Operations Report – April 21st

Crew 192 Operations Report 20Apr2018

SOL 13

Name of person filing report: Richard Blakeman

Non-nominal systems: Upper deck faucet leak continues.

Generator (hours run): 12 hours

Solar ‒ SOC 100%

Diesel – 75% fuel

Propane – 60% (telemetry reported by Shannon) psi.

Ethanol Free Gasoline (5 Gallon containers for ATV) – 25% gas left in one can.

Water (trailer) – Empty water tank secure on Trailer.
Water (static) – 500 gallons (two external tanks)
Trailer to Static Pump used – No
Water (loft) – Static to Loft Pump used – Yes
Water Meter: 133860.0

Toilet tank emptied: Yes. Last emptied today, April 21.

ATV’s Used: None

Oil Added? No

ATV Fuel Used: None

# Hours the ATVs were Used today: 0

Notes on ATVs: All working and ready to use.

Deimos rover used: No (decommissioned)
Hours: 122.3
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: Yes

Sojourner rover used: ASSIGNED TO DIRECTOR
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging:

Spirit rover used: No
Hours: 32.8 (corrected)
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: Yes

Opportunity rover used: No
Hours: 30.4
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: Yes

Curiosity rover used: No
Hours: 27.4
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: No

HabCar used and why, where? Yes, dinner with incoming crew and water runs.

General notes and comments: Last minute cleaning and tasks to prepare hab for incoming crew.

Summary of internet: 0MB at 1900.

Summary of suits and radios: All suits and radios cleaned, charged, and prepped for incoming crew.

Summary of Hab operations: Worked through departure checklist.

Summary of GreenHab operations: See GreenHab Report.

Summary of ScienceDome operations: None

Summary of RAM operations: None

Summary of health and safety issues: None

Questions, concerns, and requests to Mission Support: None

Sol Summary – April 21st

Crew 192 Sol Summary Report 21Apr2018

Sol 13

Summary Title: Prepare for Departure

Author: Victoria Varone

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary: We welcomed Crew 193 to the hab and gave them an introduction and orientation to Mars life.

Look Ahead Plan: Departure and adjusting to life back on Earth.

Anomalies in Work: None

Weather: Beautiful

Crew Physical Status: All crew are physically healthy and safe.

EVA: None

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

Support Requested: Please remove Joe, Ashok, and Andreea from Mission Support emails. Keep Victoria and Richard on for the duration of Crew 193’s rotation.

Maintenance request: New lock for Musk Observatory and fluorescent lights for lower deck of hab.

Greenhab Report – April 21st

GreenHab Report
Name: Andreea Radulescu
Date: 21 Apr 2018

Environmental control:

Ambient with door open
Shade cloth: on
Fan: not on.

Average temperatures: 25.1℃
Low 13.6℃
High 53.2℃

Hours of supplemental light: None

Changes to crops: None

Daily water usage for crops: 9 gal

Time(s) of watering for crops: Twice: In the morning around 7:45 am and afternoon 4:30pm.

Moringa research observations: None

Changes to research plants: No

Aquaponics: None

Narrative: No significant changes. There is a batch of tomatoes ready to be harvested by the next crew.

Support/supplies needed: None

Crew 192 – Final Mission Summary

MDRS Crew 192 End of Mission Report

Joseph Dituri, Mission Commander                                                                     April 20, 2018

Crew 192 was on site MDRS from 7-22 April 2018. The crew consisted of Victoria Varone, Richard Blakeman, Andreea Radulescu, Ashok Narayanamoorthi and Joseph Dituri.  We are all Citizen Scientist-Astronaut Candidates of Project PHEnOM. Out team emerges from varying walks of life, three different countries as well as myriad backgrounds with the common interest of space exploration. We have been preparing for this particular mission for the past 18 months since induction into Project PHEnOM.

Over the course of 19 EVAs we explored the areas marked in black on Figure 1.  A moderate portion of our exploration was performed on foot as the rovers and ATVs were not extensively used. A significant portion of our EVA time was dedicated to completing missions toward improving the MARS Society Habitat including: removal of the skirt from around the HAB, cleaning the water tanks from contamination, cleaning and clearing gear adrift from foul weather / high winds, repaired stair railing, repaired latch & hasp on door, and tied down loose equipment.

Figure 1. EVA Exploration Routes

We remained in simulation for the entire period of time sans synchronous communication with onsite mission control. We lived with and cooked with whatever we started the mission and made a superb effort to live as Martians despite some unexpected extreme weather including gale winds, freeze and fire warning. The crew remained in great sprits throughout and enjoyed our time at MDRS. We conducted a significant amount of training during the down time and enjoyed erudition from each of our crew’s vast experience.

