Crew 271 Operations Report 26-12-2022

Crew 271 Operations Report 26-12-2022

SOL: 8

Name of person filing report: Sergii Iakymov

Non-nominal systems: Kitchen sink cabinet hinge, headset #3

Notes on non-nominal systems: 1) We inspected the malfunctioned sink hinge and found out that the hinge came off because wood around it was softened by moisture. We will have to put it back and use a small amount of silicon to compensate for the increased size of a hole due to softening. Please advise if this will be acceptable? 2) We also have found a root cause for moisture under the sink. There is no silicone between sink and countertop and water goes underneath if it accidently dropped on the countertop. We do recommend silicon after the mission is finished, so it has time to dry.

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: Yes

Hours: 205.2

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 77%

Currently charging: Yes

Opportunity rover used: Yes

Hours: 109.7

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 77%

Currently charging: Yes

Curiosity rover used: No

Hours: 217.8

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: Yes

Perseverance rover used: No

Hours: 252.5

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: Yes

General notes on rovers: None

Summary of Hab operations:

WATER USE: 26.14 gallons

Water (static tank): 324.54 gallons

Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On

Static tank heater (On or off): On

Toilet tank emptied: No

Summary of internet: Nominal

Summary of suits and radios: Headset #3 did not function during pre-EVA check, it is being investigated by the crew commander. We will advise once we know a cause for its malfunction.

Summary of GreenHab operations:

WATER USE: 9 gal

Heater: On

Supplemental light: plugged

Harvest: 75 grams of beans

Summary of ScienceDome operations: used for the Grete project.

Dual split: On

Summary of RAM operations: N/A.

Summary of any observatory issues: N/A.

Summary of health and safety issues: None

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: 1) Station computer moved to RAM to be picked up. 2) Station Ham radio placed into a black rolling cabinet. 3) White table from the lower deck moved back into the Science Dom.

Crew 271 Sol Summary Report 26-12-2022

Crew 271 Sol Summary Report 26-12-2022

Sol: 8

Summary Title: Back at work

Author’s name: Marc Levesque, Commander

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary: The crew resumed its project activity schedule by completing one EVA to Candor Chasma for Guariniello’s geology project. Grete’s project also saw completion of a major phase by certifying the remaining crew members in the tibial fracture fixation procedure.

Look Ahead Plan: Two EVAs are planned. The first will be to the Moon Overlook area for Guariniello’s geology project, the second to complete Grete’s project with a simulated field injury near the Hab.

Anomalies in work: None

Weather: Warmer and sunny

Crew Physical Status: Good

EVA: Two

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Operations, Journalist, GreenHab, EVA report, and EVA Requests.

Support Requested: None

Supplemental Operations Report 17-DEC-2022

Supplemental Operations Report 17-DEC-2022

Name of person filing report: Shannon Rupert

Reason for Report: Routine/crew changeover

Non-nominal systems: Hab toilet has something wrong and it is not emptying correctly.

Action taken for non-nominal systems: We will be investigating tomorrow

Generator: Running from about 8 pm to 8 am. We looked into some of the issues surrounding the autostart last weekend and as usual, the power system decided to seek revenge. The router is showing as SOC connect for the generator but the online data is only showing VDC. Sooooo…. We need to figure out which parts of the system need reprogrammed.

ScienceDome Dual Split: on at 65 degrees overnight

Solar— Nominal (see generator notes for some issues with the power system as a whole)

Solar— SOC Last 24 hours:

Max

Min

Avg not showing the way it is currently operating

Propane Reading, station tank – filled Friday %

Propane Reading, director tank— filled Friday %

Propane Reading, intern tank— Filled Friday %

Propane Reading, generator— Filled Friday %

Ethanol Free Gasoline – 0 gallons

Water (static tank) – 550 gallons

Water in GreenHab – 200 gallons

Water in ScienceDome: 0 gallons

Water (Outpost tank) – 550 gallons

Hab toilet tank emptied: Yes, it has been emptied every two days this week as there is a blockage.

