Month: April 2023

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GreenHab Report – April 24th

Crew 280 Green Hab Report 24-04-2023

SOL8 Greenhab Report

GreenHab Officer: Laia Ribas

Environmental control: Open during the day and heater during the night

Temperatures: 79.1 F

Hours of supplemental light: N/A

Daily water usage for crops: 14 gallons

Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 1

Water in Blue Tank: 91 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops: 08.00, 17:30 h

Changes to crops: N/A

Narrative:
The general watering of plants and crops was done. The door was opened in the morning due to high temperatures and closed during the afternoon to keep the GreenHab warm at night. The temperature reached 85.6 F at 14.00h.

Harvest: 8g rocket, 20g of microbeets/beens, 1g lemon balm, 40g yellow tomatoes, 63g red tomatoes.
Today, a 60g of Salad Mix belonging to the project named as “Seed for the Crew ” led by the Green Hab Officer was harvested for the first time. These seeds are growing in an independent box with wet tissue paper.

Support/supplies needed
A mouse was found in the trap. It has been removed by Mission Support.

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EVA Report – April 24th

Crew 280 EVA Report 23-04-2023

EVA #8

Author: Ariadna Farres (HSO & Scientist)

The EVA had two goals:

Evaluate the feasibility of navigation strategies and finalize the navigation exercise for the crew.
Drone flight training around an area with obstacles.

Start time: 10:05 AM

End time: 12:10 PM

Narrative: This morning, the Hypatia I team evaluated the weather and the condition of the road before some crew members started their EVA. For this purpose, they inspected the terrain around the base, which was dry despite the rain of yesterday night. Having identified no muddy areas, they concluded that the road conditions around the base were good and decided to proceed with the EVA. The crew also discussed the possibility of returning to the base in case of finding wet terrain along the road closer to the destination, which was not the case.

After performing 5 minutes of depressurization in the front airlock, the EVA team took Perseverance and Spirit rovers and headed towards Robert’s Rock Garden to perform two different tasks: 1) find landmarks in the area and prepare the navigation exercise for the crew; 2) maneuver the crew’s small drone in an area with obstacles.

During the pass along Kissing Camel Ridge the EVA crew lost communication with the base, once the rovers were parked around Robert’s Rock Garden we managed to re-establish communication with the base by moving around and pointing the EVA leader’s antenna north. Once communication with the base was established, the EVA team split themselves into two groups. The first group, Mariona Badenas (Commander & Astronomer) and Carla Conejo (Executive Officer & Biologist) walked to an elevated area in one of the hills in Kissing Camel Ridge to perform the drone flights. The second group Ariadna Farrés (Scientist & HSO) and Cesca Cufí (Engineer) walked around the area identifying landmarks, mapping the area and planning the navigation exercise to perform next Thursday with the whole crew. The two groups maintained constant visual and radio communications.

To facilitate the communications between the EVA crew and the EVA leader, the EVA leader decided to switch between channel one and two on the radios. Channel one was switched on every 30 min to re-establish communications with the base.

Around 11:50 AM the team decided to return to the MDRS, which they reached at 12:10PM. Before entering the Hab, we followed the 5-minutes pressurization protocol.

Destination: Roberts Rock Garden

Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 518000 E, 4249000 N

EVA participants: 4: Ariadna Farres (HSO & Scientist) (EVA Leader), Mariona Badenas (Commander & Astronomer), Cesca Cufi (Engineer), Carla Conejo (Executive Officer & Biologist).

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Drive on Cow Dung Road 0110.

Mode of travel: Drive on Cow Dung Road 0110 to Robert’s Rock Garden then walking around no farther than 1000 meters for sampling.

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Sol Summary – April 23rd

Crew 280 Sol Summary Report 23-04-2023

Sol: 7

Summary title: A Red Rose for a Red Planet

Author’s name: Mariona Badenas-Agustí, Commander.

Mission status: Nominal

Sol activity summary: Martian days are longer than on Earth, but Hypatia I’s perception of time is that each day at the MDRS is flying by very quickly. Indeed, it is hard to believe that a week has already gone by since the arrival of the crew to the Red Planet. Having embarked on its MDRS adventure more than 2 years ago, and with today marking the equator of our mission, the Hypatia I crew could not be prouder of what it has accomplished so far. At the same time, the team acknowledges the invaluable support of entities and institutions that have collaborated with the Hypatia Mars Association and that have made Hypatia I a reality.

To celebrate the halfway point of our mission, the crew started the day with a filling breakfast of cereals, oats, and homemade bread. Then, at around 10AM, Núria Jar (Crew Journalist), Cesca Cufí (Engineer), Laia Ribas (GreenHab Officer), and Neus Sabaté (Mission Specialist) conducted an EVA to CompassRock with the primary goal of collecting sand samples and iron-rich rocks. After the EVA team returned to the base, everyone enjoyed a delicious pasta dish with tomato and basil. It was definitely a great way to recharge batteries and start the afternoon on a good note.

