Month: February 2023

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GreenHab Report – February 15th

 

 

GreenHab Officer: Adrien Tison

Environmental control: Heater

Average Temperature: 70.55 °F

Average humidity: 19%

Hours of supplemental light: 4 hours

Daily water usage for crops: 8.77 gallons

Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 0 gallons

Water in the blue tank: 154.20 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops: 9:35 & 15:25

Changes to crops: N/A

Narrative: Last night the supplemental light didn’t light up at 10pm, I went to check it out, the timer just had a few minutes offset. I, thus, changed it back to normal; it worked as intended.

Today I maintained and watered crops and plants as my daily operations. There were some new dry leaves on tomatoes, thus, I cleaned them and watered well the tomatoes.

As a new habit, to help their leaves not to be dry, I pulverize water on crops’ leaves to simulate morning dew.

I then ran some water tests on the aquaponics to ensure the safety of the fishes, everything is well.

I also harvested tomatoes and lemon balm at 10:57; it was a wonderful surprise to discover that many tomatoes were ready to be harvested.

Harvest: 177g of tomatoes & 1g of lemon balm

Support/supplies needed: N/A

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Operations Report – February 15th

 

Crew 275 Operations Report 15Feb2023
SOL: 3

Name of person filing report: Quentin ROYER
Non-nominal systems:
• Toilets
• RAM: 1 leak in the roof
• Science Dome: 3 leaks in the walls
• Science Dome: Heater possibly non-nominal during the night
• GreenHab: supplemental light

Notes on non-nominal systems:
• RAM: 1 leak in the roof, probably due to snow. There was no leak in the morning due to freezing temperatures, but this afternoon the bucket which had been placed under the leak was full and had to be replaced.
• Science Dome: As yesterday, 1 leak coming from the junction between the ground and the wall under the window. A small amount of water leaked from the outside and flowed into the Science Dome. The puddle was about 1 cm high, 5 cm wide, and 3 meters long at 3:00 pm, and is located close to an electric socket. As yesterday, 1 leak coming from the junction between the ground and the wall near the door. The puddle was about 0.5 cm high, 3 cm wide, and 70 cm long at 3:00 pm. This second puddle fully dried during the afternoon. A third leak appeared at the junction between the ground and the wall under the window, but in the right side of the window. At 5:00 pm, the puddle was about 0.5 cm high, 4 cm wide and 1.5 meters long, and it is located close to an electric socket.
• Science Dome: as per protocol of an experiment, the Crew Engineer placed an environmental sensor in the Science Dome, including a temperature sensor. A recording of the temperature was performed during the night, and it shows that the temperature decreased during the whole night. Therefore, we assume that the heater did not turn on properly. I can send you the graph of the temperature between 11:55 pm and 6:55 am if you need it.
• GreenHab: supplemental light did not switch on yesterday at 10:00 pm. The Crew Botanist went in the GreenHab to set up the timer at the right time (it was 10 to 15 minutes late).

ROVERS
Spirit rover used: No
• Hours: 208.9
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: N/A
• Currently charging: Yes

Opportunity rover used: No
• Hours: 113.0
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: N/A
• Currently charging: Yes

Curiosity rover used: No
• Hours: 220.8
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: N/A
• Currently charging: Yes

Perseverance rover used: No
• Hours: 255.4
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: N/A
• Currently charging: Yes

General notes on rovers: No EVA today – the rovers were not used.

Summary of Hab operations: The crew conducted routine activities, including rehearsal of instruments’ deployment.
• WATER USE: 15.96 gallons
• Water: 424.35 gallons
• Static tank pipe heater: On
• Static tank heater: On
• Toilet tank emptied: No

Summary of internet: Hughes Net was used during the day before the opening of COMMS for email purposes, and Starlink (MDRSCampus-Guest) is used during COMMS. Internet for the AI4U experiment (MDRSCampus) was tested today within the boundaries of the protocol of this experiment and is fully operational.

Summary of suits and radios: Spacesuits and radio were not used today, as there was no EVA.

Summary of GreenHab operations: The Crew botanist conducted routine operations and water tests within the protocol of the aquaponics experiment.
• WATER USE: 8.77 gallons
• Heater: On
• Supplemental light: From 10:15 pm to 2:00 am – Timer settings were changed back to nominal
• Harvest: 177 g of tomatoes – 1 g of lemon balm

Summary of ScienceDome operations: The Commander and Crew Scientist tested some experimental protocols.
• Dual split: Heat / From 10 pm to 7 am – We suspect that the dual split did not work this night

Summary of RAM operations: Trainings for the MegaAres experiment were performed. The Crew Engineer repaired a support arm used for the EchoFinder experiment. Environmental sensors were prepared for future deployment.

Summary of any observatory issues: Nothing to report.

Summary of health and safety issues: There was a small safety issue in the RAM using a welding iron. As the welding iron was still hot, it made contact with a small piece of aluminum which started to melt. The resulting hole is very small, about a centimeter in diameter. He reacted quickly by removing the welding iron when the first vapors arrived, and putting it in the RAM airlock. He contacted the Hab to inform us before turning on the supplemental ventilation of the RAM, as there was no immediate risk for his health.