Sojourner rover used: no

Hours: not noted

Beginning charge: 100

Ending charge: 100

Currently charging: yes

Notes on rovers: nothing to report

ATV’s Used: (Honda, 350.1, 350.2, 300): none

Reason for use: n/a

Oil Added? no

ATV Fuel Used: 0 Gals

# Hours the ATVs were Used today: 0

Notes on ATVs: Nothing to report

HabCar used and why, where? Yes, to town and on SWB field trip to Salt Wash

CrewCar used and why, where? No. It has been in Grand Junction.

Luna used and why, where? Yes, to town

General notes and comments: Camera with alarm (to alert us to trespassers) was installed on the side of the Hab but was too far away to trigger the alarm so we are moving it soon to the old HughesNet mount near the GreenHab

Summary of internet: Nominal.

Summary of suits and radios: See crew operations reports.

Campus wide inspection, if action taken, what and why? Nothing to report

Summary of general operations: Conduit work delayed

Summary of Hab operations: As noted above the toilet has a problem that we need to investigate. I ordered a new humidifier for the upper deck. The one we had was not operational nor was it one I purchased.

Summary of Outpost operations: I broke one half of the handle to the output on my trailer’s wastewater pipes because it was frozen. It is still usable. Sergii’s hot water to the bathroom froze last night. It’s been very cold for this early in the season. I’m also using my wall unit to supplement the heat in my house.

Summary of GreenHab operations: Shade cloth was removed. Supplemental light 10-2 pm. Tomatoes all moved to the bed frame. We transplanted the ones from the herb garden into pots as they were not thriving. We removed some of the snow peas to do this, and I replanted snow peas in the herb garden. I thinned the carrots and we replanted microgreens in one of the two raised beds. We also replanted cilantro in clay pot bottoms as they grow better than way. Tomorrow I will clear out the cilantro pot and plant another microgreen.

Summary of ScienceDome operations: Used all week for SWBU. I will be removing the broken microscopes and taking them to WA for replace. One of the teachers who was here for SWBU has donated a new microscope that I will pick up in SLC as soon as possible.

Summary of RAM operations: Added a spark plug gap measuring device and a new ratchet handle to the tools.

Summary of any observatory issues: Nothing to report

Summary of health and safety issues: Nothing to report

Questions, concerns, supplies needed and requests: n/a

Crew 271 Bios

Marc Levesque: Crew Commander (United States)

Marc served as Crew Commander for MDRS 216 and 265, continuing his lifelong interest in space exploration. His previous space-analog experience was as a member of a winter-over crew at the U.S. South Pole Station in Antarctica where he coordinated logistics during his year-long stay. He later provided science support at McMurdo Station for two austral summers. An avid hiker and climber for decades, he currently serves as a Search and Rescue Incident Commander for New Mexico State Police, managing missions for lost, stranded, and injured individuals in remote locations. He is also a licensed amateur radio operator and was a certified Wilderness First Responder, EMS First Responder, and volunteer firefighter for many years. Prior to his retirement, Marc was a self-employed professional in geographic information systems (GIS), working on local, state, and federal projects. A lifelong learner, educator, and trainer, he is an adjunct faculty member at Western New Mexico University and holds MS and BA degrees in the education field.

Cesare Guariniello, PhD: Executive Officer/Chief Scientist (United States/Italy)

Cesare is a Research Scientist in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics in Purdue University. He holds two Master’s degrees, in Automation and Robotics Engineering and in Astronautical Engineering, from the University of Rome “La Sapienza,” and a PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Purdue University. His research ranges from System-of-Systems design and architecting to space applications, cybersecurity, and defense and includes projects with NASA, the US DoD, and the US Navy. Cesare recently expanded his research in the field of Earth Sciences, where he is pursuing a Master’s degree in Planetary Geology. He is a senior member of IEEE and AIAA and a member of INCOSE. Outside work, Cesare enjoys a wide variety of activities. He represented Purdue University in various fencing collegiate tournaments and served as coach of Purdue Fencing Club. He is a licensed amateur radio operator, a private airplane pilot, a sailboat racer, and holds five scuba diving certifications. In 2017, he began participating in analog missions at MDRS, where he spent four missions with roles including Crew Geologist, Crew Astronomer, Executive Officer, Health and Safety Officer, and Commander.

