Crew Photos
Crew Photos – December 3rd
Journalist Report – December 3rd
Crew 216 Journalist Report 03-DEC-19
Sol 9
Author: Evgenia Alexandrova
Long martian days are about discussions and getting to know each other. We are basically six strangers who happened to love space and applied for MDRS over a year ago. We keep steadily learn from each other and our discussions become more and more profound and personal. But in the end, it all comes down to a human factor no matter on which planet you are. People is all we have and hopefully we won’t end up talking to furniture here, and as one of the crewmembers stated today:
“When you start giving anthropomorphic characteristics to a piece of equipment, life gets harder”
And another crewmember wrote this today:
Martian landscape burning bright
In sol system, 4th small light
What untold view of human eye
Could scry thy red ‘neath open sky
In chasms gasping towards the skies
Burnt out cones of ancient fires
Within our heart such dreams to beat
Of Martian dust on human feet
Astronomy Report – December 3rd
Crew 216 Astronomy Report 03-DEC-19
Crew Astronomer: Michael Ho
MDRS ROBOTIC OBSERVATORY
Robotic Telescope Requested: MDRS-14
Objects to be Imaged this Evening: The Great Orion Nebula, The Crab Nebula, Bubble Nebula
Images submitted with this report: nil
Problems Encountered: nil
MUSK OBSERVATORY
Solar Features Observed: None.
Images submitted with this report: nil
Problems Encountered: Nil.
Greenhab Report – December 3rd
Crew 216 GreenHab Report 03-DEC-19
Crew GreenHab Officer: Michael Ho
Environmental control: Door opened for ventilation at 12.10 pm, closed at 5.00 pm.
Average temperature: 18C
Hours of supplemental light: Automatic system
Daily water usage for crops: 18L
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: nil
Water in Blue Tank – enough
Time(s) of watering for crops: 09.45 am; 4.45 pm.
SEASONAL PLANTING HISTORY:
(Plants introduced since 03/11/2019 till 22/11/2019 please refer to Crew 215 GreenHab Report of 22/11/2019.)
Crew 216:
26/11/2019:
1 avocado seed in small black pot
24/11/2019:
1 avocado seed in small black pot
23/11/2019:
seeded Zucchini in 2 large black pots
seeded Chilli Pepper ‘Shishito’ in 2 2-gallon black pots
seeded Sweet Greenfield Pepper ‘California Wonder’ in 2 2-gallon black pots seeded Swiss Chard ‘Flamingo Pink’ in 4 2-gallon black pots
transplanted three self-seeded tomato plants in large blue tub transplanted to 2-gallon pots
OTHER NOTES:
1st sprouts:
Zucchini – 1 of 2 pots;
Sweet Peppers – 1 of 4 pots;
Tomatoes – 3 more pots – making a total of 4 of 6 pots;
Harvest: None
Support/supplies requested:nil.
“You cannot change the course of the wind, but you can adjust your sails.”
EVA Report – December 3rd
Crew 216 EVA Report 03-Dec-2019
EVA # 13
Author: Whittle
Purpose of EVA: In-situ fluorescent mineral survey. Per agreement with the director, this EVA extended into low light and was therefore partial sim (flight suits only). No photos/videos were taken. Start time for EVA: 1700
End time for EVA: 1820
Narrative: Drove to Robert’s Rock Garden, inspected sites found on EVA 12. Proof of concept completed and a number of samples collected for lab analysis. Returned to Hab via same route.
Destination: Kissing Camel Ridge (Robert’s Rock Garden)
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12 S 0518364 4249273.
EVA Participants: Lawson, Whittle, Kennedy
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) Drove from Hab to Robert’s Rock Garden via Cow Dung Road
2) Explored Robert’s Rock Garden to mark (GPS) locations for EVA 13 3) Returned to Hab via same route
Mode of travel: Curiosity, Spirit
EVA Report – December 3rd
Crew 216 EVA Report 03-Dec-2019
EVA # 12
Author: Whittle
Purpose of EVA: Reconnaissance for EVA 13 (evening EVA)
Start time for EVA: 0830
End time for EVA: 0915
Narrative: Drove to Robert’s Rock Garden, found 4 sites for evening inspection in vicinity of rovers (<10m from road). All sites marked with GPS and track recorded to annotate map for nighttime navigation. Returned to Hab via same route.
Destination: Kissing Camel Ridge (Robert’s Rock Garden)
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12 S 0518364 4249273.
EVA Participants: Lawson, Whittle, Alexandrova
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) Drive from Hab to Robert’s Rock Garden via Cow Dung Road
2) Explore Robert’s Rock Garden to mark (GPS) locations for EVA 13 3) Return to Hab via same route
Mode of travel: Curiosity, Spirit
Research Report – December 3rd
Crew 216 Research Report 3-Dec-2019
Sol 9
Submitted by: Whittle
1) Psych Scale (TAMU IRB2019-1042D) – 3rd stage surveys to take place on Wednesday.
