Crew Photos – May 1st
Sol Summary – May 1st
Crew 261 Sol Summary Report 01-05-2023
Sol: 1
Summary Title: First EVA on Mars
Author’s name: Aline Decadi, XO
Mission Status: Nominal.
Sol Activity Summary: We prepared our flight suits, backpacks, helmets, radio, and we prepared ourselves for our first EVA this morning. The purpose was training EVA procedures + communication test with crew members and with the hab.
The group of 7 crew members have been split in 2 EVAs:
– EVA-1 crew members: Aline Decadi (Executive Officer) (EVA Leader), Audrey Derobertmasure (HSO), Julien Villa-Massone (Engineer), Cecile Renaud (Greenhab officer), Kris Davidson (Journalist) (Kris has been added to EVA-1 after the commander asked approval from mission support for the amendment of the EVA request sent yesterday).
– EVA-2 crew members: James Burk (Commander) (EVA Leader), Erin Kennedy (Crew Roboticist), Kris Davidson (Crew Journalist).
EVA-1 crew members started EVA preparation at 8:30 AM and EVA at 9:37 AM. Julien Villa-Massone pronounced the following beautiful sentence when the crew walked for the first time on the Martian soil: “It’s a small step for women, but a giant leap for womenkind”. We drove the Rovers (Curiosity, Perseverance, and Opportunity) for the first time with spacesuits. We accommodated with maneuver to the Marble Ritual, then walked around no farther than 200 meters for communication check. We exercised walking around with the spacesuits, regular health status, made photographs, and performed communication checks & extensive use of the radio. The communication was confirmed to be good on the field. Each crew member has used the radio extensively, experienced the spacesuits, the walking, the driving, the team cohesion, and the overall safety health checks were nominal. The EVA-1 crew members qualified on EVA procedures today. Nevertheless, it took more time than expected to go outside the hab, drive with the 3 rovers, and qualify for the EVA procedures.
The EVA extension has been always made safely and with operational communication (continuous communication with CapCom). We went back at 10:30 am instead of 10:00 AM. Back there, the Commander asked us for a crew debriefing and for a crew discussion. The discussion finished around 11:20 AM which was already late for the entire EVA-2 window. So, the Commander has informed the mission support that the EVA-2 will be cancelled for today. EVA-2 is rescheduled for tomorrow to qualify James Burk (Commander) (EVA Leader) and Erin Kennedy (Crew Roboticist), and they will be accompanied by the crew journalist and the HSO.
We spent the afternoon setting up experiments: the GreenHab, the PhotoBioreactor, the Musk observatory check, the file server for MarsVR and cardiovascular monitoring with requested parameters.
We spent the evening having dinner with MDRS Assistant Director Sergii Iakymov, having a commander briefing, and preparing EVA-2 and experiments for tomorrow.
Look Ahead Plan: We will be in Sim tomorrow for EVA-2 according to mission request approval. We will end the qualification of the overall 7 crewmembers on EVA procedures.
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Sunny and pleasant. No significant wind during the morning EVA. Wind picked up in the afternoon.
Crew Physical Status: One crewmember was feeling weak and dehydrated today. They had a medical checkup with HSO and rested during the afternoon and worked inside the hab in the shade (it was too hot inside the RAM). A general point of attention was to all members to remember to drink water very often and to keep cool when it is too hot.
EVA: Training EVA to Marble Ritual
Reports to be filed: HSO Report, EVA Request, EVA Report, Operations Report, Crew Bios, Journalist Report, Pictures of the day
Support Requested: None.
Operations Report – May 1st
Crew 261 Operations Report 01-MAY-2023
SOL: 1
Name of person filing report: Julien Villa-Massone
Non-nominal systems:
· Cooling feature of fan in hab upper deck
· One side of the second-to-stair is failing
Notes on non-nominal systems:
· The Fan in the upper deck kitchen does not have water access and as a result, is not able to cool. This causes higher temperatures than ideal during the middle of the day. However, the temperatures are still livable. Going downstairs temporarily is an option to cool down.
· One side of the second-to-stair is failing: one segment of metal is broken. We are considering fixing this by adding a wood support like on the next stair step.