Sergii Iakymov: Crew Engineer/Health and Safety Officer (Ukraine)

Sergiiis a professional aerospace engineer and space enthusiast and currently serves as Assistant Director of the Mars Desert Research Station. He has a lifelong dream to become an astronaut and join human efforts to explore and colonize space. To this end, he was one of the MarsOne 100 candidates selected to colonize planet Mars. As a professional, he has experience in design, manufacturing, and project management, supporting many projects including an Internet satellite constellation. He is also a passionate explorer of the world as a hiker, runner, swimmer, adventurer, astrophotographer, and certified scuba diver. Sergii holds a Master’s degree in Avionics and Bachelor’s degree in Aviation and Astronautics.

Helen Eifert: Crew Geologist (United States)

Helen Eifert is a PhD candidate in planetary science at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ and expects to complete her degree in 2024. She holds a B.S. in geology from St. Lawrence University. Drawing from her field experience in undergraduate, Helen now studies water shaped surfaces of Mars through field analogs in Antarctica, Iceland, Mexico, and the U.S. desert Southwest. She combines field work with a remote sensing skillset developed throughout graduate school and internships with NASA and the USGS. Outside of research, Helen is a professional athlete in Ultimate Frisbee and has won gold with the U24 USA National Team in 2019. She founded the first professional Ultimate team in the state of Arizona in 2020, The Arizona Sidewinders, and helped start the Western Ultimate League where they compete. She competes in strongman and powerlifting competitions and is an avid outdoors person, ski instructor, and outdoor guide. She loves puzzles, board games, and her two dogs, Odo and Dax.

Alicyn Grete: Crew Biologist/Crew Journalist/GreenHab Officer (United States)

Originally from Niceville FL, Alicyn is a cadet at the United States Military Academy studying Life Science. After graduation from West Point, she will attend medical school and become an Army physician. At West Point, Alicyn plays Division 1 softball, leads a Bible study through Officers Christian Fellowship, and volunteers with the tutoring program. Alicyn is pursuing a career in Army medicine to implement research discoveries in austere environments. As a 2020 Stamps scholar, Alicyn has researched the medical applications of 3D bioprinting and helped develop an affordable bubble BPAP respiratory device for use in rural Africa. She is currently conducting research with Medical Makers to test the effectiveness of an offline training module and 3D-printed bone model to teach people to conduct emergency tibial surgery in austere environments, such as during a deep space mission. Alicyn intends to continue her research in austere medicine to provide the most-needed care to the areas of greatest need.

Andres Käosaar: Crew Researcher (Estonia)

Andres Käosaar is a Doctoral Student in the Industrial-Organizational Psychology program and a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Central Florida. He holds a BA and MA in Psychology from the University of Tartu, Estonia, EU. His research focuses on team dynamics in Isolated, Confined, and Extreme (ICE) environments, with the main interest in astronaut and polar teams. His goal is to support the human space exploration endeavor by helping to understand the teamwork-related and psychological hurdles associated with long-duration space exploration missions. Outside of his research, he can be found enjoying the outdoors through rock climbing, surfing, mountaineering, or other activities that allow a close connection with nature.

Crew 271 Mission Plan 18-DEC-2022

Crew 271 – Mars Society

Crew Commander: Marc Levesque (United States)

Executive Officer/Chief Scientist: Cesare Guariniello (United States/Italy)

Crew Engineer/Health and Safety Officer: Sergii Iakymov (Ukraine)

Crew Geologist: Helen Eifert (United States)

Crew Researcher: Andres Käosaar (Estonia)

Crew Biologist/Journalist/Green Hab Officer: Alicyn Grete (United States)

MDRS Crew 271 is a diverse group of individuals selected from individual applications. Three members (Levesque, Guariniello, and Iakymov) are veterans of previous MDRS missions, while three others will be MDRS rookies. The crew’s priority will be to maintain all MDRS facilities, vehicles, and equipment in a safe and operable condition and to complete the wide variety of planned projects. Below is a detailed summary of projects during the mission.

Title: Uniplanar External Fixation Training Module Evaluation

Crew member: Alicyn Grete

Objectives: Test whether MDRS crew members will be able to use the provided educational module to teach themselves a new surgical skill and to complete the training module with the simulator based entirely on the module accessed through a provided Raspberry Pi device and the material preloaded on that device.

