Astronomy Report – February 5th

Astronomy Report

Name: Maxime Jalabert

Crew: 240

Date: 05 feb 2022

MDRS ROBOTIC OBSERVATORY

Robotic Telescope Requested (choose one) MLC-RCOS16

Objects to be Imaged this Evening: m 63, m 43, m 36

Images submitted with this report: none

Problems Encountered: none

MUSK OBSERVATORY

Solar Features Observed: none

Images submitted with this report: none

Problems Encountered: same problem, the dome is sill stuck

Journalist Report – February 5th

Crew 240 Journalist Report 05Feb2022

Author: Pierre Fabre

Sol 5: Interview with: HSO – How to take care of a crew?

Hi everyone! Welcome back in this new report for the second episode of « Interview with ». In today’s episode, we are going to talk with Julie Levita, our HSO about her and her role in the crew.

But first, let me talk to you a bit about our Sol 5 on Mars.

First, I think it is worth to notify that this morning we didn’t workout to, I quote our HSO: « let our bodies rest until the beginning of a new week of workouts ».

I think it was a good call and everyone truly appreciated to sleep a little later. In fact, this week was quite exhausting for everyone and we were all quite tired lately (at least I was).

Moreover, it was important to rest to be ready for today’s EVA, which was long and physically demanding. Maxime, François, Marion and Clément went for an exploration of Candor Chasma, a big canyon in the surroundings of the station. On Earth, someone would probably call that EVA a hike, a hard one maybe. But on Mars, with the spacesuit and all the constraints we have already talked about in previous reports, it was a real challenge. They have spent 3 hours and a half outside, exploring the maze inside the canyon. When they came back, they were exhausted and everyone went for a nap after lunch. Despite all of that, I would have wanted to go with them so bad. I’m sure you will understand if you take a look at the pictures they took there, the canyon looks so good! But there has to be someone at the Hab just in case something happens to them. I really hope I will have the opportunity to see this canyon with my own eyes next time.

This afternoon despite how tired they were, Francois and Maxime spent all their time in the RAM trying to make the 3D printer work. Remember last time I told you that we needed this 3D printer working to print a custom funnel to allow Julie to recycle water. While I was interviewing Julie at the lower deck of the Hab, they worked very hard and at the end their perseverance paid off. They succeeded. They managed to print their first test piece. Tomorrow, they will be able to print the piece for Julie, which will make her task of recycling water way easier.

In fact, Julie has no time to lose, she is very busy creating workouts and activities for the crew as a good HSO. Talking about that, let’s see what we talked about this afternoon:

“-Hi Julie! How are you today?

-Super good, thank you! I’m glad to do this interview with you!

-Me too! Can you introduce yourself briefly for those who don’t know you yet?

-Ok let’s do this. My name is Julie Levita, I’m an engineering student at ISAE-SUPAERO. During my gap year I have performed two internships in the Space Surveillance Awarness domain. I’ve been very fond of team sports for a long time and I’ve played handball at national level. Currently I’m the crew’s 240 HSO (Health and Safety Officer).

-Yes, regarding that, can you explain a bit what is the role of the HSO in a crew?

-For me the HSO role has three main components.

The first one deals with the physical health of the crew. I have to take care of injuries, symptoms and those kinds of things. At MDRS, the motto is “Safety first”. Most injuries occur because of lack of sleep, dehydration or low sugar. A good HSO has to make sure everyone takes care of themselves. Due to Covid I also have to monitor the crew members temperature and oxygen rate.

The second component is related to the mental health of the crew. We live in a station without contact with the outside world, with limited resources in water and food which can be hard for some people to deal with. It is important to implement good habits that make us feel better. Every day, I organize workouts, meditation sessions and team building games. A good HSO also has to listen to his crew mates and be there for them if they feel bad.

And last but not least, safety is the most important task for an HSO. Security is the priority at MDRS, even more important than the simulation. This task is shared with the crew’s engineer who makes sure very often that every alarm in the station is working properly, that we have enough water and enough energy. The procedures are here to avoid dangerous situations as much as possible. I, with the help of the commander, have to make sure that we follow them well. But sometimes unexpected situations occur and we have to decide whether or not break the simulation because the situation is no longer under control. Those are hard questions to answer and we have to agree as a crew on what to do before the situation even occurs.

-And why did you want to be the crew’s HSO?

-They are many reasons.

First, I have a first aid certification and this training taught me how to react quickly in case of an emergency.

At the time I was playing handball, I witnessed many injuries that are typical of what could occur during an EVA. With time, I have learned to evaluate the gravity of an injury and in some cases I learned how to cure it or make it hurt less.

I think the main reason is the human aspect of the job. I care for people and I like to listen to them and try to understand how they feel. Moreover, I feel close to every member of that crew so it is all the more important for me that everyone feels good.

-Ok last question. What is your favourite part of the job?