ROVERS
Spirit rover used: No
Currently charging: YES
Opportunity rover used: Yes
Hours: (before EVA) 122.5 (we need to recheck after EVA hours for accuracy)
Beginning charge: (Before EVA) 100
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging) 98
Currently charging: YES
Curiosity rover used: Yes
Hours: 232.0
Beginning charge: 100
Ending charge: 94
Currently charging: YES
Perseverance rover used: Yes
Hours: 262.0
Beginning charge: 100
Ending charge: 88
Currently charging: YES
General notes on rovers: EVA destination: 518687 / 4250789, meaning 600m one way / 1.2km both ways. We noticed a significant discrepancy between rovers on distance traveled vs. percent of battery used. Due to the very short distance traveled, this cannot be attributed to driving style or driving mode. This could be attributable to effective battery capacity varying from rover to rover (either due to battery design capacity or state of health).
Summary of Hab operations: Crew spent a nominal first day. Due to 2 crews sleeping on the mezzanine, it was decided to bring the safety lamp downstairs (ground floor) to lower its perceived brightness and enable sleep. Crew agreed to a quiet period from 10pm to 7am to ensure crew sleep quality (1 hour of wind down / evening routine + 8 hours of sleep).
WATER USE: 110 gallons indicated, probable 70 gallons actually used due to cylindrical shape of tank at the top
Water (static tank): 440 gallons indicated (probably 400-420 due to cylindrical shape on top)
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): off
Static tank heater (On or off): off
Toilet tank emptied: no
Summary of internet: nominal operation with good bandwidth and coverage
Summary of suits and radios: nominal operation for the 4 suits and radio used in the first EVA of the mission. Suit voltages were tested with a coarse multimeter, indicated 12 or 13 volts (integer only was indicated). A new multimeter from RAM may be needed next time for more precision.
Summary of GreenHab operations: First day for GreenHab officer. Watering was done 2 times (at 13:00 and 19:00). Temperature reached 93.3°F, considered excessive for proper operation.
WATER USE: 12 gallons
Heater: Off
Supplemental light: Off
Harvest: No harvesting done today
Summary of ScienceDome operations: Photobioreactor was assembled and plugged to mains power. Electrical and program commissioning completed successfully. Media for the photobioreactor has been partially prepared. – A Biostimulation experiment has been organized.
Dual split: Off
Summary of RAM operations: (Tools used, work done) Crew Robotics Engineer used the RAM for testing but was unable to continue operation in this building after a few hours, due to excessive temperature causing hyperthermia symptoms. Crew members decided to move to the Hab ground floor where cool space is available.
Summary of any observatory issues: Telescope and software have been checked in the context of preparation for solar imaging on the next day. Equipment was found to be available to start with image processing on the next day.
Summary of health and safety issues: 2 cases of hyperthermia symptoms. Due to the possible confidentiality of these issues, no further detail was gathered by the author. Please review the HSO report for more information.
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support:
· Request guidance on which measuring tape can be used to measure water supply.
Journalist Report – May 1st
Crew 261 Journalist Report 01-05-2023
Author: Kris Davidson, Crew Journalist
In the tapestry of human existence, two shimmering threads interweave, binding the fabric of our collective destiny: Toolmaking and storytelling, the twin engines that drive the progress of our species. We find ourselves at an extraordinary moment when the loom of technology whirls with unprecedented velocity, spinning forth marvels in multiple realms – artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and rockets powerful enough to propel us (and all that we need to thrive) to Mars.
Storytelling has long served as an essential catalyst in the alchemy of scientific discovery. It is the vessel that carries within it the fragile essence of our humanity, infusing the sterile precision of data with the warm pulse of our imperfect hearts. Every simulation carried out at the Mars Desert Research Station is a story, an important draft in the larger unfolding story of humans to Mars. One day, a human being will be the first to set foot on Mars. That person — perhaps a teenager today — will also be standing on the shoulders of countless scientists, engineers, and analogue astronauts who have made and rectified all manner of mistakes to ensure their success.
Every analogue astronaut carries some version of this story with them to Utah. On the eve of the beginning of Transatlantic Mars Crew 261’s sim, Commander James Burk gently warned of the many discomforts to be endured in the coming two weeks. He reminded the crew that the experiments and projects will almost certainly take longer than expected, and that perfection should not be the goal (the subtext being that challenges and setbacks are precisely what we need to work through as a unified team). The Transatlantic Mars Crew 261’s arrival to the red planet was a liminal affair, a dreamed landing that occurred between a final dusk on Earth and the first Sol on Mars as the crew slept.