This crew has performed magnificently despite the challenges of having most of the original science and engineering projects removed from the mission prior to mission start. The crew pooled their individual and collective talents and has shown incredible resourcefulness, creativity, imagination, and teamwork to develop multiple real-world science and engineering research and experiments. The following projects were conducted during our stay:

Spacesuit visor fogging study This research was conducted using a double-blind study to test Johnson’s baby shampoo and Joy dishwashing fluid and their effectiveness against spacesuit visor fogging. Both one-piece and two-piece (separate helmet) spacesuit configurations were tested along with random controls to identify variables and collect data. A rapid review of the data suggested that exertion increased fogging in both one piece and two-piece suits.  Initial indications suggest that the baby shampoo had slightly superior results in fog reduction.  Both products appear to have minor irritation of the nose as reported by some people but there may be confounding factors surround the irritation.

Hand exercises using hand relief, well-being balls. This research was conducted as a single blind study to test the use of well-being balls for hand exercise before EVA determining the dexterity and comfort of hands. After few measurements, this study was discontinued as the exercises were creating discomfort for the crew and impacted operation.

Crew wellness observations This is survey-based study using the Well-being questionnaire before, during and the end of the study to measure the happiness scale of the crew.  This is on going and will continue after we leave MDRS.

Crew weight measurements and analysis (EVA) Daily weight measurements were taken along with the pre and post EVA analysis. Preliminary results indicated the weight loss after EVA is proportional with duration of EVA and physical exertion.  Unable to stipulate the primary cause but the doctor recommended sufficient hydration and caloric intake before and after each EVA.

Crew muscle measurements Daily crew skeletal measurements including deltoid and calf muscles were taken. Preliminary analysis show reduction in deltoid muscle in majority of the crew. This appears to be due to continuous depletion of glycogen storage.

Use of MAGs during EVA Crew wearing MAGs (Maximum Absorbency Garments) before every EVA and their feedback were obtained. Initial results show slight discomfort with long duration EVA but helpful in extending the duration of EVA.

Ultrasonic rodent repulsion experiment Three off the shelf plug-in ultrasonic rodent repulsion emitters were placed in the lower habitat, crew quarters deck, and the upper level deck. There were two intrusions of rodents during the mission located on the crew living deck near the refrigerator and the ceiling area of the HAB. A trap was baited with a small piece of bread coated with peanut butter and the intruding rodent was captured unharmed. On a subsequent EVA the rodent was released on Galileo Road (Route 1104). An additional rodent intruder was discovered during the night in the south-side, upper level, interface between the wall and the habitat roof structure. The intruder rodent was caught in a glue trap and did not survive. The initial conclusion is that the ultrasonic rodent repulsion emitters are ineffective. Physical traps should be continuously deployed to capture intruder rodents and additional repulsion technologies tested.

Astronomy discussions and visual observations Conducted night time observational astronomy lectures describing various constellations and planets. The crew was able to observe several satellites and wonder at the incredible view of the heavens above. Additionally, conducted daytime solar observations using the MDRS solar telescope array. However, computer interface issues and some clouds affected viewing. Some imagery was obtained using the optical sun lens and a smart phone.

Geology observations conducted during EVAs Each EVA offered a rich and immersive experience into the local geology. Close physical inspection of structures as well as photographic and video imagery was taken for later discussion and analysis.

EVA touch screen glove testing The crew brought several types of touch pad sensitive gloves to use during EVAs. These proved to be an invaluable tool for the crews as it allowed direct interface with multiple touch screen electronic recording devices. Recommend that these be used by future crew to assist with video and photographic imagery.

Water contamination prevention and mitigation procedures All of the habitat water storage tanks were meticulously cleaned and sanitized over the course of many days to remove any contamination and tank residue; additionally, multiple fresh water transport and loading runs to and from Hanksville was accomplished by the crew. The water transfer pump was also meticulously clean to prevent future contamination. The main water filter was also replaced by the crew.

Yuri’s night distilled spirits experiment We used a partial ration of our potatoes, apples and bananas as well as yeast and sugar to force the distillation of a celebratory spirit which was both a crew morale booster and a fascinating chemistry experiment. The process took several days to complete and the resulting product was equally distributed to each crewmember in a celebratory toast to the accomplishments of Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin for becoming the first human in space April 12, 1961.

Spacesuit hydration prototype system operational testing and evaluation An experimental prototype EVA hydration system was constructed and operationally tested on multiple EVAs both mounted and dismounted. This system has shown promising results as it can be utilized while operating a rover, ATV, as well as dismounted EVAs. Astronaut hydration, particularly during heavy exertion, is an important physiological need and critical to crew safety.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the MDRS and learned a few things about analogs. Our crew was well prepared for this mission. Given the significant experience of the crew, more autonomy and decision-making authority, as would be expected on a mission to Mars with a Mission Support some 140,000,000 miles away, would have improved our simulation.

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