Crew 280 Operations Report 22-04-2023
SOL:6
Name of person filing report: Neus Sabaté (Mission Specialist)
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 expected for next week. 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: no
Hours: 121.1
Beginning charge: –
Ending charge: –
Currently charging: yes
Curiosity rover used: no
Hours: 230.1
Beginning charge: –
Ending charge: –
Currently charging: yes
Perseverance rover used: no
Hours: 261.5
Beginning charge: –
Ending charge:-
Currently charging: yes
General notes on rovers: last check made on SOL 5 (12:05 PM)
Summary of Hab operations: put notes here
WATER USE: 31 gal (from 6PM Sol4 to 6PM Sol5)
Water (static tank): 366 gal (at 6:00PM)
Static tank pipe heater: off
Static tank heater: off
Toilet tank emptied: yes
Summary of internet: used from 18:00 to 21:00 for personal communication and reports.
Summary of suits and radios:
Suits: 1, 4 and 7
Radios: nominal
All radio and spacesuit batteries checked before EVA: Yes. All nominal.
Summary of GreenHab operations: put notes here
WATER USE: 14 gallons
Heater: Off
Supplemental light: Off
Harvest: 234 g cucumber, 112 g tomatoes, 4 g chives, 15 g jazz mix, 1 g salvia and 8 g mint
Summary of ScienceDome operations: Laia Ribas, Neus Sabaté and Cesca Cufí have been working on their experiments.
Dual split: 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: Some bridles have been added in the tunnels.
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support:
Requests:
Spirit rover: replacement of the corroded wire – expected next week
Kitchen: knobs replacement – expected next week
Journalist Report – April 22nd
Crew 280 Journalist Report 22-04-2023
Author: Núria Jar, Crew Journalist
Saturday’s sun came without warning. Hypatia I crew members woke up lazily and they slowly sat around the table to have a coffee and weekend homemade pancakes. It was a peaceful and relaxing start for the Martian day SOL 6. Some were eager to continue with their experiments, while others were looking forward to exploring the outside. But all had one duty in mind: clean the station and its surroundings to maintain the habitability of Mars.
Three of the crew members conducted an extravehicular activity (EVA) around the MDRS to collect some bridles which were left on the ground. Hypatia I is very conscious about the importance of maintaining the integrity of the environment, especially to reduce the impact of human presence. The preservation of Mars and space is important for many reasons if we want to transform society into an interplanetary species.
Within the station, after a few hours of hard work, the Hab was looking pristine, ready for another week of experiments and exploration. The cleaning was reflected in the water consumption. From 11 liters per person on average, last day the consumption increased to 16 liters per person. Anyway, Hypatia I is proud of their water consumption during the first half of the simulation. They are learning to manage their daily routine with less water, which is crucial for long-duration space missions.
Another crucial routine for the crew is doing exercise in the morning. The Hab’s lower deck was transformed into a gym, where crew members can maintain their physical health. The back-up Crew Engineer, Helena Arias, developed personalized exercises tables for all crew members that can be done in a small space in a situation of confinement. Exercise is crucial for preventing muscle and bone loss, maintaining cardiovascular health, and improving overall well-being.
Finally, the crew flew a small drone around the base and took amazing pictures, such as one of the Crew Commander, Mariona Badenas-Agustí, from the window, where she said “Loud and clean.”
GreenHab Report – April 22nd
Crew 280 Green Hab Report 22-04-2023
GreenHab Officer: Laia Ribas
Environmental control: Open during the day and heater during the night
Temperatures: 80.5 F
Hours of supplemental light: N/A
Daily water usage for crops: 14 gallons
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 0
Water in Blue Tank: 117 gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops: 08.00, 16:30 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 due to the wind.
Harvest: 234 g cucumber, 112 g tomatoes, 4 g chives, 15 g jazz mix, 1 g salvia and 8 g mint
Support/supplies needed
EVA Report – April 22nd
Crew 280 EVA Report 22-04-2023
EVA #6
Author: Ariadna Farrés (HSO)
The EVA had two goals:
Drone flight around the base, with the purpose of continuing training drone maneuvers and to take some nice pictures/videos of the base for outreach purposes, by Carla Conejo (XO & Biologist) and Ariadna Farrés (Scientist & HSO).
