Crew Photos – November 15th>
Mission Summary – November 15th
Crew 286 Sol 03 Summary Report 15-NOV-2023
Sol: 03
Summary Title: “Can You Hear Me Now? Over.”
Author’s name: Roger Gilbertson
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: Early in the morning the science lab started the bacterial growth experiment, having the tools, bio samples, and the hydrogen gas produced on Sol 1, which serves as an electron source for the organism growth.
In the morning, text messages were exchanged with the New York Times photographers who have recently arrived on Mars from Earth, and who are expected to join us at our Habitat about 9 AM tomorrow.
After breakfast the entire team gathered to review videos of the radio training session which were recorded on Sol 0. Extensive notes were made, and additional discussion of communications protocols, astronaut and diver hand signals, were provided by team members having experience with proper, efficient radio techniques as used by military and police. We outlined possible scenarios for a variety of nominal (green), off-nominal (yellow or “issue”), and emergency (red or “problem") situations, and reviewed preferred vocabulary and grammar.
After lunch, the crew continued the radio practice by reading aloud simple scripts for various scenarios. We focused on maximizing clarity through proper technique, simplicity of messaging, and use of correct terminology. We then separated into groups, with CapCom inside, and the EVA Team by the observatory dome. Using live radios the teams improvised a variety of “issue” and “problem” scenarios, with crew members alternating positions as EVA team members, EVA leaders, CapCom, and Missions Support.
In the late afternoon, the first bacterial samples were taken, and more hydrogen was produced.
Look Ahead Plan: We plan to meet the visiting photographers in the morning of Sol 4, and welcome them at the rear airlock. After moving them in, we will provide orientation for their stay, including airlock and tunnel protocols, restroom use, then let them settle in. In the afternoon we propose an engineering EVA to 1) wash the exterior windows using a squeegee attached to a long pole in order to improve visibility, and 2) collect local clay samples, and 3) photograph a memorial image of a recently deceased Mars Society member.
We will suggest that the visitors photograph the EVA from inside the habitat and tunnels, and capture activities inside the Science Dome and RAM. On Sol 5, we plan to train them on EVA protocols in the morning, then take them on a short EVA to Marble Ritual in the afternoon.
Anomalies in work: none
Weather: nominal
Crew Physical Status: nominal
EVA: none today, request for EVA 4 submitted for tomorrow
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist report, Photos, Operations report, Green Hab report, EVA 4 Request.
Support Requested: longest paint pole available to be attached to our window cleaning squeegee for EVA 4.
Crew Photos – November 14th
Journalist Report – November 14th
by Liz Cole
SOL: 2
Morning:
The day begins with more efforts to conserve water in the HAB. A new system of washing dishes following crew meals is put in place with the intention of the crew using less water over the course of the mission. So far the new washing system seems to be achieving its intended goal. Over the course of the mission, the daily reports of water usage will give us more insight.
Over the morning meeting, the crew discusses their priorities for the rest of the mission. We discuss how to set the days schedule so that all members of the crew can organize their time and accomplish their goals during the mission.
Reflecting on the experience of preparing and returning from Sol 1’s EVAs, the crew discussed began drafting a step-by-step checklist for every action involved in preparing for EVAs and returning from EVAs. To further streamline the process of getting into sim suits, the crew used the three stations in the main downstairs room to setup each suit system in advance of EVAs.
Afternoon:
The XO began his targeted planting in the Green Hab. He prepared fertilizer water for all plants, planted additional items, and a light watering for newly placed seeds. The plant growth in the GreenHab is encouraging so far.
In the Science Dome, lab preparations continue for the experiment involving CO2 fixation by purple bacteria for space food production while waiting for the Ph meter to arrive.
Crew Commander analyzed soil samples collected on EVA 2 to determine if they contained any carbonates. He applied HCI and NaOH to small samples of the soil after the samples were crushed and sifted.
