Support Requested: NA

Crew 293 Sol Summary Report 26-02-2024

Sol: 8

Summary Title: Who runs the Hab: Girls !

Author’s name: Marie Delaroche, Crew Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

Everyone was very excited for the beginning of the photogrammetry experiment this morning. This was the first of three EVAs scheduled this week to North Ridge. Using an Anafi AI Parrot drone, the GreenHab Officer performed a 3D scan of the entire North Ridge area, while the Crew Engineer and Scientist decided where they would place the checkpoints on the map. The EVA was successful; as soon as the team (composed of the three boys of the crew!) was back at the Hab, they started uploading the images and generating the map, which will be used by one of two teams to explore the area. Their performance in finding the checkpoints will be compared to that of a second team, given only a regular 2D map.

The morning EVA team also took advantage of their outing to change the atmospheric instruments’ battery, and troubleshoot the Field Mill. It is now fully operational!

This afternoon, we reached two milestones; all crewmembers are trained for the EchoFinder study, and the AI4U experiment is officially launched. Our Crew HSO also finished handling the data from the first week of Orbital Architecture, reaching a grand total of 25 GB !

A routine has slowly started to settle, bringing with it almost a sense of belonging. The whole team is invested, and putting the mission first. Nevertheless, we never miss an opportunity to remind each other to take care of ourselves.

Look Ahead Plan: Two EVAs are scheduled to take place at North Ridge this week, one with the 2D team (Sol 10) and one with the 3D team (Sol 12)

Anomalies in work: EVA suits 3,4,5,7,9

Weather: Sunny, low 5°C, high 19°C

Crew Physical Status: Nominal

EVA: Photogrammetry at North Ridge

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist’s Report, GreenHab Report, Operations Report, Photos (6-8 pics), EVA Report

Crew 293 Sol Summary Report 20-02-2024

Sol: 2

Summary Title: Slowly Settling Down

Author’s name: Marie Delaroche, Crew Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

No EVAs were planned today, in order to continue setting up experiments in the Hab and other modules. After breakfast and a workout session prepared by our HSO, everyone got to work on their different tasks and experiments. The EchoFinder experiment has been set up in the Science Dome, and all location tracking anchors and most environmental sensors are in place. The crew has started taking cognitive assessments in different locations around the station; the data will then be correlated to environmental, location and physiological data as part of the Orbital Architecture study. Atmospheric instruments are also ready in the RAM, and have collected data during the night between Sol 1 and Sol 2.

Unfortunately, the solar observatory is still unusable, for the broken part of the telescope could not be replaced. This is a hard blow for our Crew Astronomer, but she is not letting herself be brought down, and is admirably contributing to other experiments she is responsible for.

Look Ahead Plan:

We are hoping for good weather conditions on Sol 3 to deploy the LOAC (Light Optical Aerosol Counter), MegaAres (designed for electric field measurements) at the location chosen during the first training EVA. We are also planning to do an EVA on Sol 4 to deploy a weather station and the Field Mill near the Hab.

Apart from Observatory operations, everything is looking good science-wise, which has given rise to the question of possibly having to deal with downtime in the next few Sols before other studies are launched (starting , something which had not been anticipated. I am confident that the crew will keep very busy, making the most of our time in this unique environment.

Anomalies in work: Solar observatory offline

Weather: Cloudy, light rain in the morning. High 56°F, Low

Crew Physical Status: Nominal

EVA: None

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist’s Report, GreenHab Report, Operations Report, Photos (6-8 pics), EVA Request (1)

Support Requested:

As a way to reinforce the simulation, we would like to ask that Ben not specify the reason for his leaving the outpost (e.g. Going on a hike with Jules) if it is not necessary for the crew to know. We understand that for security reasons, the crew must know if Ben is not at the outpost, but we would like to keep communications between the crew and Mission Support as ‘in sim’ as possible.

Crew 293 Sol Summary Report 21-02-2024

Sol: 3

Summary Title: Story of an EVA

Author’s name: Marie Delaroche, Crew Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

On this third Sol of our mission, our first high-stakes EVA rested on the shoulders of the designated crew, composed of Erin, Léa and Leo. Their task was to set up the main atmospheric instruments : MegaAres and LOAC, which they performed beautifully. Communications between the EVA Leader and HabCom were clear and efficient, procedures were executed efficiently, and all tests of the instruments’ correct function have been validated. The EVA Crew enjoyed a well-deserved rest period after lunch !