One of the day’s activities was an arts & crafts workshop led by Ariadna Farrés (Health & Safety Officer). Through this workshop, the crew learned how to create roses made of origami paper in honor of St. George’s Day, a beautiful holiday in Barcelona where roses and books are given to loved ones as symbols of affection and appreciation. With origami roses representing a little piece of Catalonia on the Red Planet, the crew felt a strong connection to their Catalan roots and reflected on the importance of maintaining cultural traditions, even in the most challenging environments.

Upon concluding the origami workshop, the crew resumed their experimental work. Tonight, everyone is looking forward to an early night in preparation for our last week on Mars.

Look ahead plan: Some crew members will conduct an EVA to Robert’s Rock Garden. Cesca Cufí (Crew Engineer) may also organize a meditation workshop for those who are interested.

Anomalies in work: None.

Weather: Sunny. Low 35F/High 63F.

Crew physical status: Nominal.

EVA: There was one EVA today to Compass Rock (see EVA Report).

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA request, EVA Report, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Pictures of the Day.

Support Requested: None.

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Operations Report – April 23rd

Crew 280 Operations Report 23-04-2023
SOL:7
Name of person filing report: Cesca Cufi (Crew Engineer)
Non-nominal systems:
Robotic Observatory
Rover Spirit
Notes on non-nominal systems: Replacement parts of Robotic observatory are scheduled to be installed during crew 261 rotation.Corroded battery wire in Rover Spirit. Replacement pending (Sergii). Rover can only be used for short distance EVA.

ROVERS
Spirit rover used: no
Hours: 217.0
Beginning charge: –
Ending charge: –
Currently charging: yes
Opportunity rover used: yes
Hours: 121.9
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 74%
Currently charging: yes
Curiosity rover used: yes
Hours: 231.0
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 66%
Currently charging: yes
Perseverance rover used: no
Hours: 261.5
Beginning charge: –
Ending charge:-
Currently charging: yes
General notes on rovers: none
Summary of Hab operations:
WATER USE: 15 gal (from 6PM Sol4 to 6PM Sol5)
Water (static tank): 351 gal (at 6:00PM)
Static tank pipe heater: off
Static tank heater: off
Toilet tank emptied: no
Summary of internet: used from 18:00 to 21:00 for personal communication and reports.
Summary of suits and radios:
Suits: 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Radios: nominal
All radio and spacesuit batteries checked before EVA: Yes. All nominal.
Summary of GreenHab operations: put notes here
WATER USE: 11 gallons
Heater: Off
Supplemental light: Off
Harvest: none
Summary of ScienceDome operations: Laia Ribas, Neus Sabaté and Cesca Cufí have been working on their experiments.
Dual split: Heat or AC, Off
Summary of RAM operations: none
Summary of any observatory issues:
Robotic observatory: Not working. Replacement parts are scheduled to be installed during crew 261 rotation.
Summary of health and safety issues: none
Summary of other system’s issues: none
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support:
Requests: none
Spirit rover: replacement of the corroded wire – expected next week
Kitchen: knobs replacement – expected next week

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Journalist Report – April 23rd

Crew 280 Journalist Report 23-04-2023

Author: Núria Jar, Crew Journalist

The crew members of Hypatia I were feeling homesick on April 23rd. This is a special day in Catalonia, also known as Sant Jordi’s day. It is a celebration of literature and love, where people exchange roses and books with their loved ones. Although they missed the festive atmosphere and the traditions of their home country, they found a way to celebrate this special day, probably the first ever Sant Jordi’s on Mars.

The Crew Scientist, Ariadna Farrés, taught their colleagues how to make origami roses to celebrate the day on Mars. She is a master of origami, while others tried to do their best. The crew members enjoyed the activity, relaxed themselves for a while, and felt a sense of connection to their home country and culture, even though they were miles away from Earth. They made a dragon bookmark and a decorative rose, both made of paper.

In relation to books, the Hypatia I crew members brought many about Mars and space exploration to the Mars Research Desert Station (MDRS). The Red Planet has inspired mythology, literature and scientific research for centuries, as these books show. The crew members have been enjoying reading and discussing these books during their free time.

One of these books was “Una ciutat a Mart” (“A city on Mars”), written by astrophysicist Guillem Anglada-Escudé and other scientists for the general public, particularly kids. In this recent book, they develop the idea of how a human settlement on Mars would be. The Greenhab Officer, Laia Ribas, was a contributor to the study SONet (The Sustainable Offworld Network), which inspired this book.

