Crew Photos – February 12th
Journalist Report – February 12th
Sol 0 – From one planet to another
Crew 275 has safely arrived at the Mars Desert Research Station! Seeing the Hab suddenly appear from behind the ridge after a year of preparation and anticipation gave the crew the most wonderful feeling: our objective and dream was standing before us, just as we had studied and imagined it.
As we eased into this new environment, Sol 0, the pre-simulation training session, could begin.
Sergii, Assistant Director, and Donald, Site Manager of the MDRS showed us all the facilities (GreenHab, Musk Observatory, Science Dome, etc.) and their specificities, and trained us to prepare for an EVA: reading the map, choosing a destination, suiting up, and operating the rovers. Before sunset, we all drove them out to Marble Ritual for the crew to get the hang of them.
Enjoying our last few moments out in the open, we also had the opportunity to gather some drone footage of the station and record a video to present the facility to our French audience.
Tomorrow morning, we will close the Hab airlock… and officially land on Mars!
Sol Summary Report – February 12th
Crew 275 Sol Summary Report 12Feb2023
Sol: 0
Summary Title: From one planet to another.
Author’s name: Jérémy Rabineau, Commander.
Mission Status: Nominal.
Sol Activity Summary: Crew 275 safely arrived on site this afternoon and has received training for operating all major facilities and for all main procedures. All crewmembers were trained in properly operating the rovers, which were taken out for a test run.
Look Ahead Plan: The simulation is due to start tomorrow morning at 09:00.
Two training EVAs at Marble Ritual are planned (one in the morning, the other one in the afternoon).
Anomalies in work: Nothing to report.
Weather: Sunny, high 11°C/52°F, low -5°C/23°F.
Crew Physical Status: Optimal.
EVA: None.
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Operations Report, Journalist Report, Mission Plan, EVA request, HSO Pre-Mission Checklist.
Support Requested: Requesting the possibility to add the following email addresses to the Mission Support mailing list, as we will not be checking our personal email addresses (already included in the list):
alice.astro275
marieastro275@gmail.com
quentin.royer.mdrs@gmail.com
corentinastro.275@gmail.com
Operations Report – February 12th
Crew 275 Operations Report 12Feb2023
SOL: 0
Name of person filing report: Quentin ROYER
Non-nominal systems:
• Toilets
• MDRS Robotic observatory
Notes on non-nominal systems: As Crew 275 arrived today, non-nominal systems are the ones that were non-nominal for the previous crew.
ROVERS
Spirit rover used: Yes
• Hours: 208.9
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: 91%
• Currently charging: Yes
Opportunity rover used: Yes
• Hours: 113.0
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: 93%
• Currently charging: Yes
Curiosity rover used: Yes
• Hours: 220.8
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: 91%
• Currently charging: Yes
Perseverance rover used: Yes
• Hours: 255.4
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: 89%
• Currently charging: Yes
General notes on rovers: The 4 rovers were used out of sim for training
Summary of Hab operations: The crew arrived at 12:30 and Hab operations consisted only in training.
• WATER USE: 0 gallons before the opening of COMMS
• Water: 484.65 gallons
• Static tank pipe heater: On
• Static tank heater: On
• Toilet tank emptied: Yes
Summary of internet: Starlink was used today, we will switch to Hughes Net tomorrow
Summary of suits and radios: Nothing to report
Summary of GreenHab operations: No GreenHab operations
• WATER USE: 0 gallons
• Heater: On
• Supplemental light: From 10 pm to 2 am (according to Mission Support)
• Harvest: None
Summary of ScienceDome operations: No ScienceDome operations
• Dual split: Heat / From 10 pm to 7 am (according to Mission Support)
Summary of RAM operations: No RAM operations
Summary of any observatory issues: Robotic Observatory is closed until further notice
Summary of health and safety issues: Nothing to report
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: None
Mission Plan – February 12th
Crew 275 Mission Plan 12Feb2023
Crew 275 – ISAE-Supaero (France)
Crew Commander: Jeremy Rabineau
Executive Officer / Crew Engineer: Quentin Royer
Crew Journalist: Marie Delaroche
Health & Safety Officer: Corentin Senaux
Crew Botanist: Adrien Tison
Crew Scientist: Alice Chapiron
Crew Astronomer: Alexandre Vinas
The Crew 275, gathering 7 students from ISAE-Supaero (Toulouse, France), is planning to perform a wide range of scientific experiments and technology demonstrations during their mission at the MDRS. These activities will be performed based on the nine-year experience of ISAE-Supaero crews at the MDRS. For the first time, the mission will last a total of 4 weeks.
Physics
Two experiments from the French National Center of Scientific Research (CNRS) have been performed at the MDRS for several years already. We are planning to gather additional data for this season as well. These activities will require EVAs.
· LOAC (Light Optical Aerosol Counter): LOAC is an optical aerosol counter, measuring the concentrations of different particles in the air and classifying them by size.
Related EVAs: Two EVAs planned for the first week to install the device. Every two days, the batteries will have to be changed and the data will have to be collected. The latter procedures can be part of other EVAs.