Clean the plastic debris scattered around the base during the high-wind past days; Laia Ribas (GreenHab Officer).
Start time: 10:00 AM
End time: 11:45 AM
Narrative: After performing 5 minutes of depressurization in the front airlock, the EVA team started to walk towards Marble Ritual to find a good spot to start flying the drone to take some nice pictures/videos of the base. Three flights with the drone were performed: for the first flight the crew stayed in Marble Ritual and the drone flew towards the base and back where we were able to take some nice videos and pictures from the air. During the second flight the drone followed the crew back to the base, and the third flight was around the base.
Once the crew was back to base, the crew spent approximately 30 min walking around collecting plastic and metal debris that were scattered because of the winds of the last few days. The crew collected a total of 170g plastic debris, including bridles and other plastics, and 204g of metal debris, including wires and old nails.
Before entering the Hab, we followed the 5-minutes pressurization protocol.
Destination: Around the base and no further than Marble Ritual.
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 518000 E, 4251000 N
EVA participants: 3: Ariadna Farrés (Scientist & HSO) (EVA Leader), Carla Conejo (XO & Biologist), Laia Ribas (GreenHab Officer).
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Walk around the base and Cow Dung Road 0110
Mode of travel: Walk around the base and no further than 500m until Marble Ritual.
Supplemental Operations Report 22Apr2023
[title Supplemental Operations Report – April 22th]
Name of person filing report: Sergii Iakymov
Reason for Report: Routine.
Non-Nominal Systems: Robotic observatory.
Action taken for non-nominal systems: New parts for Robotic observatory are received and scheduled to be installed during Crew 261 rotation.
Power system:
Solar: nominalSOC Last 24 hours: Max 100%; Min 61 %; Avg 78.4%.
VDC Last 24 hours: Max 59.12V; Min 46.35; Avg 51.61V.Generator run time: about 12am – 6am. Not used on April 15th.
Propane Reading Station Tank: 77%
Propane Reading Director Tank: 73%
Propane Reading Intern Tank: 71%
Propane Reading Generator Tank: 77%
Water (Static Tank) – 366 gallons
Water in GreenHab – 117 gallons
Water (Outpost tank) – 442 gallons
Water in Science Dome: 0 gallons
Hab Toilet Tank emptied: n/a
Sojourner rover used: Yes, to Zubrin’s Head and back.
Hours: 190.7
Beginning Charge: 100
Ending Charge: 100
Currently Charging: Yes
Notes on Rovers: All are plugged in, charged. All corroded battery wires were received and replaced. Sojourner and Spirit need one additional short battery wire to be replaced. Parts are in transit.
ATV’s Used: (Honda, 350.1, 350.2, 300): None
Reason for use: n/a
Oil Added? No
ATV Fuel Used: 0 Gals
Ethanol Free Gasoline — 0 Gallons
# Hours the ATVs were Used today: 0
Notes on ATV: All parked at the outpost and awaiting to be taken to service.
HabCar used and why, where? Yes. Picked up in Loa after repair, its alternator was replaced. To Hanksville for water runs and supplies pick up.
Crew Car used and why, where? Yes. From Grand Junction by crew. To Hanksville for water runs and supplies.
General notes and comments: Hab Car alternator was replaced.
Dual Split in Science Dome: off due to warmer weather.
Summary of Internet: Nominal
Summary of suits and radios: Nominal
EVA COMMS: Nominal
Campus wide inspection, if action taken, what and why: nothing to report
Summary of General Operations: All nominal.
Summary of Hab operations: Nominal. Hab heater was offline several times this week due to strong north winds. Current work is nominal after restart.
Summary of GreenHab Operations: Nominal.
Summary of SciDome Operations: Nominal.
Summary of any Observatory Issues: New parts for Robotic observatory are received and scheduled to be installed during Crew 261 rotation .