Description: The results of this study will be used to judge the quality of the modules, not the clinical competence of the MDRS crew members. MDRS crew members will test the modules by using the training module to learn, practice, and gain competence in an unfamiliar surgical skill. For the participant, this process will include:

A. Filling out a pre-learning “Clinical Confidence Assessment” to document their pre-training level of experience with the clinical skill being trained;

B. Constructing their own simulator from the clinical skill module instructions;

C. Completing the training module with the simulator based entirely on the module accessed through a provided Raspberry Pi device and the material preloaded on that device;

D. Completing a self-administered test included in the training module to assess their readiness to perform this surgical skill; and

E. Filling out post-training assessment questionnaires.

A 3D printer, filament, personal protective equipment, gloves, surgical drill, modular external fixation hardware, training materials, supplies, and equipment will be provided for the research.

Rationale: Astronauts on deep space missions are at significant risk of sustaining fractures due to trauma and bone loss that occurs during long duration spaceflight. This research demonstrates that Martian analog crew members can use a 3D printed bone simulation models to become confident and competent in performing modular external fixation procedures in an austere environment and without access to specialist support from Mission Control.

Titles: Coping Strategies for Long-Duration Space Exploration (Study 1) and Team Challenge Resolution Mechanisms in Isolated and Confined Space Analog Mission Through Ethnographic Methods (Study 2)

Crew member: Andres Käosaar

Objectives: The purpose of both studies is to better understand the role that emotion and coping strategies have on team dynamics within Isolated, Confined, and Extreme (ICE) environments.

Description: Study 1 relies on self-reported data gathered via questionnaires, journal entries, and interviews for exploring the relationship between different coping mechanisms and team-level dynamics. Study 2 relies on in-situ observations and discussions with the crew for understanding the connections between different stressors and challenges with individual- and team-level outcomes.

Rationale: These studies explore several aspects that have not received a lot of attention in behavioral studies of ICE teams (i.e., the effect of emotion regulation and coping mechanisms on team dynamics and the influence of character of a stressor on individual and team). Understanding these mechanisms better will help to understand important aspects of human behavior for long-duration space missions.

Title: Collection of clay, shale, and hematite samples

Crew member: Cesare Guariniello

Objectives: Continue the past activity of sample collection for evaluation of potential In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) material.

Description: Continuing research from the past two years, samples will be collected to be studied in terms of mineralogy and geotechnical properties. If allowed to carry portable spectrometer, will conduct in-place reading of collected samples. Experiment designed to evaluate water content and bulk size.

Rationale: ISRU will be important to reduce the amount of material transported to Mars

EVAs required: Three to four

Title: Messier and other space objects for outreach

Crew member: Cesare Guariniello

Objectives: Continue astronomy outreach by showing the majesty of some of the most spectacular deep sky objects.

Description: This project was started before this mission and is the continuation of astronomy work from a previous mission. The goal is to observe (and later filter and color) planetary nebulas and other interest objects.

Rationale: Inspire people to become interested not only in the utility but also in the beauty of space.

EVAs: None

Title: Drying trends of a clay-rich surface

Crew member: Helen Eifert

Objectives: Supplement active research constraining the thermophysical properties and drying trends of Mars-analogous surfaces in order to better detect moisture remotely on Mars.

Description: Collection of spectral data using an ASD field spectrometer (FieldSpec4) of a designated surface that has been saturated. The spectrometer will be set up in place to capture the drying trends of a clay-rich surface over time to better understand the influence of time and composition on specific absorption features.

Rationale: Provide a clay-rich end member to existing experiments of drying trends of Mars-analogous surfaces.

EVAs: One long and two to three short ones to collect additional measurements in the following days (can be tacked on in support of other EVAs after taking the first single measurement).

Title: Station maintenance and upgrades

Crew member: Sergii Iakymov

Description: This project will undertake the following activities:

1) EVA suits inspection and testing. During this season, MDRS team have encountered some issues with power systems of the suits. An inspection will be conducted of existing wiring, switches, batteries, and chargers for a root cause analysis to resolve any issues.

