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Journalist Report – May 17th

Hello Mission Control,

We started off the day bright and early with two EVAs back to back. We had one walking and one driving down to Zubrin’s Head to map the area for the topographical map and test out different rocks for the Geiger counter. While the crew members rotated the EVA other members prepared samples at the science dome and RAM, and tried working on the observatory. After the EVAs, we spent the day trying to make the map, working on code, and reading papers for the respective sub projects we are in. We also haven’t showered in a while, but hope to take showers tomorrow to celebrate a crew member’s birthday!

Best Regards,
Pari & the Bevonauts

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EVA Report – May 17th

Crew 299 EVA 5 Report 5-17-2024

EVA #5

Author: Noah Mugan

Purpose of EVA: Walking EVA around the hab to gather drone footage and survey the environment from the western hills.

Start Time: 8:35 AM

End Time: 9:10 AM

Narrative: The EVA team walked around the hab and piloted the drone around the surrounding airspace. Using the drone, they obtained footage for topography mapping and general photography. After landing the drone, they climbed the small slopes behind the hab to view and photograph the nearby terrain.

Destination: Hab

Coordinates: 518100, 4250900

EVA Participants: Noah (Biologist and Greenhab Officer), Rishabh (Engineer)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: None

Mode of travel: Walking

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Operations Report – May 17th

Crew 299 Operations Report 5-17-2024

SOL: 5

Name of person filing report: Rishabh Pandey (Engineer)

Non-Nominal Systems: Suit 9 (broken visor), Suit 11 (fan issue)

Notes on non-nominal systems: Issues with both suits were noted before our mission, both will not be used during our mission.

ROVERS
Rovers Used:
      Curiosity:
            Hours: 281.1
            Beginning charge: 95%
            Ending charge: 39%
            Currently charging: yes
      Opportunity:
            Hours: 188.8
            Beginning charge: 100%
            Ending charge: 51%
            Currently charging: yes
General notes on rovers: None

Summary of Hab operations:
      WATER USE: 35 Gallons, increased water usage from yesterday due to faulty spreadsheet equation
      Water (static tank): 274 (using effective value from spreadsheet)
      Static tank pipe heater: off
      Static tank heater: off
      Toilet tank emptied: no

Summary of internet usage: Catch up on Earthly news, email responses, code development, entertainment

Summary of suits and radios: Used Radios: 1,2,3,4,5,6, Suits: 7,8,10

Summary of GreenHab operations: NA, GreenHab out of operation

Summary of ScienceDome operations: More rock samples were made and an attempt was made to cut a rock but failed. Radishes were watered and checked in on, condition has improved.

Summary of RAM operations: Multimeter and Measuring tape used
      
Summary of observatory issues: NA

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EVA Report – May 17th

Crew 299 EVA 6 Report 5-17-2024

EVA #6

Author: Aravind Karthigeyan

Purpose of EVA: EVA to Zubrin’s Head in order to collect samples and test radioactivity of the environment.

Start Time: 11:24 AM

End Time: 1:02 PM

Narrative: The EVA team took Curiosity and Opportunity rovers down to Zubrin’s Head. The crew took some fun pictures to be uploaded to social media and for the journalist. The crew found some interesting petrified wood near the location. In addition we collected more samples such as a unique green pebble stuck to a crevice.

Destination: Zubrin’s Head

Coordinates:

519250, 4248500 (Zubrin’s Head)

EVA Participants: Pari (Commander), Kristina (HSO), Aravind (Chemist)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Taking Cow Dung Road 0110 to Zubrin’s Head

Mode of travel: Driving Opportunity + Walking

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Sol Summary – May 17th

Crew 299 Sol Summary 05-17-2024
Sol: 5
Summary Title: Funky Smelling Friday
Author’s Name: Prakruti "Pari" Raghunarayan
Mission Status: Active
Sol Activity Summary:

We had two EVAs today, one for drone mapping and the other one to test out the Geiger counter. We got some interesting samples and results by Zubrin’s head and the topological map is being made (in progress). We checked in on the science dome (the radishes, the samples, etc) and looked at the observatory and spent a considerable amount of time trying to reboot and readjust the code since it was giving us a lot of trouble due to computer issues. We also tried to power saw a previous rock we collected but it did not go according to plan. We need to figure out a new plan of action for the igneous rock.

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Operations Report – May 16th

Crew 299 Operations Report 5-16-2024

SOL: 4

Name of person filing report: Rishabh Pandey (Engineer)

Non-Nominal Systems: Suit 9 (broken visor), Suit 11 (fan issue)

Notes on non-nominal systems: Issues with both suits were noted before our mission, both will not be used during our mission.

ROVERS
Rovers Used: None
General notes on rovers:

Summary of Hab operations:
      WATER USE: 70.12 Gallons (septic tank cleaning might have caused this value to double from yesterday)
      Water (static tank): 309 (using effective value from spreadsheet)
      Static tank pipe heater: off
      Static tank heater: off
      Toilet tank emptied: yes

Summary of internet usage: Catch up on Earthly news, email responses, code development, entertainment

Summary of suits and radios: None used

Summary of GreenHab operations: NA, GreenHab out of operation

Summary of ScienceDome operations: Trimmed radish leaves in an attempt to stop a potential bacterial infection. Soil was checked again. Incident with vial breaking, all glass shards were safely secured and disposed.