Summary of RAM Operations: Nothing to report
Summary of Outpost Operations:
Shade exterior painting completed. It will require a second coat in a month or so.
Old wood from the clothesline deck is in the process of being burned.
Director’s trailer:
1) Heater went offline after strong winds. The control board displayed a fault code (single red light flashing) – limit switch/airflow problem. Unplugging the control board from power resolved the problem.
2) Porch was leveled.
Summary of Health and Safety Issues: Nominal.
Questions, Concerns, Supplies needed and Requests: Nothing to report
Crew Photos – April 21th
GreenHab Report – April 21th
Crew 280 GreenHab Report 21Apr2023
GreenHab Officer: Laia Ribas
Environmental control: Open during the day and heater during the night
Temperatures: 73.5F
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: 131 gallon
Time(s) of watering for crops: 09.30, 17:30 h
Changes to crops: N/A.
Narrative:
The general watering of plants and crops was done. The door was open the whole day with high temperatures and no wind. Neus Sabaté has taken 200gr of soil from Green Hab wheelbarrow to grow seeds for her Martian Batteries experiment at the Science Dome. One tomato plant has been moved where most of the others as during the night, the heater wind went directly to it.
The floor has been swept.
Harvest: 289 g cucumber (1 piece), 36 g micro greens, 163 g tomatoes, 1 g chives, 27g jazz mix, 1g salvia, and 1g thyme
Support/supplies needed
Sol Summary – April 21th
Crew 280 Sol Summary Report 21-04-2023
Sol: 5
Summary title: Together in Isolation
Author’s name: Mariona Badenas-Agustí, Commander.
Mission status: Nominal
Sol activity summary: We kicked off the day with a nice breakfast followed by a 2-hour EVA to Roberts Rock Garden, where four crew members (Núria Jar, Neus Sabaté, Ariadna Farrés, and Cesca Cufí) explored the region with two main goals in mind: on the one hand, create a navigation map for future orientation challenges, and on the other, collect iron-rich rocks to create innovative Martian batteries.
At the end of the EVA, the team returned to the base, ready to refuel with a lunch prepared by Carla Conejo González (Executive Officer and Biologist) and Mariona Badenas-Agusti (Crew Commander & Astronomer). For this meal, the crew ate dehydrated scrambled eggs with a salad of greens and tomatoes from the GreenHab. In the afternoon, everyone worked on their research, with some members continuing to prepare their experimental setups.
Just before communicating with Mission Support, we enjoyed some homemade chocolate chip cookies. Tonight, Carla and Mariona have planned a “space” surprise for the team and everyone will watch a movie to welcome the start of the weekend. In a few days, Hypatia I will have spent a full week on Mars, conducting research, learning from each other, and adapting to a new lifestyle on the Red Planet.
Look ahead plan: The crew is looking forward to celebrating the day of St. George on Sunday. This Catalan celebration involves giving roses to friends, but given that roses do not exist on Mars, they will make them by hand with origami. In addition, the crew will organize a meditation workshop and an informal research symposium.
Anomalies in work: None.
Weather: Sunny. Low 35F/High 62F.
Crew physical status: Nominal.
EVA: We conducted an EVA to Roberts Rock Garden to collect iron oxide samples and plan a navigation GPS challenge.
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA request, EVA Report, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Pictures of the Day.
Support Requested: Retrieval of trash in the rear airlock.
Operations Report – April 21th
Crew 280 Operations Report 21-04-2023
SOL: 5
Name of person filing report: Neus Sabaté (Mission Specialist) and Cesca Cufí (Crew Engineer))
Non-nominal systems:
Robotic observatory.
Rover Spirit.