Crew members of the days only EVA (EVA 3) prepared for the afternoon excursion by setting up equipment and imaging devices. EVA 3 focused on LIDAR and NeRF scanning of an area in the vicinity of Zubrin’s Head, and short of the intended Barrainca Butte walking path. Photos, documentary video, NeRFs, and LiDAR scans were successfully captured.
Evening:
The crew eats dinner during a granularly specific planning session of the rest of the week’s EVAs. Following challenges the crew of EVA 3 experienced during the afternoon EVA, the crew of EVA 3 spent the evening reviewing the EVA requirements and communication protocols. The Crew Scientist returned to the Science Dome to continue work on setting up for his experiment.
Sol Summary – November 14th
Sol: 02
Summary Title: “Day Two, Seems Like Home”
Author’s name: Roger Gilbertson
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: The morning was spent preparing and carrying out various individual projects. Cameras and equipment were setup for the afternoon EVA focusing on LIDAR and NeRF scanning. Science lab preparations continued for start of bacterial growth as soon as the pH meter arrives. Soil samples collected on EVA 2 were analyzed by crushing, sifting, then applying HCl and NaOH to small samples. Neither sample appeared to contain any appreciable amount of carbonates. GreenHab operations, planting and watering, continued with encouraging plant growth noticed.
A daily timeline was discussed and written up to streamline evening meal preparation and clean-up, to allow for more efficient use of the daily communications window, and earlier quiet and bed times. A step-by-step list was drafted for preparing, and returning from EVA. This includes using the three stations in the main downstairs room to setup each suit system in advance.
The afternoon EVA 3 departed about 30 minutes late and unfortunately the crew “assumed" a 30 minute extension without specifically requesting one from Mission Support. The EVA drove south on Cow Dung Road, noting a rapid drop in both vehicle’s state of charge. Communications became intermittent due to increasing distance from the repeater. One EVA crew member’s radio seemed to stop working, so they resorted to remaining close together in order to use gestures and shouting. CapCom was not notified of the radio problem until after the end of EVA, due to distance. The crew returned to the habitat at precisely 4:30 and entered the airlock at 4:35. Photos, documentary video, and 3D scans were successfully captured during the EVA. The crew will review the EVA requirements and communication protocols in the evening.
Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow afternoon we plan for an EVA to collect soil samples in support of science started by a previous MDRS mission.
Anomalies in work: none
Weather: nominal
Crew Physical Status: nominal
EVA: EVA 3 completed today, request for EVA 4 submitted for tomorrow
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist report, Photos, Operations report, Green Hab report, EVA 3 Summary, EVA 4 Request.
Support Requested: longest paint pole available to be attached to a window cleaning squeegee
Sol Summary – November 17th
Crew 286 Sol 05 Summary Report 17-NOV-2023
Sol: 05
Summary Title: “Visiting Marble Ritual with Visitors.”
Author’s name: Roger Gilbertson
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: The science dome bacterial growth experiment is showing excellent growth – essentially doubling in 24 hours. In the RAM, plaster mold fabrication continued with clean-up of the first half cast yesterday.
We continued EVA and Comms training for our visiting photojournalists, Andrea and Caleb, then conducted them on a two-rover, four-person EVA to Marble Ritual. They captured images from the surface and some of the hills, then we returned to the Habitat and captured a few more images near the Observatory dome as shadows lengthened prior to sunset. EVA finished at the planned time of 4:30 PM.
Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow the science program will continue to monitor growth. We plan a two-person EVA in the vicinity of the habitat to LIDAR scan and scout locations for an outdoor Martian music performance.
Anomalies in work: none
Weather: nominal
Crew Physical Status: nominal
EVA: EVA 5 completed, request for EVA 6 submitted for tomorrow
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist report, Photos, Operations report, Green Hab report, EVA 5 Summary, EVA 6 Request.
Support Requested: Internet access tomorrow morning at 6 AM to observe the Starship test launch from Texas on Earth.
EVA Report – November 17th
Crew 286 EVA #5 report 17-NOV-2023
EVA # 4
Author: Roger Gilbertson
Purpose of EVA:
We escorted the visiting photojournalists, Andrea and Caleb, on their first EVA to Marble Ritual. It was performed later in the day to take advantage of “late afternoon” light prior to sunset at 5:08 PM.