In the afternoon, all Crew members continued implementing their experiments: the location tracking system was tested by the Crew HSO, and the Crew Engineer and GreenHab Officer finished deploying all environmental sensors. Part of AI4U experiment (testing of an AI assistant designed for astronauts) is also deployed, allowing crewmembers to request information about the station to the AI.

Léa and I also performed the AMI (Anomaly Monitoring Interface) preliminary tests. This interface, designed by Quentin Royer, former Crew Engineer at MDRS, will be used to simulate basic operations for a space station (resource management, power management, etc.) and trigger simulated anomalies requiring action from the Crew.

Look Ahead Plan:

Tomorrow (Sol 4), the Crew is aiming to perform a second EVA to deploy the rest of the atmospheric instruments (a Field Mill and a weather station). All Crew members will also be trained on the AMI interface, and the EchoFinder sessions are to continue regularly in the coming weeks.

Anomalies in work: Solar observatory offline

Weather: Mostly cloudy in the morning, moderate winds. Low 5°C, High 15°C

Crew Physical Status: Nominal

EVA: EVA #3; deployment of atmospheric instruments (MegaAres and LOAC)

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist’s Report, GreenHab Report, Operations Report, Photos (6-8 pics), EVA Report, EVA Request

Support Requested: NA

Crew 293 Sol Summary Report 22-02-2024

Sol: 4

Summary Title: First clouds upon the Crew

Author’s name: Marie Delaroche, Crew Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

This morning, the second EVA team tasked with installing the remaining atmospheric devices (the Field Mill and a weather station) left the station at 9:15. The team successfully installed a weather station which is now synchronized with a tablet inside the Hab. The data collected by the weather station will be used to determine how the measurements taken by the atmospheric instruments are influenced by wind speed, wind direction, humidity, etc.The rest of the EVA went smoothly, apart from a malfunction with the Field Mill.

One EVA crewmember started noticing an issue with the airflow of their suit as the EVA crew was approaching the airlock. Once inside, they felt their suit was no longer ventilated, and quickly asked the crew to take off their helmet, which they did immediately; sim was broken for safety purposes. The crewmember sat down and had difficulty breathing, as they had been breathing accumulated CO2. The entire crew reacted to the situation perfectly; we called Mission Support, and provided all the correct first aid elements. Mathurin checked their oximetry level, which was back to normal after they went back to the Hab. Once the situation was under control, Leo and Marie performed measurements on the ventilation battery and noticed that the battery level had dropped below 8V, after 3h30mins of use.

After re-reading previous emails between Mission Support and Crew 292, we realized the faulty suit (suit 6) was also reported to have battery issues, and that the battery had already been replaced before. We will make sure that the problem does not occur again by testing every suit (see Operations Report for details on the tests) to identify the ones that might be faulty.

The Crew spent the early afternoon resting after an eventful morning; we then spent time training with the AMI interface, and troubleshooting sensors.

Look Ahead Plan:

Tomorrow will be dedicated to various activities, most notably preparing videos for the schools linked to our outreach program, continuing the EchoFinder experiment, and troubleshooting hardware for Orbital Architecture.

An EVA to retrieve and fix the malfunctioning Field Mill is scheduled on Sol 6.

Anomalies in work: EVA Suit #6

Weather: Sunny, High 15°C, Low 5°C

Crew Physical Status: One crewmember had trouble breathing at the end of the EVA. They have fully recovered.

EVA: Deployment of two Atmospheric Instruments, the Field Mill and a weather station.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist’s Report, GreenHab Report, Operations Report, Photos (6-8 pics), EVA Reports (1), HSO Report

Support Requested: NA

Crew 293 Sol Summary Report 23-02-2024

Sol: 5

Summary Title: Science is our AMI*

Author’s name: Marie Delaroche, Crew Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

Today was a rather quiet Sol; most of the long-running experiments are starting to be a part of our routine, from cognitive tests to daily questionnaires. The Science Dome was put to good use this afternoon, housing EchoFinder, Orbital Architecture and the TILT experiment.

Tests were also conducted on all EVA suits to determine which are safe to use for future EVAs, as our EVAs dedicated to our photogrammetry study will be longer and take us farther away from the Hab.