External points of contact: Jean-Pierre Lebreton and Jean-Baptiste Renard, CNRS.
Point of contact within the crew: Alexandre Vinas.
· Mega-Ares: Mega-Ares is a sensor precisely measuring the electric field and the conductivity of the air. It is the little brother of Micro-Ares, the only payload of the Schiaparelli lander (ExoMars 2016).
Related EVAs: Performed simultaneously with the EVAs planned for LOAC. Two EVAs planned for the first week to install the device. Every two days, the batteries will have to be changed and the data will have to be collected. The latter procedures can be part of other EVAs.
External points of contact: Jean-Pierre Lebreton and Jean-Baptiste Renard, CNRS.
Point of contact within the crew: Alexandre Vinas.
Technology
Three technology demonstrations are planned, one of them being the continuation of last year’s mission of ISAE-Supaero (Crew 263). They are based on based on technologies developed by the French Space Agency (CNES) and its health subsidiary (MEDES), as well as a private company (Nucleus VR).
· AI4U: AI4U is an AI tool designed to help and assist astronauts in their daily tasks (environmental measurements, voice recognition, emergency procedures). The aim is to test this AI assistant in real or close-to-real scenarios.
Related EVAs: None.
External points of contact: Gregory Navarro and Laure Boyer, CNES.
Point of contact within the crew: Quentin Royer.
· Echofinder: Onboard the ISS, ultrasound scanners are teleoperated by trained specialists. As we travel further away from Earth, communication delays will increase and teleoperated devices will no longer be usable. The goal of Echofinder is to enable autonomous ultrasound acquisition sessions without any knowledge in medicine and any communication link with an experienced sonographer. The Echofinder tool uses augmented reality and an AI to help the operator capture usable imagery of the subject’s organs.
Related EVAs: None.
External point of contact: Aristée Thévenon, MEDES.
Point of contact within the crew: Marie Delaroche.
· Digital twins: Evaluation of a digital twin training method to help astronaut using hardware and better visualizing how to fix or use an object. This experiment will use a digital environment with a numerical 3D model of an object.
Related EVAs: None.
External point of contact: Aristée Thévenon, MEDES.
Point of contact within the crew: Marie Delaroche.
Human Factors
Three human factor experiments are planned for this season. They are the result of a collaboration with the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), the French Military Institute of Biomedical Research (IRBA), and the University of Burgundy (France).
· KTHitecture: Measure of the stress of analog astronauts and of the influence of environmental parameters on the stress using Polar bands bracelets, sleep monitoring using Dreem headbands, questionnaires, evaluation of the position of the analog astronauts in the station, and environmental measurement (temperature, humidity, etc.).
Related EVAs: None.
External point of contact: Michail Magkos, KTH.
Point of contact within the crew: Corentin Senaux.
· ETERNITI: Study of the psycho-physio-cognitive functioning and of the benefits of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in the context of Mars analog missions. taVNS consists in a non-invasive stimulation of the vagus nerve at the level of the ear. It is a very encouraging candidate as a countermeasure to mitigate the harmful effects of future interplanetary missions and improve individual performance. In the recent years, taVNS has indeed shown its potential to reduce symptoms, improve cognitive performance, and enhance recovery.
Related EVAs: No dedicated EVAs. However, this experiment will make use of EVAs planned for other experiments to evaluate their impact on the level of stress.
External point of contact: Barbara Le Roy, IRBA.
Point of contact within the crew: Jeremy Rabineau.
· Adapt Mars: Self-report questionnaires to explore some aspects linked to individual and social adaptation to isolated and confined extreme environments. The aim is to examine the social, emotional, occupational, and physical impact of these environments. Other objectives include: the impact on individual psychological adaptation factors (stress, recovery, defense mechanism, etc.) and interpersonal relationships (cohesion, leadership, etc.).
Related EVAs: None.
External points of contact: Michel Nicolas and Lou Perrot, University of Burgundy.
Point of contact within the crew: Corentin Senaux.
Botany
Two botany experiments are planned to take place at the Green Hab. They are designed with the support of researchers from ISAE-Supaero and NASA.
· Aquapony: The aim of this experiment is to test aquaponics systems inside the Green Hab and to evaluate their viability in Mars analog missions.
Related EVAs: None.
External point of contact: Nicolas Drougard, ISAE-Supaero.
Point of contact within the crew: Adrien Tison.
· Microgreens: The idea behind this activity is to grow crops of microgreens in the Green Hab. One of the main advantages of microgreens is that they grow quickly, meaning that four crops could be harvested in four weeks, with the possibility to include them in the food consumption of the crew. The focus will be put on the impact of a few conditions on how microgreens can grow in the Green Hab, including with water from the aquaponics systems.
Related EVAs: None.
External point of contact: Christina Johnson, NASA.
Point of contact within the crew: Adrien Tison.
Geology & Exploration
Two geology and exploration experiments are planned and will require dedicated EVAs. They have been prepared with scientists from CNRS and ISAE-Supaero. One of the experiments includes the use of a drone for which a license has been obtained by a crew member (Quentin Royer).
