Crew Photos – January 18th
Commander Report – January 18th
Crew 219 Commander’s Report, 18-01-2020
Author: Dave Masaitis, Commander
SOL 13
Peace on Mars, and Goodwill To Crews
It was the Summer of 2017 when I spoke to Nathan on the phone and told him he should have a look at the MDRS website. He was busy with a summer internship in Tennessee, and asked me to give him a run-down. I told him it was a Mars analog in the Utah desert, and it could be a valuable resource for the members of our organization to send crews to evaluate our work. After some discussion, we both agreed that we should bring it to the rest of the membership in the fall with the intent of submitting an application. Three years and two MDRS missions later, and I am shaking hands with Commander Pandya of Crew 220, to transfer responsibility of the MDRS campus at sunset.
I took an out-of-sim hike up North Ridge with others from Crew 219 today, to show them the absolutely breathtaking view that Nathan, Hannah, and I had the pleasure of seeing as members of Crew 205. In their words it was another life-altering experience, but for me personally, it was finally an opportunity after quite a number of persistently busy years and back-to-back missions to stop and reflect. The air was clear, the sun was shining and there was a steady but light breeze from the northwest. It has been an extremely long road to this point, rife with challenges, but we made it. We all made it. We did it together, but I can no longer contain the pride and excitement that I feel having had the honor of leading the first All-Florida-Tech crew through this experience, especially knowing that more will follow.
We selected and trained an exceptional crew, who stayed motivated and cheerful while they accomplished a lion’s share of high-fidelity science and engineering. Their diligence and
professionalism is a testament to each of their characters, but their willingness to greet adversity with a smile and a laugh is a testament to their spirits. I am humbled to have shared this time with them, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of peers, friends, and colleagues.
This afternoon we had the opportunity to meet and train a new group of selected professionals, each with their own stories, capabilities, and expectations. I think I can speak for all of Crew 219 when I say that we are extremely excited to see the work that Crew 220 produces in their time here, so we have been doing everything we can to help them get up to speed and get situated for their time here. After I finish writing this, we will take pictures and eat dinner together, and by 0500 in the morning, we will be leaving this mission on Mars in their capable hands.
I am grateful to Dr. Robert Zubrin and Dr. Shannon Rupert for giving us this incredible opportunity. I am thankful for the diligence and hard work of Atila Meszaros and David Mateus as well as the slew of wonderful volunteers and members of CapCom and the Mars Society that provided us with knowledge and support along our journey. I am thankful for the support and encouragement provided by Florida Tech and our sponsors.
I am humbled and grateful, but not heartbroken. We did what we came here to do, and now it’s time to go. Now it’s time to return to Florida and prepare another crew. Now it’s time to embrace new challenges in exploration, both in the sky and the sea. Now it’s time to keep pushing the boundaries of human experience; to go where others will not, to see what we did not even know to look for.
Onward.
Dave Masaitis
Commander, Crew 219
GreenHab Report – January 18th
Crew 219 GreenHab Report 18-JAN-20
Crew GreenHab Officer: Cynthia Montanez
Environmental control: Heating.
Shade cloth (40% and 30%) on.
Average temperature: 19 °C
9:10 A.M.
Floor Unit: 14 °C
12:33 P.M.
Floor Unit: 27 °C
4:23 P.M.
Floor Unit: 16 °C
Hours of supplemental light: Light system 7:00PM-12:00AM.
Daily water usage for crops: 8.64 Gal.
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: N/A
Water in Blue Tank – 133.39 Gal.
Time(s) of watering for crops:
10:18 A.M.
SEASONAL PLANTING HISTORY:
Change to crops: N/A
OTHER NOTES:
1st sprouts: N/A
Harvest: At 12:22 P.M., 0.25 grams of marjoram, 1 gram thyme, 8 grams of sage, and 2 grams of chives were harvested.