The AMI interface was tested again this morning and presented to the Crew, who will be tasked with making suggestions for potential edits. The objective is to collect as much feedback as possible for the developers, to prepare the interface for the next crew, and to eventually correlate our reaction times to the data from the physiological sensors we wear at all times.

Look Ahead Plan:

During the previous atmospheric instruments EVA, there was an issue with the Field Mill, and measurements have not started. The instrument must be retrieved for repairs in the RAM, therefore it will be retrieved during an EVA scheduled on Sol 6.

Sol 7 has been declared a rest day, during which we will clean the Hab, treat ourselves to some pancakes, and have a longer sports session than our daily workout.

Next week, we will begin working on the Photogrammerty experiment at a first location (to be determined). The study will require 3 EVAs over the course of Week 2.

Anomalies in work: Suits 3, 4, 6 (see Operations Report for details)

Weather: Some clouds, low 5°C, high 20°C

Crew Physical Status: Nominal

EVA: None

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist’s Report, GreenHab Report, Operations Report, Photos (6-8 pics)

Support Requested: NA

* "Ami" means friend in French

Crew 292 Sol Summary Report 16-02-2024
Sol: Sol 12
Summary Title: Mangalyatri Crew 292 finishes its rotation at MDRS
Author’s name: Annalea Beattie
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Summary Activity: We finish our simulation today so we are very busy. Clare cooked pancakes and we all were up early(ish). This morning we cleaned and cleaned every corner of the station. We scrubbed everything even under the cupboards in the kitchen. The Science Dome and The Green Hab are spotless. Downstairs the equipment and the area are sparkling. It is incredible really what teamwork can do. Again, we debated where to put biodegradable wipes. Should they be burnt or ? In the end that decision belongs to our engineer who says biodegradable wipes are not paper and are No Burn. That word ‘biodegradable’ is deceptive. Further research and more action needed on this. This morning (after midnight) I also finished our End of Mission Report. We all worked so hard for days to write this and my bad as I missed seeing the word limit on the mission support email. In fact, our actual report with everyone’s research in it is more than twenty pages. So I had to summarise to the short report. We are all happy with the long report however. We decided to turn it into a conference paper as we have really nailed in writing the conceptual breadth and depth of our research here, as well as a real sense of our time together in a simulated Mars environment. What a stunning crew and brilliant work. After lunch we will drive past Skyline Rim to the Valley of the Stars and to the box canyon quarry at White Cliffs, to see at close range authigenic gypsum in the Sommerville.
Look Ahead Plan: Across disciplines we have lots of plans for the Ladakh station to process and a conference paper to submit. We will meet in a few weeks. Mangalyatri Crew 292 will continue to work together. On to Mars Mangalyatri!
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Early, 51% cloud cover, 30F and high humidity. There was a 5% chance of precipitation. This afternoon the maximum is 51F with 39% humidity.
Crew Physical Status: Nominal
EVA: none
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist Report, Green Hab Report, Operations Report, End-of-Mission Report.
Support Requested: None

Crew 293 Sol Summary Report 18-02-2024

Sol: 0

Summary Title: Into Familiar Unknowns

Author’s name: Marie Delaroche, Crew Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

Crew 293 has safely arrived on site ! After more than a year of careful preparation and training, we arrived at midday on campus and were trained by Ben Stanley, the site manager. Great care was taken as we unpacked all scientific equipment brought to MDRS all the way from France; we are ready as of tomorrow to start setting up our experiments in the different modules.

Look Ahead Plan: After receiving training from Ben Stanley, we are ready to complete the two training EVAs on Sol 1, after which we will be cleared to program additional EVAs if all goes well.

Anomalies in work: Both observatories offline

Weather: Sunny, low 0°C, high 15°Cs

Crew Physical Status: Nominal

EVA: None

Reports to be filed: Crew biographies, photos, and mission patch, Mission plan, HSO Pre-Mission Checklist, EVA Requests, Journalist report (supplementary)

Support Requested:

-> We would need a small table and chair to put in the GreenHab for an experiment (taking cognitive tests in different areas of the station); would that be something that could be provided?

-> We would like to request authorization to start the Seeds of Mars experiment (as part of our scientific outreach initiative in middle schools) in the GreenHab; it consists in planting seeds in soil sampled during EVAs, and comparing the plants’ growth to that of other seeds planted in regular soil.

-> Maps and 24-hour network information has been received.