· MetMet: Test of material used to measure the magnetic susceptibility and electrical conductimetry of rocks to rapidly assess their type. This material is currently used to differentiate meteorites from terrestrial rocks.
Related EVAs: One EVA per week to collect samples.
External point of contact: Jerome Gattacceca, CNRS.
Point of contact within the crew: Alice Chapiron.
· Photogrametry: Test of the added value of having a 3D map of a terrain (mapped with an Anafi drone from Parrot) to prepare EVAs and facilitate exploration. These tests will include the localization and identification of specific objects of interest during EVAs, with and without prior familiarization with a 3D map of the terrain.
Related EVAs: A pilot EVA planned during the first week. Then three EVAs will be planned each week. For a given week, all EVAs will be performed at the same location (one for the 3D mapping and two for the exploration with or without the 3D mapping).
External point of contact: Raphaelle Roy, ISAE-Supaero.
Point of contact within the crew: Quentin Royer.
Biology
One biology experiment has been prepared with the university of Hawaii and will require dedicated EVAs.
· Biofinder: The aim of this experiment is to identify traces of life with a fluorescence technology instrument during EVA.
Related EVAs: One EVA per week to collect samples (in parallel with the MetMet EVAs).
External point of contact: Anupam Misra, University of Hawaii.
Point of contact within the crew: Alice Chapiron.
Astronomy
One astronomy project has already been prepared with Peter Detterline at the Mars Society.
· Asteroid characterization: The aim of this project is to measure the lightcurve, velocity, and rotation rate of pre-identified asteroids. It will make use of the C14 telescope in the robotic observatory at a frequency of two to three nights per week.
Related EVAs: None.
External point of contact: Peter Detterline, Mars Society.
Point of contact within the crew: Corentin Senaux.
Outreach
· France Televisions: Video documentary that will be part of the nightly news show on the channel France 3. Shooting is planned during week four (March 7th).
Related EVAs: No dedicated EVAs but the EVA planned during this day may be longer due to the presence of the journalist.
External point of contact: Keely Sullivan den Bergh, France Televisions.
Point of contact within the crew: Marie Delaroche.
· BBC: Video documentary. Shooting scheduled for one day at the end of week three (March 3rd or 4th), in addition to a few hours of filming without any interactions with the crew.
Related EVAs: No dedicated EVAs but the EVA planned during this day may be longer due to the presence of the journalist.
External point of contact: Nina Kojima, Partisan Media Limited.
Point of contact within the crew: Marie Delaroche.
Crew Bios – February 12th
Alexandre Vinas, Crew Astronomer
After a preparatory classes at the Pierre de Fermat school in Toulouse, it is at ISAE-Supaero that this space lover from Bordeaux can fulfull his space exploration dreams. Now in first year of Master, he will be Crew 275’s astronomer and will conduct an astronomy project about asteroid lightcurves at the Mars Desert Research Station.
Alice Chapiron, Crew Scientist
Alice Chapiron is a first year Master student at the French engineering school ISAE-Supaero located in Toulouse. She joined this school after two years of preparatory classes in the Lycée du Parc in Lyon. She chose this university in order to cultivate her passion for space exploration. She is passionate about science and wishes to complete a PhD in planetology.
Adrien Tison, GreenHab Office
Adrien has always had his eyes on the stars and also dreams of reaching the Moon (or even Mars). He joined ISAE-Supaero to give himself every chance of realizing this dream. Famous students from his school have shown the way and now he wants to participate and bring his convictions, values, seriousness, and skills to space exploration. He aims at contributing to technological advancements and being part of this formidable human adventure that breaks all borders. He will take part in this mission as GreenHab officer.
Marie Delaroche, Crew Journalist
After graduating from High School at the Lycée Français de New York and attending preparatory classes in Versailles for two years, Marie joined ISAE-Supaero with a single dream in mind: contributing to space exploration. As an aspiring writer and photographer, she will be Crew 275’s onboard journalist, in charge of outreach and documenting the mission.
Corentin Senaux, Health and Safety Officer
Corentin SENAUX is a first year Master student in aerospace engineering at ISAE-Supaero. Passionate about space, he aspires to work in a space agency to prepare future missions. Aware of environmental issues, he sees space as a way to get closer to Earth by knowing it better through space sciences. Athletic and joyful, he is committed to maintain the crew’s mental and physical health throughout the mission.
Quentin Royer, Crew Engineer
A long time space enthusiast, Quentin Royer joined MDRS Crew 275 as Crew Engineer. As a student in aerospace engineering at ISAE-Supaero, he will seize the opportunity of this MDRS analog mission to perform experiments and testing equipment that could be used in space in the future. Quentin is interested both by research and engineering and would like to work in human spaceflight or satellite operations. During the mission, he will have to make sure that all the vital equipment works properly, as well as all the technical experiments.
Jérémy Rabineau, Commander
After completing a Master’s degree in aerospace engineering at ISAE-Supaero, Jérémy Rabineau is now studying Space Physiology at Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium). He especially focuses on the cardiovascular system of astronauts and crews on Antarctic stations. He will be the Commander of Crew 275 during this month-long mission at the MDRS.
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