Other: N/A
Operations Report – January 18th
Crew 219 Operations Report 18-JAN-2020
Sol: 13
Name of person filing report: Alejandro Perez
Non-nominal systems: N/A
Generator: Run
Hours run: 13.5
From what time last night: 17:30
To what time this morning: 07:00
List of any additional daytime hours when the generator was run: N/A
Solar- SOC% (Before the generator is run at night): 80%
10:00 = 95%; 11:00 = 93%; 12:30 = 91%; 13:45 = 90%; 15:30 = 86% 16:30 = 82%
Diesel Reading – 55%
Station Propane Reading- 29%
Ethanol Free Gasoline- N/A
Water (loft tank) (gal) – 50
Water Meter (units)- 0147887,4
Water (static tank) (gal) – 206
Static to loft Pump used –Yes
Water in Green Hab (gal): 133.39
Water in Science Dome (gal): 0
Toilet Tank Emptied –Yes
Diemos rover used: Still in the Work shop
Hours:
Beginning Charge:
End Charge:
Currently Charging:
Sojourner rover used: Assigned to Director
Hours:
Beginning Charge:
End Charge:
Currently Charging:
Spirit Rover used- No
Starting Hours: 126.4
Beginning Charge: 100%
Currently Charging: Yes
Ending Hours:
Ending Charge:
Opportunity Rover used: Still in workshop
Hours:
Beginning Charge:
Ending Charge:
Currently Charging:
Curiosity Rover used: No
Starting Hours: 132.4
Beginning Charge: 100%
Currently Charging: Yes
Ending Hours:
Ending Charge:
Notes on Rovers: Opportunity and Deimos off-site for maintenance.
ATV’s Used: (Honda, 300, 350.1, 350.2, 350.3): No
Reason for use:
Oil Added? No
# hours the ATV’s were used today:
Notes on ATVs:
Habcar used and why, where? Yes, by Outpost for to get Crew 220
CrewCar used and why, where? On campus.
General Notes and Comments:
Summary of the internet: Nominal
Summary of Suit and Radios: Nominal
Summary of Hab: Nominal
Summary of Science Dome operations: Nominal
Summary of Ram operations: Nominal
Summary of any observatory issues: Nominal
Summary of Health and safety issues: See HSO report.
Questions, concerns, and requests to Mission Support:
Sol Summary – January 18th
Crew 219 Sol Summary Report 18 JAN 2020
Sol: 13
Summary Title: Farewell MDRS
Author’s name: Nathan Hadland
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: Sol 13 started as usual, with coffee and a light breakfast. After breakfast, we finished up residual cleaning tasks and packing. N. Hadland, D. Masaitis, K. Crisman, H. Blackburn, A. Perez, and R. Raphael went on our traditional end of sim hike to the top of North Ridge where we took group photos. After the hike, we returned to the Hab and began making a lunch of chicken noodle soup for Crew 220. As the new crew started arriving in chunks, we began the process of helping them move in. In the afternoon, we trained the crewmembers on Hab systems and gave them a tour of the campus. The incoming crew spent most of the day setting up their new outer Hab system, but tonight we will be headed to Hanksville for burgers and shakes! We will be leaving bright and early tomorrow morning so tonight we will be headed to bed early. We are excited to be headed back to the tropical Florida weather!
Look Ahead Plan: Going home!
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Chilly and sunny all day
Crew Physical Status: Nominal
EVA: NONE
Reports to be filed:
Sol Summary
Operations Report
GreenHab Report
HSO Report
Commander’s Report (in lieu of Journalist Report)
Photos (Including Photo of the Day)
Support Requested:
None
Science Report – January 06th
Crew 219 Research Report 06-JAN-20
Crew Science Officer: Hannah Blackburn
1. Biometrics and Neurobehavioral Research
Sleep logs began today. Post-EVA biometrics were recorded.
2. UAV
Nothing to report.
