Day: January 15, 2024

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EVA Report – January 12th

Crew 290 EVA Report 12-01-2024

EVA # 06

Author: Madelyn Hoying

Purpose of EVA:

Start time: 1230

End time: 1630

Narrative: After a late start to finish piecing together the necessary science equipment, the EVA crew ventured out for the furthest expedition yet with an ambitious goal to reach Lith Canyon. Unfortunately, the rover batteries reached their limit at about halfway, necessitating a turn-around point near Tharsis Montes. Two diverse sample sites were investigated, with one in a valley between two Morrison Formation hills and another in a dried riverbed heading east into the Tharsis Montes region. Field tests gave clear indications of microbial life at the riverbed site, so the crew is excited to begin lab testing and compare those results to the smectite regions! We successfully used our new method of loading and transporting REMI in the rovers which reduces time spent prepping the robot at our field sites. REMI collected data at 10 different sites, focusing mostly on very aerated red soil and hard sandy riverbeds. REMI burned through both of her batteries during the 4-hour EVA.

Destination: Intended for the southern edge of Lith Canyon; the rover batteries reached 55% (the cutoff) when we were approximately halfway there, so we reached approximately the Tharsis Montes region.

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): N517653, E4256169

Participants: Madelyn Hoying (Commander), Anja Sheppard (Crew Scientist), Anna Tretiakova (Crew Engineer)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Drive north on Cow Dung Rd until reaching 55% battery on rovers, here at the dried riverbed of Tharsis Montes. Park rovers and walk east in the riverbed.

Mode of travel: Driving and walking

Vehicles to be used (If applicable): Spirit and Opportunity

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Operations Report – January 12th

Crew 290 Operations Report 12-01-2023

SOL: 5

Name of person filing report: Anna Tretiakova

Non-nominal systems: None

Notes on non-nominal systems: Not Applicable

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: Yes

Hours: 241.6 hours

Beginning Charge: 100%

Ending Charge: 33%

Currently Charging: No

Opportunity rover used: Yes

Hours: 155.2 hours

Beginning Charge: 100%

Ending Charge: 42%

Currently Charging: No

Curiosity rover used: No

Hours: (Before EVA)

Beginning Charge: (Before EVA)

Ending Charge: (After EVA and before recharging)

Currently Charging:

Perseverance rover used: No

Hours: (Before EVA)

Beginning Charge: (Before EVA)

Ending Charge: (After EVA and before recharging)

Currently Charging:

General Notes on Rovers: Nominal Condition

Summary of Hab Operations:

Kitchen trash was changed and left in the back door seal lock.

WATER USE: 8.5 gallons

Water (static tank): 391.9 gallons

Static tank pipe heater (on or off): on

Static tank heater (on or off): on

Toilet tank emptied: No

Summary of Internet: internet is nominal during times 18:00 to 22:00

Summary of Suits and Radios: Radios nominal. Suits nominal.

Summary of Greenhab Operations:

WATER USE: 5.25 gallons

Heater: on

Supplemental Light: off

Harvest: 29g of cilantro

Summary of Science Dome Operations:

Final preliminary tests were run with the pH soil sensor and imagined the incubated microfluidic devices to see if there was any bacteria growth that happened in 24 hours. Then flushed one and put it on a microscope slide and imagned isolated bacteria. Samples were put back into the incubator. New samples collected on EVA 6 will be prepped for tomorrow.

Dual Split Heater or AC: On

Summary of RAM Operations: (Tools used, work done):

Measuring tape was used to measure the water level. RAM was used as an airlock for EVA 6.

Summary of any observatory issues: Nominal

Summary of health and safety issues: All crew in good health and happy spirits. No safety issues.

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support:

Please pick up the trash left in the back door seal lock. 1 Burn trash and 1 Not Burn trash.

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Journalist Report – January 11th

Journalist Report

Nicole Chan, Crew 290 Journalist

01.11.2024

Sol 4

Today is a special day! Madelyn (Melon) informed us in the crew debrief last night that Sol 4 is where we’ll have our first showers on Mars. How exciting! The crew began the day with rehydrated coconut milk and cereal (another great Earth-meal remake). With EVA #5 scheduled to begin at 0900, the crew helped with suit up before EVA crew Anna (Roots) and Anja (Freebee) went on a productive engineering EVA with Melon on CAPCOM. Roots made repairs to the rover rear-view mirrors which were loose. Then, the two of them successfully built a dirt ramp for an easier exit of the RAM for REMI on future EVAs. Over comms, it sounded pretty physically demanding but the EVA crew worked effectively on their task and were successful!

In the meantime, Ben (Funk) recorded a significant harvest of red cabbage, arugula, and kale from the GreenHab (did someone say salad?). After returning to Hab, he began cooking a very tasty lunch of spaghetti with meatballs and tomato sauce. The crew licked our plates clean in approval. At this time, half of our crew (Funk, Freebee and Rebecca (Chopper)) completed their bucket showers. They had varied levels of success but also tips to save water on future showers (I began taking notes of course). As the crew dispersed for our afternoon tasks, Melon, Chopper, and Freebee put their heads together to plan out future EVAs and science equipment training for the crew. They were able to optimize crew task time and science sample output.