Notes on non-nominal systems sections:
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: yes
Hours: 217.0
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 65%
Currently charging: yes
Opportunity rover used: no
Hours: 121.1
Beginning charge: –
Ending charge: –
Currently charging: no
Curiosity rover used: no
Hours: 230.1
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 65%
Currently charging: yes
Perseverance rover used: yes
Hours: 261.5
Beginning charge: –
Ending charge: –
Currently charging: no
General notes on rovers: none
Summary of Hab operations:
Water use: 22 gal (from 6PM Sol4 to 6PM Sol5)
Water (static tank): 398 gal (at 6:00PM)
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): off
Static tank heater (On or off): 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: 3, 6, 7 and 8.
Radios: EVA radios work nominally. Channel 1 com with the station was lost after passing by the road passage at Kissing Camel ridge, driving South. The EVA-Station com was maintained thanks to the crew’s own radio equipment (Midland HAM radios).
All radio and spacesuit batteries checked before EVA: ok.
Summary of GreenHab operations:
Water use: 14 gal for watering and 1 gal for experiments in Science Dome
Heater: off
Supplemental light: off
Harvest: 289 g cucumber (1 piece), 36 g micro greens, 163 g tomatoes, 1 g chives, 27g jazz mix, 1g salvia and 1g thyme
Neus Sabaté has taken 200gr of soil from Green Hab wheelbarrow to grow seeds for her Martian Batteries experiment at the Science Dome.
Summary of Science Dome operations:
Laia Ribas (Green Hab Officer): experiment.
Neus Sabaté (Mission Specialist): experiment.
Cesca Cufí (Crew Engineer): experiment
Dual split: off
Summary of RAM operations: CO monitor has been replaced.
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:
Summary of other system’s issues: non
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support:
Questions:
Today’s EVA has taken the team to Robert’s Garden Rock, which is relatively close to the base (approx. 1 mile) and the rover’s batteries discharged to 65%. We have observed that the batteries show a fast discharging rate at the beginning of the EVA and then keep discharging at a lower pace. Considering the Mission Support advice of not letting the rover’s batteries go down below 60% we would like to know if it is possible to plan a longer EVA that allows us to reach longer distances. Advice about this matter will be highly appreciated.
Requests:
Spirit rover: replacement of the corroded wire
Kitchen: knobs replacement
Retrieval of trash in the rear airlock
Journalist Report – April 21th
Crew 280 Journalist Report 21-04-2023
Author: Núria Jar, Crew Journalist
Hypatia I is excited about the experiments all crew members are conducting. Collaboration and sharing ideas are essential for the success of their mission, especially in an isolated and confined environment, such as in the Mars Research Desert Station (MDRS).
Last days crew members were working together and sharing their first findings, challenges and solutions to ensure the success of their experiments. In this sense, the Hab table is an important location for the crew to come together and exchange these ideas, as it serves as a central hub for discussions, brainstorming and laughing out loud.
Recently, crew members became thrilled about the experiments conducted by the Mission Specialist, Neus Sabaté. Her research is focused on technologies that will enable life on Mars, particularly those related to energy. She is conducting an experiment to develop an iron-based battery using the compounds readily available in the surroundings of the MDRS. This was one of the purposes of the last extravehicular activity (EVA): to collect some rock samples, containing iron, to evaluate its use for Martian batteries.
Meanwhile, Sabaté is testing her system with commercial iron compounds to light up an LED system to germinate and grow edible greens at the Science Dome all night long. The rest of the crew members couldn’t wait to see the system. So, they put on headlamps to walk through the base corridors and make their way to the Science Dome to check out her system. As they gathered around the tiny lights, they felt together in isolation.
Also at the Science Dome, the Crew Engineer, Cesca Cufí-Prat, is building the Blob House, a single cell amoeba-like organism with learning capabilities. She wants to study the behavior and sporulation triggering of a single-cell organism under the influence of UV and infrared radiation, which is similar to the conditions found on the surface of Mars.
Next to her, the Crew Scientist, Ariadna Farrés Basiana, is developing a Martian GPS. During the EVA she collected some data to design navigation strategies for other Hypatia crew members. She spent much time taking notes.
In the kitchen, the Crew Commander, Mariona Badenas-Agustí, used some creative cooking methods to cook some delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies with dehydrated butter and eggs. They were a fantastic afternoon snack.
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