-As I told you before, my main job is to prepare the activities for the day. I love workouts, it is a good way of starting the day feeling energized. Moreover, it is important to do sport when you have to live in small spaces like in the station. I also like when we do relaxation all together at the upper deck. I definitely feel the positive impact on how I feel and my crew mates make the experience even cooler by taking it very seriously. But what I like the most are the games we play together at night. Those are really pleasant moments and I like to think that the crew is becoming more of a team each time. And to be perfectly honest, the positive feedbacks from my crewmates make me very happy.

-Those feedbacks are well deserved Julie; you do an excellent job as HSO. I love all the activities you make us do and I want to thank you personally for the energy you put in making us feel better each day. “

This concluded this cool interview with Julie. I hope you enjoyed it! The interviews from the other crew members are coming soon so stay tuned!

EVA Report – February 5th

Crew 240 EVA Report 05Feb2022

EVA # 6

Author: Maxime Jalabert

Purpose of EVA:

– Taking pictures around the station of possible small cracks or impacts for an outreach mission about the usefulness of 3D printing

– Changing batteries on LOAC experiment

– Exploring the Candor Chasma area

Start time: 10:09

End time: 12:53

Narrative: We took pictures and measurements of small impacts caused by wear and tear around the station, which went rather quicky. Battery change went quickly. We moved on to the crossing between Cow Dung Road and Stream Bed connector, but before reaching it spotted human activity in the area, and decided to turn around and park near Pooh’s Corner – this didn’t slow us down much. We then advanced by foot into Candor Chasma, where exploration went well, and return occurred without issue as well.

Destination: Candor Chasma

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 522000 4251000

Participants: Maxime Jalabert, Clément Plagne, Marion Burnichon, François Vinet

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: By rover: Entrance Road, Cow Dung Road. By foot : Stream Bed Connector.

Mode of travel: Rovers Perseverance and Curiosity

Operations Report – February 5th

Crew 240 Operations Report 05-02-2022

SOL: 5

Name of person filing report: François Vinet

Non-nominal systems: NA

Notes on non-nominal systems: NA

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: no

Hours: 154.3

Beginning charge: NA

Ending charge: NA

Currently charging: left uncharged, handled by Atila

Opportunity rover used: no

Hours: 83.5

Beginning charge: NA

Ending charge: NA

Currently charging: left uncharged, handled by Atila

Curiosity rover used: yes

Hours: 165.7

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 88%

Currently charging: left uncharged, handled by Atila

Perseverance rover used: yes

Hours: 226.7

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 81%

Currently charging: left uncharged, handled by Atila

General notes and comments: NA

Summary of Hab operations:

WATER USE: 29 gallons

Water (static tank): 325 gallons

Water (loft tank): 28 gallons

Water Meter: 0155492.5 units

Static to Loft Pump used – yes

Static tank pipe heater (on or off): on

Static tank heater (On or off): on

Toilet tank emptied: no

Summary of internet: NA

Summary of suits and radios: NA

Summary of GreenHab operations:

WATER USE: 10 gallons at 9am and 7 at 4:30pm

Heater: On

Supplemental light: On

Harvest: 165g cherry tomatoes

Summary of ScienceDome operations:

Dual split: off

SOC: 68% at 5.20pm

Summary of RAM operations: NA

Summary of any observatory issues: NA

Summary of health and safety issues: NA

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: one burnable trash is waiting for pickup in the rear airlock. Thank you!

Sol Summary – Feb 4th

Crew 240 Sol Summary Report 05Feb2022

Sol:5

Summary Title:

Author’s name: Clément Plagne

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary: Since our workouts are only on weekdays and the EVA was a little late in the morning, most of the crew enjoyed sleeping in – to some degree, as most awoke by 8:30, and I somehow stuck to my usual 6:45 by what I assume was sheer force of habit. I also found time to get some pancakes going – thanks Shannon for the advice, they were perfect!

The EVA was one I’d done two years ago: stepping into Candor Chasma. I’d always thought the term “unforgettable” was fuzzy, and more figurative than anything else. This proved me wrong. I remembered rocks I’d stepped on, trails I’d walked on and formations I’d photographed years ago like it was yesterday. I’m happy the rest of the EVA team found it as remarkable as I did.

This start of the weekend after this tiring week, a big and the occasion to sleep in meant that most of the hab was idling in bed for the better part of the afternoon. Nevertheless, recycling of shower water chugged along well, and the 3D printer finally ran correctly – I’d diagnosed an issue with the mechanics of motion of the system along the Y axis, and Maxime and François cleverly fixed it. We’re planning an evening based on cohesion games and relaxation exercises.

Look Ahead Plan: A good night of sleep tomorrow morning. Started 3D printing of a piece I need to setup an experiment outside.

Anomalies in work: None noticed

Weather: Fair, end of EVA felt quite hot inside the suits but not surprisingly so.

Crew Physical Status: The extra sleeping time and rest really improved physical and mental states across the crew.

EVA: One to Candor Chasma, which went without any significant issue besides us noticing some human activity along the way and taking steps to evade it.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Operations Report, HSO Report, Journalist Report, Crew Photos, EVA Report, EVA Request, Astronomy Report

Support Requested: None

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