Category: Sol Summary

Crew 215 Sol Summary Report 17-NOV-2019
Sol: 7
Summary Title: Day of Rest
Author’s name: Andrew Wheeler

Mission Status: Active

Sol Activity Summary: Today was a day off where not only the batteries got to recharge.
Personal chores and inactivity marked our day as we relaxed our way to the evening meal and the daily link with CapCom. It’s nice to be on Mars soaking in the grandeur.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow sees a long-range emergency retrieval simulation EVA in the afternoon. The morning will see the gypsum cement experiments kick into full attention with the completion of the sampling and dismantling of the micrometeorite grid.

Anomalies in work: N/A.

Weather: Just freezing overnight, light winds, clear skies.

Crew Physical Status: Healthy

EVA: N/A

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary Report, Operations Report, EVA Report, Journalist Report, Photo of the Day.

Support Requested: Resupply for plain flour and milk, trash removal

[title Sol Summary – November 16th]

[category sol-summary]

Crew 215 Sol Summary Report 16-NOV-2019
Sol: 6
Summary Title: Data Consolidation
Author’s name: Andrew Wheeler
Mission Status: Active
Sol Activity Summary: The previous evening’s emergency drill has provided valuable
insights for the development of procedures applicable to operations in remote and
isolated locations. It was very satisfying to know we could carry out the tasks needed
to successfully complete the recovery. The morning allowed time to respond to questions
sent in from Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. It was a challenge. The Green
Hab continues to thrive with new herb and vegetable shoots appearing daily. After
lunch, Shane, Larissa and Guy returned to the micrometeorite sample grid in the stream
wash at MM5 (518462E 4248949N) where the remaining 36 samples were collected. We have
now sampled 100% of the grid and it has been retrieved. Dinner was a reheated rendition
of a Thai green curry from the previous evening and very welcome.
Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow sees a day off for all crew with personal and hab chores to
be done. From Monday, Eva activities will wind back as data consolidation intensifies as
we move closer to rotation end.
Anomalies in work: N/A.
Weather: Marginally below freezing overnight, no wind, clear skies.
Crew Physical Status: Healthy
EVA: Micrometeorite sampling EVA. See EVA report
Reports to be file: Sol Summary Report, Operations Report, Science Report, GreenHab
Report, EVA Report, Journalist Report, Daily Photos.
Support Requested: N/A

Crew 215 Sol Summary Report 15-NOV-2019

Sol: 5

Summary Title: Practice Rescue Day

Author’s name: Andrew Wheeler

Mission Status: Active

Sol Activity Summary: Another early departure EVA for this sol had again returning to

the micrometeorite sample grid in the stream wash at MM5 (518462E 4248949N). We

collected another 24 samples before returning to the hab for lunch. 64% of the plots

have now been sampled. With only 36 samples to go, we will have completed the second of

the micrometeorite sampling grids and allow flux rate comparisons to be made between

undisturbed surfaces and accumulation surfaces. The afternoon was spent processing the

micrometeorite grid samples and grinding gypsum for cement experimentation. An

emergency response simulation was carried out at 1700 in which an EVA was carried out

to retrieve an unresponsive Marstronaut. This was successfully carried out by 1725.

Following an extensive debrief, dinner was very welcome as adrenaline levels returned

to normal.

Look Ahead Plan: Planning an EVA to MM5 (518462E 4248949N) to continue collection of

micrometeorite samples (see EVA request), continue preparing gypsum for cement

manufacture and Green Hab operations. Continue monitoring of psycho-social stressors.

Anomalies in work: N/A.

Weather: Marginally below freezing overnight, light winds, partly cloudy.

Crew Physical Status: Healthy

EVA: Micrometeorite sampling EVA. See EVA report

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary Report, Operations Report, Science Report, GreenHab

Report, EVA Request, EVA Report, Journalist Report, Daily Photos.

Support Requested: N/A

Crew 215 Sol Summary Report 13-NOV-2019
Sol: 3
Summary Title: A birthday on Mars.
Author’s name: Andrew Wheeler
Mission Status: Active
Sol Activity Summary: Sol 3 had Jennifer wake to a Martian birthday. After a special pancake breakfast, activity in the GreenHab occupied our attention. During this time we were advised of a possible G1 storm the might affect us on the 16/17th. Though we were being filmed and videoed for publicity, we continued with our data collection and preparations for experiments. Equipment designed to retrieve a disabled marstronaut was laid out in preparation for practice. If approved, we will be working through this scenario at the end of the engineering EVA tomorrow. The afternoon saw us returning to the White Moon location (517724E 4254500N) at the junction of Brahe Hwy and Cow Dung
Road where we retrieved gypsum for further experimentation. Unfortunately, our prior activities had been closely monitored and, on arrival, we found that wheel tracks had cut through our previous sample locations and across our boot prints. On return to the hab, Opportunity rover displayed a warning light and cut power 200m from the hab, meaning that the EVA ended on foot. This evening saw a special dinner of focaccia, soup and birthday cake for Jennifer.
Look Ahead Plan: Planning an EVA to MM5 (518462E 4248949N) to resume collection of micrometeorite samples and a demonstration of returning a disable marstronaut into the hab during the afternoon engineering EVA. See EVA requests. Continue monitoring of psycho-social stressors.
Anomalies in work: Opportunity depowered during EVA return to hab.
Weather: Marginally below freezing overnight, light winds, clear skies.
Crew Physical Status: Healthy
EVA: Gypsum sampling EVA. See EVA report
Reports to be file: Sol Summary Report, Operations Report, Science Report, GreenHab
Report, EVA Request, EVA Report, Journalist Report, Daily Photos.
Support Requested: N/A

