MDRS Supplemental Operations Report 16-JUN-2021
Name of person filing report: Shannon Rupert
Reason for Report: Summer Shutdown
Non-nominal systems: Leak in the toilet, leak in upper deck water tank intake, GreenHab door, leak in ScienceDome under the window with damage, intern trailer water system
Action taken for non-nominal systems: These are all issues that need to be addressed before the field season begins
Generator check, note if oil and coolant added: New generator installation is complete with autostart, but it has been turned off for the summer since the solar system is producing enough power for all power needs.
ScienceDome Dual Split: Set to automatically keep the temperature at 77 degrees F/24 degrees C for the summer
Solar— Nominal, providing all power
Diesel Reading – 0 %. (I have no idea where the half tank (250 gallons) of diesel has gone.
Propane Reading, main tank – 80 %
Propane Reading, director tank— 75%
Propane Reading, intern tank— 75%
Generator propane tank: 80%
Ethanol Free Gasoline – not noted gallons
Water (Outpost tank) – 200 gallons
Water (static tank) – not noted gallons
Water (GreenHab) – 0 gallons
Water (loft) – half tank
Static to Loft Pump used – yes, then pump was turned off
Water Meter: n/a
Toilet tank emptied: yes, flushed for summer
Notes and action were taken on rovers: Four rovers are stored in Hanksville. Percy is parked and charging on my front patio.
Monthly check and fill of rover batteries: Cathy filled all the batteries on the rovers in town.
ATVs Used: (Honda, 300, 350.1, 350.2, 350.3: Nothing to report.
The 300 is stored in town.
The 350s are stored between the Hab and GreenHab.
350.2 has a dangerous problem with the gas “pedal” and should not be used. The gas tank is half full and it was running well.
350.3 (I think) was running well and has a full gas tank, but has a low tire.
350.1 is not running because it has no battery. The tank is full.
The Honda is parked by the clothesline and is not running. A new battery needed. One time is low.
Reason for use: n/a
Oil Added? No
ATV Fuel Used: 0 Gals
# Hours the ATVs were Used: 0
Notes and action was taken on ATVs: Nothing to report
HabCar running? If used, why, where? Yes, will be used by Cathy to go back and forth from town for security
CrewCar running, If used why, where? Yes, will be used by Cathy to go back and forth from town for security. So one of these two vehicles will be parked at MDRS at all times, and one will be in town.
Luna running, if used why, where? Luna was the transport vehicle for this effort and the trip was without issue, except for needing to refill the DEF tank. Currently parked in WA for the summer.
Campus-wide inspection, if action is taken, what and why?
Septic tanks are generally full and should be pumped before September. The outpost tank and intern trailer tank also need to be pumped. Tunnels were removed for the summer.
Evidence of rodents, where and action is taken: Some evidence of rodents was present in all buildings except the observatory and RAM. Purchased poison to be set out inside the buildings. This is the first time we have had to use poison, but I saw no other way to handle the problem.
Summary of internet: All three accounts nominal
Summary of suits and radios: Batteries were removed from radios and placed in the ScienceDome for summer.
The spacesuits were delivered to NorCal for maintenance and repairs.
Summary of Hab operations: Nothing to report
Summary of Outpost operations: Nothing to report
Summary of GreenHab operations: Nothing to report
Summary of ScienceDome operations: AC was turned on for the summer
Summary of RAM operations: Nothing to report
Summary of any observatory issues: Nothing to report
Summary of health and safety issues: The heat was extreme during this time at MDRS, which made it impossible to work outside most of the time.
List and summary of projects: Met with BLM to discuss tourist plan to be implemented in September. It was a very productive meeting and we are grateful for their support regarding our concerns.
Questions, concerns, supplies needed and requests: Nothing at this time.
Submitted:
Shannon M Rupert, PhD
Director
Mars Desert Research Station