Crew 293 Sol Summary Report 19-02-2024

Sol: 1

Summary Title: Crew 293’s first steps on Mars : Welcome to the magnificent Red Planet

Author’s name: Marie Delaroche, Crew Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

On this first Sol, we’ve officially entered the simulation; after some crew pictures taken by Ben in front of the Hab, and a last run around the station, Léa, our Crew Astronomer, closed the Main Airlock door to signify the beginning of the sim. With no time to lose, the crew got ready for the first training EVA involving four crew members, which was a success: communication between HabCom and the EVA crew is good, rules and guidelines are clear. As a result, the additional objectives of scouting a location for the atmospheric instruments and collecting sample for the “Seed of Mars” outreach experiment were also reached! The second training EVA, involving the remaining crewmembers in the afternoon, was also successful. A formal debrief time after each training EVA ensured all questions were answered and issues addressed. Other successes : Léa was able to turn on the 3D printer, which will be useful in case of breakage of parts from the atmospheric instruments. She and Mathurin, the GreenHab Officer, are also mapping the GreenHab to keep track of the plants left by the previous crew. Leo, our Crew Engineer, has successfully deployed a local network for all crewmembers to have access to central files vital to the mission. All inventories have been successfully completed, and the building of atmospheric instruments is well underway.

It’s great to see how dedicated and focused the crew is, showcasing flawless performance thus far!

Look Ahead Plan:

Sol 2 will be dedicated to ongoing studies and experiments deployment, most notably Orbital Architecture, EchoFinder and the atmospheric instruments. The latter are being built in the RAM and are scheduled to collect measurements until Sol 2. Our plan is to deploy the LOAC and a weather station during an EVA on Sol 3, then to deploy MegaAres and the field mill on Sol 4. We will be watching the weather closely during the next 48 hours.

Anomalies in work: Solar observatory offline

Weather: Sunny, high 15°C, low 5°C

Crew Physical Status: Nominal

EVA: Training EVAs : EVA #1 and #2

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist’s Report, GreenHab Report, Operations Report, Photos (6-8 pics), EVA Reports (2).

Support Requested: None

Crew 292 Sol Summary Report 14-02-2024

Sol: Sol 10

Summary Title: Charismatic Candor Chasma

Author’s name: Annalea Beattie

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Summary Activity: Our crew began the day with breakfast together and then split up to write up their research results and prepare for the EVA to Candor Chasma. I stayed upstairs in the kitchen and as I began cooking dahl and coconut rice for our lunch, the high standard of cooking set by the rest of our crew was what was on my mind. I might have mentioned the Indian food on this crew has been brilliant to date. And we are 100 per cent vegetarian, not even eating eggs! Good food will be important when we leave this planet to live off-Earth.

The EVA crew left at 1.30 pm for Candor Chasma with instructions about driving on the bumpy road, the rover batteries, the cliffs, where to go, what to do, be careful, be careful. Candor Chasma is almost out of the hab radio range, not quite, and it is a different kind of environment to anything some of our team have experienced on EVA’s so far. The Chasma is spectacular and has pink, rippled sand and high cliffs. Especially charismatic is the Sommerville formation with its strange, thin, multi-coloured parallel bedding. Overall it’s an amazing place to visit. While our EVA team was away, Clare sorted her rock samples into the different locations so that they will be returned to their homes tomorrow. I wrote reports all afternoon, no time for drawing and Bharti wrote up her results. Our EVA crew returned on time at 4.30, elated. They completed their science objectives and had time to walk along the base of the canyon before coming home. Mehnaz and Daniel left for the Science Dome after a short rest to do a targeted PCR and DNA extraction. Clare gave Rajvi a comprehensive lesson on gypsum at the kitchen table. Aditya had a rest and is now working on his images from the robotic observatory. Bharti and I continued report writing. And soon, more good Indian cooking for dinner.

Look Ahead Plan: Two EVA’s requested tomorrow- #12 EVA to the left and right of the road at Marble Ritual and Pooh’s Corner and #13 EVA in the afternoon to Cowboy Corner and Cow Dung Rd.

Anomalies in work: None

Weather: Cloudy day with winds SSE of 12mph. Fairly warm this afternoon, in comparison to last week’s daily temperatures, with a maximum today of 50F. 1% chance of precipitation.

Crew Physical Status: Nominal

EVA: EVA #11 to Candor Chasma.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist Report, Green Hab Report, Operations Report, EVA report, EVA request.

Support Requested: None