Crew 215 Sol Summary Report 12-NOV-2019
Sol: 2
Summary Title: Experimenting gathers pace.
Author’s name: Andrew Wheeler
Mission Status: Active
Sol Activity Summary: Sol 2 saw an intensification of our data collecting. More plants were sown in the Green Hab, acoustic samples were acquired throughout the hab, a site analysis of the hab layout work was undertaken and, in the morning, an EVA to the MM5 site (518462E 4248949N) allowed us to complete deploying the sampling grid and collect the first 10 samples. In the afternoon, the micrometeorite samples were processed and packaged for dispatch whilst the monitoring of psycho-social stressors in isolated environments continues. With the ingredients and equipment on hand we continue to create delicious though unusual cooked meals to keep us happy and healthy.
Look Ahead Plan: Return EVA to White Moon (517724E 4254500N) to collect further gypsum samples. See EVA request. Continue monitoring of psycho-social stressors.
Anomalies in work: N/A
Weather: Marginally below freezing overnight, no breeze, clear skies.
Crew Physical Status: Healthy
EVA: Reconnaissance EVA. See EVA report
Reports to be file: Sol Summary Report, Operations Report, Science Report, GreenHab Report, EVA Request, EVA Report, Journalist Report, Daily Photos.
Support Requested: N/A

Crew 215 Sol Summary Report 11-NOV-2019
Sol: 1
Summary Title: Operational
Author’s name: Andrew Wheeler

Mission Status: Active

Sol Activity Summary: First sol on Mars saw us hitting the ground running. After a morning brief, we headed south of the hab in search of locations for setting up a sampling grid for micrometeorites and a source of hydrated minerals. No locations for hydrated minerals were identified, however two sites MM5 (518462E 4248949N) and MM6
(519990E 4248036N) for a sampling grid were identified and a grid established at MM5.

This being Remembrance or Armistice Day, activity was interrupted at 1100 with one minute’s silence for the fallen. Lest We Forget. Back at the Hab, the afternoon was spent preparing for fully deploying the sampling grid, troubleshooting space suits and preliminary monitoring of psycho/social stressors in isolated environments. A curry dinner followed by fruit salad rounded out our day.

Look Ahead Plan: Science EVA to MM5 site to set out of the micrometeorite sampling
grid. Monitoring of psycho/social stressors.

Anomalies in work: N/A

Weather: Marginally below freezing overnight, slight breeze, clear skies.

Crew Physical Status: Healthy

EVA: Reconnaissance EVA. See EVA report

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary Report, Operations Report, Science Report, GreenHab Report, EVA Request, EVA Report, Journalist Report, Daily Photos.

Support Requested: See Operations Report

[title Sol Summary – November 9th]

[category sol-summary]

Sol:13
Summary Title: New Crew Arrives
Author’s name: Guy Murphy
Mission Status: Simulation mode ended first light this morning.
Sol Activity Summary: Two of the crew members travelled to Grand Junction this morning to collect the new crew. After stopping at Hanksville for lunch, the four new crew members Steve Whitfield, Jennifer Lane, Shane Usher and Larissa Wilson arrived at the MDRS at around 3pm. The remainder of the afternoon was spent settling them into the campus. In the evening, the crew put on a special dinner for the new crew, Shannon, Atila and David.
Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow Sandy Dance and Dianne McGrath will depart the station and orientation of the new crew will occur in preparation for commencing the full simulation on Monday morning.
Anomalies in work: –
Weather: Another sunny, clear day on Mars
Crew Physical Status: Crew in excellent health.
EVA: None undertaken
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Operations Report.
Support Requested: None

Sol:12

Summary Title: Final Day on Mars

Author’s name: Guy Murphy

Mission Status: Final day in full simulation mode before waking up on Earth again tomorrow morning.

Sol Activity Summary: Today was dedicated to cleaning the campus infrastructure, including both levels of the Hab, the Science Dome and the RAM. Dianne completed her food waste data collection in evening. 3 cooked meals were prepared today.

Look Ahead Plan: Changeover to Crew 215 will occur tomorrow, with 4 new crew members arriving, and 2 departing on Sunday.

Anomalies in work: None

Weather: Another sunny, clear day on Mars

Crew Physical Status: Crew in excellent health.

EVA: None undertaken

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalists Report, Greenhab Report, Science Report,

Operations Reports, Photos.

Support Requested: None

Sol:10
Summary Title: Water from Stone
Author’s name: Guy Murphy

Mission Status: Active.

Sol Activity Summary: Today Andrew succeeded in extracting water from gypsum crystals in the Science Dome for the first time this mission. Collection of samples for the micro-meteorite study continued during the morning EVA. Various Hab maintenance tasks were undertaken. 3 cooked meals were prepared, with Sandy baking a second loaf of bread.
Look Ahead Plan: We hope to complete the micro-meteorite sample collection from the active sample site by Friday. We are also planning the checkout process for our crew members who are leaving.

Anomalies in work: Broke sim briefly at around 4 pm to speak with 2 unexpected visitors in the hab environs, who were in fact lost.

Weather: Clear sunny day, no precipitation.

Crew Physical Status: Crew continues to be in good health.

EVA: Successfully completed.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA Report, Journalists Report, Science Report, Greenhab Report, Operations Reports, Photos.

Support Requested: None.