2) EVA airlock timer prototype. Currently all crews use timers on personal devices for a the five minute depressurization/pressurization cycle before and after EVAs. This activity will assemble and program a timer prototype to test during the mission to determine if it is easier to use a timer in the EVA airlock and the best location for it.

3) Compatibility test for new WiFi network and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This phase will test IoT devices in the new WiFi6 network for the possibility of integration of a Smart Home system into the MDRS campus.

Title: Radio communications system maintenance

Crew member: Marc Levesque

Description: This project will conduct a maintenance check on the recently-installed MDRS radio repeater and extend the antenna mast to expand radio coverage. It will also undertake communication checks during crew EVAs to test the effectiveness of the higher antenna and monitor handheld radio battery consumption to determine the optimal recharging interval.

EVAs: Several, mostly in conjunction with other project-related EVAs.

Submitted by:

Marc Levesque

Crew 271 Commander

Crew 271 Sol Summary Report 18-12-2022

Crew 271 Sol Summary Report 18-12-2022

Sol: 0

Summary Title: Arrival at MDRS

Author’s name: Marc Levesque, Commander

Mission Status: Will not begin sim until all crew members on station.

Sol Activity Summary: Four crew members arrived on station and settled in. Two activities were completed in the afternoon. One was to install a mast extension for the radio repeater. A maintenance check and cleaning was also conducted on the MDRS 214 telescope.

Look Ahead Plan: Await the arrival of another crew member and the results of a second COVID test for another who remains in Grand Junction.

Anomalies in work: None

Weather: Cold and partly cloudy

Crew Physical Status: Good

EVA: None

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Operations, HSO, Mission Plan, crew bios, pictures, and patch.

Support Requested: None

Crew 271 Operations Report 18-12-2022

Crew 271 Operations Report 18-12-2022

SOL: 0

Name of person filing report: Sergii Iakymov

Non-nominal systems: Hab toilet is not fully emptying.

Notes on non-nominal systems: Hab toilet was flashed a few times this morning by station personnel.

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: Not used

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: Yes

Opportunity rover used: Not used

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: Yes

Curiosity rover used: Not used

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: Yes

Perseverance rover used: Not used

Hours: N/A

Beginning charge: N/A

Ending charge: N/A

Currently charging: No

General notes on rovers: Perseverance parked at the outpost.

Summary of Hab operations: put notes here

WATER USE: 10 gallons

Water (static tank): 540 gallons

Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On

Static tank heater (On or off): On

Toilet tank emptied: No

Summary of internet: Nominal

Summary of suits and radios: Station repeater got an extended antenna 20Ft

Summary of GreenHab operations: N/A

WATER USE: N/A

Heater: On

Supplemental light: not plugged

Harvest: N/A

Summary of ScienceDome operations: Not used

Dual split: On

Summary of RAM operations: Distilled water used to clean the corrector plate in the robotic observatory.

Summary of any observatory issues: 14inch reflector had dusty corrector plate.

Summary of health and safety issues: see HSO report

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: N/A

Crew 271 Sol 1 Astronomy Report 19-12-2022

Crew 271 Sol 1 Astronomy Report 19-12-2022

Astronomy Report

Name: Cesare Guariniello
Crew: 271
Date: 12/19/2022

NOTE
Before the beginning of the mission, on December 18th, the crew astronomer, with remote guidance from the MDRS Chief Astronomer Peter Detterline, performed maintenance of the MDRS-14 telescope. The operations consisted in tightening the mounts of the filter wheel and the camera and cleaning the corrector plate with the use of optics cloth, compressed air, and a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water.

MDRS ROBOTIC OBSERVATORY
Robotic Telescope Requested (choose one) MDRS-14

Objects to be Imaged this Evening: M2, M74, (Mars, Jupiter quick shots)

Images submitted with this report: M1 (Crab nebula), M31 (Andromeda galaxy), NGC6946 (Fireworks galaxy)

Problems Encountered: 8 images out of 10 in blue filter of M31 were very misaligned with the rest of the blue, red, and green images (these misaligned images were just discarded)

MUSK OBSERVATORY

Not used

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