After the first breakfast on Mars, Executive Officer Aline Decadi led Audrey Derobertmasure (HSO), Julien Villa-Massone (Engineer), Cecile Renaud (Greenhab Officer), and Kris Davidson (Crew Journalist) on the first EVA to Marble Ritual for EVA training and testing communication systems. The EVA returned late, and Crew Commander James Burk called a debrief for the entire crew to review. It was determined that the novelty of being in spacesuits on EVA decreased anticipated efficiency. Throughout, Decadi prioritized safety for the crew. At the debrief, the crew also discussed hab etiquette for quiet hours, meal prep and clean up, as well as ways to ease stressful workloads for each other. The illusion of perfection was duly (and necessarily) shattered, but under the leadership of Burk and Decadi, the crew was empowered to voice concerns and strengthened as a unit.
The crew also expressed a desire to streamline communications with Mission Support and made the decision to invite Sergii Iakymov to join for dinner and conversation at 1800. A decision was also made to cancel the second EVA for the day.
The rest of the day was busy, with crew members beginning the setup of various experiments and projects. Derobertmasure (HSO) worked on collecting biometrics to assess cardiovascular aging from all crew members. Burk unpacked and qualified the file server that will be used for a multitude of technological applications in the coming days. Villa-Massone (Engineer) assessed facilities as required and worked with Renaud (Greenhab Officer) to set up the photobioreactor in the science dome. Erin Kennedy (Crew Roboticist) worked steadily on assembling and programming robotic elements of Atmosphinder, a wind-powered rover to be tested on upcoming EVAs. Decadi (Executive Officer) assessed observatories ahead of her planned celestial imaging for education and outreach purposes.
As Sol 1 for Crew 261 comes to a close, we are tired but more connected as a crew. And, we are all grateful and proud to be a part of the larger humans-to-Mars story.
GreenHab Report – May 1st
Crew 261 GreenHab Report 01-05-2023
GreenHab Officer: Cécile Renaud
Environmental control: Door open from 1PM to 7PM
Average temperatures: 93,3°F (from 1PM to 7PM)
Hours of supplemental light: N/A
Daily water usage for crops: 8 gallons at 1PM, 5 gallons at 7PM, 12 gallons in total.
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 0 gallon
Water in Blue Tank 168 gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops: 1PM and 7PM
Changes to crops: N/A
Narrative: As we were training for EVAs and focusing exclusively on EVA qualification, I took care of the GreenHab at 1PM today. I plan to do the first thing in the morning tomorrow. Harvesting to be done: cucumbers, will be done on SOL 2. Tomatoes might need to be harvested on SOL 3 or 4.
Harvest: (include which crop and mass in grams) – None
Support/supplies needed: None
EVA Report – May 1st
Crew 261 EVA Report 01-05-2023
EVA # 1
Author: James Burk, Commander and EVA Comms Lead
Purpose of EVA: EVA and Rover Qualification for crewmembers
Start time: 9:25 AM with start of rover traverse at 9:37AM. (Prep began at 8:30am)
End time: 10:15 AM
Narrative: We drove the Rovers (Curiosity, Perseverance, and Opportunity) to the Marble Ritual, then walked around no farther than 200 meters for communication check. We exercised walking around with the spacesuits, regular health status, made photographs, and performed communication checks & extensive use of the radio. The communication was confirmed to be good on the field. Each crew member has used the radio extensively, experienced the spacesuits, the walking, the driving, the team cohesion, and the overall safety health checks were nominal. The EVA-1 crew members qualified on EVA procedures today. Nevertheless, it took more time than expected to go outside the hab, drive with the 3 rovers, and qualify for the EVA procedures.
Destination: Marble Ritual
Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 518687 E, 4250789 N
Participants: Aline Decate (Executive Officer) (EVA Leader), Audrey Derobertmasure (HSO), Julien Villa-Massone (Engineer), Cecile Renaud (Greenhab officer), Kris Davidson (Journalist)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Drive on Cow Dung Road and walk east until Marble Ritual.
Mode of travel: Rovers (Curiosity, Perseverance, and Opportunity)
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