Questions, concerns, and requests to Mission Support: None

Posted on

Astronomy Report – February 15th

 

 

Astronomy Report

Name: Alexandre VINAS

Crew: 275
Date: 02/15/2023

MDRS ROBOTIC OBSERVATORY

Robotic Telescope Requested (choose one) MDRS-14 MDRS-WF

Objects Viewed: /

Problems Encountered: snow, wind, and clouds

MUSK OBSERVATORY

Solar Features Observed: /

Problems Encountered: snow and clouds…

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Journalist Report – February 15th

 

 

Sol 3 – Waiting for a Martian spring;

“It was quiet in the deep morning of Mars, as quiet as a cool and black well, with stars shining in the canal waters, […] the moons gone, the torches cold, the stone amphitheaters deserted.”

– Chapter 3 of The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

Me and my fellow Martians awoke this morning, some of us not as well rested as they hoped, and looked out the Hab window to find that the sky had not cleared, possibly impacting the EVA planned on Sol 4 to install MegaAres and LOAC. After the daily health status check session and a forcibly shortened workout session, we went to work: Corentin, Alexandre and I practiced building the Mega Ares antenna, with a few mishaps and unexpected breakage. Meanwhile, Alice made our first batch of bread (!) while Quentin started mounting the environmental sensors.

The test session for the EchoFinder experiment, designed to aid astronauts in performing ultrasounds using an AI and augmented reality, was a bit chaotic: The support arm used to maintain the tablet was not usable, and one of the two QR cubes used to track the device was wrongly positioned. We will make some adjustments before the first actual session takes place later this week.

After a very active morning, eating Alice’s freshly baked bread for lunch was the perfect fixer upper. A few laughs and a good meal gave us the energy to continue plowing through the day. In the afternoon, the Hab went somewhat quiet as everyone went their separate ways to complete their tasks, and took turns completing cognitive tests and posture analyses. By 6pm, thanks to Alexandre, the MegaAres antenna was ready for tomorrow’s important EVA!

In sum, a quiet Sol, in anticipation and preparation of the next.

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Journalist Report – February 14th

 

 

Sol 2 – Journey to the Poles

“It was like those days when you heard a thunderstorm coming and there was the waiting silence and then the faintest pressure of the atmosphere as the climate blew over the land in shifts and shadows and vapors. […] The sky was stained and coloured; the clouds were thickened; the mountains took on an iron taint.”

– Chapter 2 of The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

Snow! This morning, Crew 275 realized that their rocket has landed too close to the poles: a thick layer of frozen carbon dioxide started covering the station in the morning. Our solar panels were also covered, preventing us from using certain appliances such as the oven: no bread for us today…

Preparation of atmospheric experiments continued: Quentin started pre-mounting the weather station while Alexandre prepared the batteries to power the LOAC and MegaAres. However, the decision was made to confine the crew in the Hab when the temperature in the RAM dropped below 40°F, leaving some activities unfinished. Thankfully, Adrien warmed us all with a carrot broth made with his daily harvest from the GreenHab.

Some crewmates voiced their frustration due to the lack of productivity because of the cold and bad weather, but morale is still high, and thankfully no EVAs were planned for today. Alice, our crew Scientist, has been juggling with the many unexpected events and delays to organize the schedule these past two Sols, and hopes experiments will be in place quickly! She expressed her joy to see snow from the Hab windows.

Despite the leaks detected in the RAM and Science Dome, progress was also made in installing the KTHitecture experiment, the objective being to measure the influence that the architecture and environmental characteristics of a Martian base can have on astronauts. Alexandre continued calibrating temperature sensors and Quentin managed to connect them to the local network. A first test will take place during the night, both in the Science Dome and the lower deck.

In the GreenHab, Adrien and I finished installing the aquaponics system, which is now operational. It comprises a water tank housing some fishes and a rack for plants. A pump injects water from the tank into the rack, and thus the water is kept circulating in a closed loop, where the fishes’ dejections help the plants’ roots to develop. During the entire mission, Adrien will be closely monitoring their growth.

Overall, I would say this day demonstrates the crew’s resilience and ability to adapt. Nevertheless, we cannot help but hope for a less cloud-heavy sky for the next Sol!

Posted on

Astronomy Report – February 14th

 

 

Astronomy Report

Name: Alexandre VINAS

Crew: 275
Date: 02/14/2023

MDRS ROBOTIC OBSERVATORY

Robotic Telescope Requested (choose one) MDRS-14 MDRS-WF

Objects Viewed: /

Problems Encountered: The submitted observations have not been completed. I suppose that the weather was too cloudy.

MUSK OBSERVATORY

Solar Features Observed: /

Problems Encountered: Not used because of snow.