2) Medical Casts – powder was dehydrated with 400 degree Celsius treatment. Samples were taken before and after dehydration to evaluate total water loss by weight. Powder will be rehydrated into molds to evaluate breaking points tomorrow or Thursday pending success of standardized mold.
3) In-Situ Fluorescent Mineral Prospecting – EVA was successful with several samples obtained. Further evaluation will be done in Hab in a controlled dark room and compared against reference materials.
4) MDRS Mapping – Nothing further to report.
5) MDRS Communications – No new developments on this project today.
Operations Report – December 3rd
Crew 216 Operations Report 03 Dec-19
SOL: 9
Name of person filing report: Mike Lawson
Non-nominal systems: NA
Generator: run
Hours run: 11.6
From what time last night: 1925
To what time this morning: 0657
List any additional daytime hours when the generator was run: N/A Solar— SOC % (Before generator is run at night: 59 %
Diesel Reading – 35
Station Propane Reading – 53
Ethanol Free Gasoline: N/A
Water (loft tank) (gal): 47
Water Meter (units): 1464585
Water (static tank) (gal): 236
Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Water in Green Hab (gal): 251
Water in Science Dome (gal): 0
Toilet tank emptied: no
Deimos rover used: no
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging:
Sojourner rover used:
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging:
Spirit rover used: yes x 2
Hours: 115.8; 116
Beginning charge: (Before EVA): 100; 100
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): 81%; 79% Currently charging:
Opportunity rover used: no
Hours: 68.7
Beginning charge: 100
Ending charge: 100
Currently charging: yes
Curiosity rover used: yes x 2
Hours: 120.8; 121
Beginning charge: 100; 100
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before charging): 77%; 85% Currently charging: yes
Notes on rovers: Opportunity to be moved off-site for maintenance. ATV’s Used: (Honda, 300, 350.1, 350.2, 350.3): no
Reason for use: N/A
Oil Added? no
# Hours the ATVs were used today: 0
Notes on ATVs:
HabCar used and why, where?
CrewCar used and why, where?
General notes and comments: EVA to Kissing Camel Ridge, rehearsal and prep for afternoon low light
EVA. UV mineral survey sites identified. Low light EVA provided proof of concept, samples collected for further analysis.
Summary of internet: No serious issues.
Summary of suits and radios: No issues.
Summary of Hab operations: Routine maintenance and housekeeping tasks. New hot water tank installation caused an electrical problem with the generator; HW system shut down at the direction of the Director; system later repaired and switched to propane.
Summary of GreenHab operations: routine watering.
Summary of Science Dome operations: Gypsum processing near final stage. Summary of RAM operations: RAM Rover power charging stations inop, electrical issues remain unresolved.
Summary of any observatory issues: NA
Summary of health and safety issues: NA
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: 2 bag NB, 1 bag B type trash in the rear airlock.
Commander Report – December 3rd
Crew 216 Commander Report 03-DEC-2019
Sol: 9
Summary Title: A major accomplishment
Author: Marc Levesque
Crew 216 completed a long awaited survey of radioactive ores and minerals using an ultraviolet (UV) light source in support of Mike’s project. As he noted in his project plan, Martian colonists will have to exploit local resources to survive and thrive on Mars, and UV searches can identify possible sources of rare-earth ores, radioactive ores, and other useful minerals, such as industrial gemstones for cutting, polishing, and abrasive processes. Traditional rock sampling, either by chipping rock faces or cone and quartering, would net only small samples (kilogram or smaller scale). An in-situ UV search of a rock-face or a gravel deposit can rapidly scan many tons of material in a matter of minutes. If a target “lights up,” it can then be sampled for further analysis in the Hab. The timing of this activity comes at an optimal time, as the crew’s time on station is rapidly diminishing with only three more sols left on the mission.
Sol Summary – December 3rd
Crew 216 Sol Summary Report 03-DEC-19
Sol: 9
Summary Title: Ore and mineral survey project
Author: Marc Levesque
Mission Status: Active
Sol Activity Summary: Two EVAs were conducted in support of a radioactive ore and mineral survey. In the morning, Mike, Evgenia, and Rich conducted a reconnaissance of the area around Robert’s Rock Garden to identity optimal sites for the evening EVA. The second EVA team of Rich, Andrew and Mike then undertook the survey using an ultraviolet light source in shortwave UV mode.
Look Ahead Plan: Two EVAs are planned. One is to continue filming for Evgenia’s project at Phobos Peak. The second, weather permitting, is to set up a radio repeater to attempt an amateur radio contact with the International Space Station that will be directly overhead the MDRS in the early afternoon.
Anomalies in work: N/A.
Weather: Clear and cold.
Crew Physical Status: Healthy
EVAs: To Robert’s Rock Garden (twice).
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary Report, Commander Report, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Research Report, EVA Report, Astronomy Report, and Photos.
Support Requested: None
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