Another interesting book was “Mart. El mirall vermell” (“Mars. The red mirror”). It collects different articles from people related to an exhibition, which took place in Barcelona in 2021. The Crew Commander, Mariona Badenas-Agustí, wrote a chapter with her experience at the MDRS last 2019 with LATAM-III.

It was a creative and fun way to celebrate Sant Jordi’s day. Definitely a heartwarming Sunday moment at the station.

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GreenHab Report – April 23rd

CREW 280 Green Hab Report 23-04-2023

GreenHab Officer: Laia Ribas

Environmental control: Open during the day and heater during the night

Temperatures: 72.5 F

Hours of supplemental light: N/A

Daily water usage for crops: 10,5 gallons

Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 0.5

Water in Blue Tank: 106 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops: 08.00, 17:30 h

Changes to crops: N/A

Narrative:
The general watering of plants and crops was done. The door was opened in the morning due to high temperatures and closed during the afternoon to keep the GreenHab warm in night. The temperature reached 81F at 14.00h.

Harvest: no harvest

Support/supplies needed
The metallic watering can, which has the best shape for watering plants, has a hole in the base. Nevertheless, I always used the pink one with 8L of capacity.

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EVA Report – April 23rd

Crew 280 EVA Report 23-04-2023

EVA #7

Author: Neus Sabaté (Mission Specialist)

The EVA had four goals:

Check communications between the Midland radios that we brought for a larger distance between the EVA crew and the base
Collecting some iron-containing rock samples to evaluate its use for Martian batteries
Collecting some sand samples to search for microorganisms

Documenting the rock sampling for outreach purposes

Start time: 10:00 AM

End time: 12:10 PM

Narrative: After performing 5 minutes of depressurization in the front airlock, the EVA team took Curiosity and Opportunity rovers and headed towards Compass Rock. Following Mission Support’s advice, the team decided to drive at a very slow pace, which significantly decreased the discharging rate of the battery rovers. During the journey, communication with the Hub was checked every five minutes. Soon after taking Galileo Road, the transmission with the Hub became weak and on the first turn communication with the base was lost. At that point, communication with Midland radios was tested, with negative results.The team reached the final destination 10 minutes later. At Compass Rock, the team explored the area within a radius of no more than 1000 meters from the rovers. Cesca Cufí and Neus Sabaté climbed to a hill and established contact with the base. Then, they collected different samples, mainly sandstone rocks of sizes between 5-15 cm of diameter. In the meantime, Laia Ribas collected red sandstone at three different locations while Nuria Jar documented the collecting process by taking images of the locations. At 11:40AM the team decided to return to the MDRS, which they reached at 12:10PM. Before entering the Hab, we followed the 5-minutes pressurization protocol.

Destination: Compass Rock

Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 520000 E, 4252000 N

EVA participants: 4: Neus Sabate (Mission Specialist and EVA leader), Núria Jar (Crew Journalist), Cesca Cufi (Crew Engineer) and Laia Ribas (Green Hab Officer).

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Drive north on Cow Dung Road 0110, turn east on Galileo Road 1104.

Mode of travel: Driving on Cow Dung Road 0110 to Galileo Road 1104. Drive 0.8 miles until Compass Rock. Then walking around no farther than 1000 meters for sampling.

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Sol Summary – April 22nd

Crew 280 Sol Summary Report 22-04-2023

Sol: 6

Summary title: Loud and Clean

Author’s name: Mariona Badenas-Agustí, Commander.

Mission status: Nominal

Sol activity summary:

The Hypatia I crew celebrated the start of the weekend with homemade pancakes and both savory and sweet combinations. After finishing breakfast, Carla Conejo González (Executive Officer & Biologist), Ariadna Farrés (Scientist & HSO), and Laia Ribas (GreenHab Officer) conducted an EVA around the base.

As the rest of the crew continued their scientific work indoors, the EVA team ventured outside to hone their drone flying skills and clear the area around the station, where there was a lot of space debris due to the high Martian winds of the past few days.

The team gathered for a well-deserved lunch at around 1PM. Today, Cesca Cufí ( Engineer) and Mariona Badenas-Agusti (Commander) served up a hot and hearty lunch of lentils infused with a tomato and vegetable sauce. This meal nourished the crew’s spirits and provided the perfect backdrop for a lively discussion about the future of the Hypatia Mars Association.

Later today, the crew will prepare dinner and play an exciting cardboard game, inspired by the very mission they are part of.

Look ahead plan: The crew is planning on holding a meditation session as well as a creative workshop dedicated to creating origami roses for St. George’s Day (also known as The Day of the Rose in Catalonia).

Anomalies in work: None.

Weather: Sunny. Low 42F/High 63F.

Crew physical status: Nominal.

EVA: We conducted an EVA around the base to fly a small drone and clean the terrain from space-debris.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA request, EVA Report, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Pictures of the Day.

Support Requested: None.

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