Summary of RAM operations: Multimeter and Measuring tape used
      
Summary of observatory issues: NA

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Sol Summary – May 16th

Crew 299 Sol Summary 05-15-2024
Sol: 4
Summary Title: Man Down
Author’s Name: Prakruti "Pari" Raghunarayan
Mission Status: Active
Sol Activity Summary:

We started the morning by holding a debrief for our activities today. We had an incident where we suspect the septic fix broke into our water supply.Three of us spent the entire day in the science dome today. A crew member first started by going and checking on the radishes as was informed by another crew member yesterday that there was a little bacterial infection that we suspected. So we figured out that trimming the edges might be beneficial to stop the spread. Three of us trimmed the edges and started exfoliating the samples. We exfoliated the four samples we came in with (fine martian soil, unsorted martian soil, vermicompost, and potting soil). We then analyzed and exfoliated the samples we have collected the last few days (the ones we found by the chasm, compass rock, and marble ritual). We have a few patterns we have seen and are going to be further analyzing these. We did have a little incident where a mortar and pestle broke and a vial cracked as well. We created a sharps bag (double bagged) and will be dropping it off tonight for pickup.Another crew member worked on some personal code development with respect to the drone footage in order to generate 3D models for mapping. They also checked the water levels and attempted to trace back why the usage for the day was nearly double the day prior. The preliminary estimate is that the septic tank cleaning might have used the HAB water supply. Another crew member participated in a group meeting then got straight to coding for the Robotic Observatory images and continued after lunch. Another crew member was feeling ill this morning, however their fever broke.

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Journalist Report – May 16th

Hello Mission Control,

We started the morning by holding a team debrief. I went over the daily activities that our crew had to complete. Astronomy observatory hours, science dome research, water usage, and other tasks were discussed in todays meeting. Me, Noah, and Aravind spent the day analyzing samples we collected throughout our EVAs the last few days. We have found some patterns and are going to formally summarize it as soon as we are able to confirm our findings with already published papers. We had many productive hours. We came back for lunch and began reading papers related to the topics. Everyone spent the afternoon either analyzing and adjusting code or reading papers. We now await the stabilization of our XO’s health. Enjoy the overwhelming amount of science dome pictures!

Best,
Prakruti "Pari" Raghunarayan (Crew Commander, Journalist, & Bevonaut)

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EVA Report – May 15th

Crew 299 EVA 3 Report 5-15-2024

EVA #3

Author: Noah Mugan
Purpose of EVA: Visit Candor Chasma to test drone and obtain samples

Start Time: 8:55AM

End Time: 11:13AM

Narrative: The EVA team took rovers Spirit and Opportunity up to approximately 0.15 miles down Galileo Road. At that point, Spirit had reached a charge of 55% and they took the rest of the journey on foot. They walked down Galileo Road and past Compass point until they finally reached the closest section of Candor Chasma. There, the crew engineer piloted the drone to obtain pictures of the crew and the surrounding landscape, as well as test piloting and maneuverability. The EVA team also obtained several geological samples along the way, which were brought back for analysis. After a rest at Candor Chasma, the team walked back to the rovers and drove the rest of the way home. By the end of the trip, Spirit was left with a charge of 43% and Opportunity was left with a charge of 58%.

Destination: Candor Chasma

Coordinates: x = 520500, y = 4251250

EVA Participants: Rishabh (Engineer), Prakruti (Crew Commander & Journalist), Noah (Biologist and Greenhab Officer)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road, Galileo Road

Mode of travel: Drove Spirit and Opportunity+Walking

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Journalist Report – May 15th

Hello Mission Control,

We had an early start and a late end today. And albeit, a long day but at the end of the day it was satisfying to have done what we did today. We started the morning by gearing up. Me, Rishabh, and Noah left for our EVA at 9AM sharp and went all the way to Galileo Road, which was shorter than what we expected to drive since we wanted to reach the chasm. However, the rover battery was dying so we had to make an earlier stop and walk extra. We walked all the way to Candor Chasma and stopped at Compass Rock on the way. We got some great pictures! And when we reached the Candor Chasma we tested out the drone, mapped and filmed the area, and even took some other pictures. We then reached the hab before noon and had lunch. I then debriefed the crew for the rest of the day and some important progress points for the rest of the week. Then we broke for an hour and re-grouped to help the second EVA suit up. Noah stayed on comms while Aravind, Avery, and Kristina were out. The second EVA tested out some other equipment Throughout the day, we checked up on the science dome and the astronomy data. Now we will have dinner and do the psych evaluation.

We saw cow prints by the chasma today, it seemed almost fitting for us Longhorns. Bevonauts out!

Best,
Prakruti "Pari" Raghunarayan (Crew Commander & Journalist)