Start time for EVA: 2:30 pm
End time for EVA: 4:30 pm
Narrative: In the afternoon we completed radio training, then suited up and conducted EVA 5 with two rovers, two team members (Raj and LIzzy) driving, and two visitors (Caleb and Andrea) riding. Photography was conducted on hills next to Marble Ritual. On return to the rovers, a stretchy beanie cap was noticed to be missing. It was located after a brief retracing of our steps. We then drove back to the habitat and captured additional photos in the vicinity of the Observatory, before finally returning to base.
Destination: Marble Ritual
EVA Participants:
• Roger Gilbertson
• Liz Cole
• Andrea Orejarena
• Caleb Stein
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: N Cow Dung Rd, parking point WSG (518606,4251022)
Mode of travel: North on Cow Dung Rd to the parking point (518666,4251022), then walked to Marble Ritual (518799,4250996). After returning to the vehicles we drove back to the vicinity of the Observatory for some more photos. We then returned to the vehicles, and parked them at the Habitat.
Vehicles used: Spirit, Opportunity
Operations Report – November 17th
Crew 286 Operations Report 17-11-2023
SOL: 5
Name of person filing report: Donald “Duckie” Jacques
Non-nominal systems: None
Notes on non-nominal systems: N/A
ROVERS
Spirit rover used: Yes
Hours: (before EVA) 2346
Beginning charge: (Before EVA) 100%
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging) 84
Currently charging: Yes
Opportunity rover used: Yes
Hours: 1445
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 76
Currently charging: Yes
Curiosity rover used: No
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging: Yes
Perseverance rover used: No
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging: Yes
General notes on rovers: Nominal
Summary of Hab operations: The toilet reached full late this morning and was emptied successfully, though the sensor displayed ¾ through the day. Each of us was in other areas of the campus through most of the day.
WATER USE: 39 gallons
Water (static tank): 327 gallons
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On
Static tank heater (On or off): On
Toilet tank emptied: Yes
Summary of internet: Nominal
Summary of suits and radios: All nominal and charging
Summary of GreenHab operations: Watering accomplished at 11 am, and 5 pm.
Trash has been placed in the rear airlock.
WATER USE: 10 gallons
Heater: On
Supplemental light: Off
Harvest: None
Summary of Science Dome operations: Guillaume continued his work with purple bacteria.
Dual split: Off
Summary of RAM operations: (Tools used, work done) Roger worked to repair his selfie stick using some thin wire, and continued work on his plaster mold.
Summary of any observatory issues: No activity
Summary of health and safety issues: None
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support:
GreenHab Report – November 17th
Crew 286 GreenHab Report 17-11-2023
GreenHab Officer: Donald “Duckie” Jacques
Environmental control: heater on, fan off, door closed
Average temperatures: 64 F at 6 am, 97 F at 11 am, and 65 F at 5 pm
Hours of supplemental light: None
Daily water usage for crops: 10 gallons
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 0
Water in Blue Tank (200 gallon capacity): 171 gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops: 5 gallons at 11 am, 5 gallons at 5 pm
Changes to crops: None
Narrative: Nothing to report
Harvest: None
Support/supplies needed:
GreenHab Report – November 16th
Crew 286 GreenHab Report 16-11-2023
SOL: 4
GreenHab Officer: Donald "Duckie" Jacques
Environmental control: Heater on, noted fan operating in early morning, door closed all day.
Average temperatures: 68 at 7am, 97 at 11 am, 65 at 6pm
Hours of supplemental light: none
Daily water usage for crops: 5 gallons
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 0
Water in Blue Tank (200 gallon capacity): 181 gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops: 11 am, delivered 5 gallons to the crops
Changes to crops:None
Narrative:I noted that Arugula has sprouted in the grey planter.
Harvest: (include which crop and mass in grams) None
Support/supplies needed: None
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