3. Dust Mitigation for Optical Mirrors
A site was selected for the mirror to be placed (between the Musk Solar Observatory and the Robotic Observatory). The optics mount was assembled.
4. Astrophotography of Celestial Bodies
Submitted an observation of the Crab Nebula with MDRS 14. Hopefully we will have clear skies soon.
5. Remediation of Mars Regolith
Samples were collected on EVA 1 and 2.
6. Chemical and Mineralogical Composition of the MDRS Site
Crew members practiced using the geological sampling tool while taking samples for #5. Locations were selected for tomorrow’s EVAs (North Ridge and Kissing Camel).
7. Protocols for the Discovery of Life on Mars
Nothing to report.
Glassware check out:
For the duration of the mission, we will need 10 glass beakers (sizes between 200 and 500 ml) to dry regolith samples in the oven, and one glass pipette to measure BG11 media for the regolith remediation project.
Science Report – January 13th
Crew 219 Science Report 13-JAN-20 Crew Science Officer: Hannah Blackburn 1. Biometrics and Neurobehavioral Research We continued taking sleep logs and post-EVA biometrics and surveys. 2. UAV Nothing to report. 3. Dust Mitigation for Optical Mirrors Cleaned the optical mount using air pump. 4. Astrophotography of Celestial Bodies False color image of the Crab Nebula will be attached with the next Astronomy Report. 5. Remediation of Mars Regolith Samples observed under microscope. 6. Chemical and Mineralogical Composition of the MDRS Site Samples were dried in the oven using glass beakers. Additional samples collected during EVA 13. 7. Protocols for the Discovery of Life on Mars Nothing to report. Glassware check out: 10 glass beakers (sizes between 200 and 500 ml) were used to dry regolith samples. A reminder to all crewmembers: There's a $300 fine for using any glassware material without MDRS Mission support permission.
Science Report – January 14th
Crew 219 Research Report 14-JAN-20
Crew Science Officer: Hannah Blackburn
1. Biometrics and Neurobehavioral Research
We continued taking sleep logs and post-EVA biometrics and surveys.
2. UAV
The UAV was damaged during transport to MDRS. It has not been a
priority until now for our engineer due to other maintenance tasks.
After some fault isolation, we determined that motors 3 and 4 are not
working because they aren’t receiving power from the flight control
board.
3. Dust Mitigation for Optical Mirrors
Cotton swab and cotton ball technique tested on mirrors.
4. Astrophotography of Celestial Bodies
See Astronomy Report.
5. Remediation of Mars Regolith
Nothing to report.
6. Chemical and Mineralogical Composition of the MDRS Site
Samples were dried in the oven using glass beakers. Additional samples
collected during EVA 14.
7. Protocols for the Discovery of Life on Mars
Lichen samples photographed under microscope. Additional samples
collected during EVA 14.
Glassware check out:
10 glass beakers (sizes between 200 and 500 ml) were used to dry
regolith samples.
A reminder to all crewmembers: There’s a $300 fine for using any
glassware material without MDRS Mission support permission.
Science Report – January 15th
Crew 219 Science Report 15-JAN-20
Crew Science Officer: Hannah Blackburn
1. Biometrics and Neurobehavioral Research
We continued taking sleep logs and post-EVA biometrics and surveys.
2. UAV
Nothing to report.
3. Dust Mitigation for Optical Mirrors
Lens tissue cleaning method tested.
4. Astrophotography of Celestial Bodies
Made color images of little dumbbell nebula.
5. Remediation of Mars Regolith
Nothing to report.
6. Chemical and Mineralogical Composition of the MDRS Site
Samples were dried in the oven using glass beakers. Additional samples
collected during EVA 16.
7. Protocols for the Discovery of Life on Mars
Samples collected during EVAs 15 and 16.
Glassware check out:
10 glass beakers (sizes between 200 and 500 ml) were used to dry
regolith samples.
A reminder to all crewmembers: There’s a $300 fine for using any
glassware material without MDRS Mission support permission.
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