Posted on

GreenHab Report – February 14th

 

 

GreenHab Officer: Adrien Tison

Environmental control: Heater

Average Temperature: 67.32 °F

Average humidity: 20%

Hours of supplemental light: 4 hours

Daily water usage for crops: 7.39 gallons

Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 6.86 gallons

Water in the blue tank: 163.97 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops: 8:57 & 15:36

Changes to crops: Re-planted carrot seeds where I harvested them, ie. In the blue tank on the far-left side of the GreenHab. Also planted radish seeds in the blue tank containing beans and cucumber.

Narrative: Maintained and watered crops and plants as my daily operations. There were some dry leaves on tomatoes located in the upper storage. Cleaned them and watered the tomatoes a little more than the rest.

Harvested carrots and thyme in the morning for lunch. Reseeded carrots and seeded radish.

Began by sealing the aquaponics to ensure no leak before turning it on. Fishes are doing well in their tank. More water was needed as I added the tank for the plants, but from now on no more water should be needed for the aquaponics. The pump is working, plants are in place, and water is circulating, to conclude, the aquaponics is now functional.

Harvest: 166g of carrots (without fanes, 364g if you count fanes which were used for this lunch’s soup) & 2g of thyme

Support/supplies needed: N/A

Posted on

Operations Report – February 14th

 

 

Crew 275 Operations Report

14th Feb 2023

SOL: 2

Name of person filing report: Quentin ROYER
Non-nominal systems:
• Toilets
• Leftmost knob of stove
• RAM: 1 leak in the roof
• Science Dome: 2 leaks in the walls

Notes on non-nominal systems:
• Leftmost knob of stove: the knob was not working, so we removed it and used the 3D-printed one which is next to it. As we have a 3D-printer (we have not tried it yet), we might 3D-print a new knob before the end of the mission, with your approval.
• RAM: 1 leak in the roof, probably due to snow. There is approximately one drop every four seconds. We discovered the leak during the afternoon and have taken appropriate measures. We placed a bucket under the leak (at 4:20 pm), to collect the water. We removed every sensitive items from the ground and covered them with tarps. I took pictures of the current situation and can send them to you if that can help.
• Science Dome: 1 leak coming from the junction between the ground and the wall under the window. A small amount of water leaked from the outside and flowed into the Science Dome. The puddle was about 1 cm high, 5 cm wide, and 3 meters long at 5:00 pm, and is located close to an electric socket. 1 leak coming from the junction between the ground and the wall near the door. The puddle was about 0.5 cm high, 3 cm wide, and 70 cm long at 5:00 pm. This second puddle partially dried during the afternoon. I took pictures of the situation if you need.

ROVERS
Spirit rover used: No
• Hours: 208.9
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: N/A
• Currently charging: Yes

Opportunity rover used: No
• Hours: 113.0
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: N/A
• Currently charging: Yes

Curiosity rover used: No
• Hours: 220.8
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: N/A
• Currently charging: Yes

Perseverance rover used: No
• Hours: 255.4
• Beginning charge: 100%
• Ending charge: N/A
• Currently charging: Yes

General notes on rovers: No EVA today – the rovers were not used.

Summary of Hab operations: The crew conducted routine activities including deployment of experiments.
• WATER USE: 18.07 gallons
• Water: 440.34 gallons
• Static tank pipe heater: On
• Static tank heater: On
• Toilet tank emptied: Yes

Summary of internet: Hughes Net was used during the day before the opening of COMMS for email purposes, and Starlink is used during COMMS. Environmental sensors were connected to Outpost 2g local network. We use the latter to have a communication between the sensors and a computer. No internet data should be used through this process, as we only use it locally.

Summary of suits and radios: Spacesuits were not used today, as there was no EVA. Spacesuit n°6 was repaired yesterday and is not considered as non-nominal anymore.

Summary of GreenHab operations: The Crew botanist set up the aquaponics system, harvested and watered the crops. He also seeded carrots.
• WATER USE: 14.25 gallons
• Heater: On
• Supplemental light: From 10 pm to 2 am
• Harvest: 166 g of carrots (without leaves, and 364 g with leaves) – 2 g of thyme

Summary of ScienceDome operations: The Commander and crew Scientist tested some experimental protocols, and observations were performed with regards to the leaks. An environmental sensor was placed on the table.
• Dual split: Heat / From 10 pm to 7 am

Summary of RAM operations: Crew Engineer and crew Astronomer trained to build the weather station which will be set up during an EVA later on. Countermeasures were taken with regard to the leak. RAM operations were suspended at 11 am because of the very cold conditions in the RAM.

Summary of any observatory issues: Nothing to report.

Summary of health and safety issues: A crew member slightly hurt their finger during routine operations.

Questions, concerns, and requests to Mission Support:
• Does the astronomer have his own wifi network to plan the observations? If so, what are the login and password? If not, which wifi network should he use to plan observations?
• Would it be possible to have an extended use of the Starlink network? We have one experiment which will require a 24/7 access to a good internet connection. It will not use much data (we can monitor it with you on the first days, and reduce it if needed). Would it be possible to have a 24/7 access to Starlink? Again, we will not use it all the time, we will use it during random moments of the day.
• If the previous request is not possible, is it possible to have a supplemental access to Starlink between 2 pm and 5 pm?

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