At 1430, the crew gathered in the ScienceDome to get a rundown of how to use the pH meter and the microscope. This will be an important component for our Project MADMEN science objectives. At 1500, the science equipment onboarding process began with Freebee, Funk and myself getting trained on the process of loading the Microfluidic Devices with the diluted soil samples from EVA #4. We took turns practicing in the laminar flow hood and examining the processed Microfluidic Devices under the microscope. It felt pretty rewarding to produce a properly flushed LB agar and take pictures of what is under the slide. We hope that any microbes present in the soil will have a happy time living in the nutrients in the next few days. We sure hope to be able to identify them.

As the sun is setting, the crew continues with their tasks and preparing their reports for the Comms window. We have been settling into a good routine so far, juggling MADMEN science tasks, individual roles, exercising, personal and crew socializing time. Overall, we have been making good progress on our research timeline as well as our consumables. Besides settling into our routines, we’ve been settling well into our roles too. Whenever we have any engineering issues pop up, Roots locates the source of the problem and works with Mission Support to make sure our Hab runs smoothly. Whenever it nears the mealtimes, Funk (or sometimes Freebee) comes up with new and creative recipes to fill our days with tasty meals. Melon ensures that the crew stays on schedule (with work-life balance!) and keeps us on track every Sol. Chopper is a very knowledgeable biologist and works tirelessly to process our soil samples, all while training us on the equipment. Freebee takes great care of REMI (both in and out of EVAs), filling her time with not only data analysis but also brainstorming future meals with our Martian selection of ingredients with Funk. As PODO, I watch over their progress, making sure it all gets documented and of course sharing it with you all. We complement each other’s skills well and have bonded over many nighttime social activities and mealtime conversations. Morale is good and we’re all excited to get positive results on our science tests in the coming days.

Photo of the Day: 290-01_11_2024 living off the land.jpeg

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GreenHab Report – January 11th

Crew 290 GreenHab Report 11-01-2024 (Sol 4)

Greenhab Officer: Ben Kazimer

Heater on (Shifted to 70⁰F, fan off, door closed

Average temperatures: 0748: 62.2⁰F, 19%, Sensor then moved to middle of greenhab away from door, 1410: 86.7⁰F 15%, 1703: 71.2⁰F, 19%

Hours of supplemental light: Nominal 4 hours overnight

Daily water usage for crops: 6.5 gallons

Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 1.2 gallons

Water in Blue Tank 168.6 gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops:

1/10 2211: ½ gallon misting;

Today’s watering0929: 4.5 gallons with 4 tablespoons fertilizer, ½ gallon misting, 1410: ¾ gallon misting, 1658: ¼ gallon misting

Changes to crops: Trimmed flowering pieces of dill, cleaned up dead leaves from tomatoes and cucumbers. Big harvest! Details below.

Narrative:

Last night after comms closed, I checked on the greenhab as the automatic lights didn’t click on. Now I don’t easily scare, but walking through the abyss (pressurized tunnels) from the hab to greenhouse at 2230 in whipping winds and no light, I was on edge. Mission support helped me troubleshoot the lights and cleared me to rev the heater up to max power. Doing this slightly worried me but I was more worried about the cold shocking the crops than overheating causing a bit drier environment. To that end, I checked in on our green neighbors at 0748 today and was greeted by many happy faces! Everyone got a good fertilizing and misting, along with some trimmings and a massive harvest. The crew is currently grazing on the deconstructed salad as we write up reports and all three greens are getting great reviews; the arugula has to be the spiciest and most flavorful I’ve ever had! Operationally, Roots (Anna) hung out in the greenhab for a bit while I harvested and trimmed, starting up a fun clay experiment in the warm environment. When I stopped by the greenhab at 1410 right before science training, I read out a tepid 87⁰F. This prompted me to set the heater to a Goldilocks 70⁰F. I’m still struggling to keep the humidity up despite 3-4 mistings a day, so I’m considering bringing our hab humidifier to the greenhab to see if it makes a significant difference. The rest of the crew may revolt against this as the humidifier is the only remedy we have to perpetual bloody noses. Updates tomorrow will follow on whether or not I am mutinied and thrown out the airlock. Music update: Fred again… great dance party with my captive audience of plants.

Harvest: 80 grams Red Cabbage, 56 grams Kale, 19 grams Arugula

Support/supplies needed: None!

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EVA Report – January 11th

Crew 290 EVA Report 11-01-2024

EVA # 05

Author: Madelyn Hoying

Purpose of EVA: Engineering EVA to fix the rearview mirror on Spirit, build up a regolith ramp outside the RAM airlock to remove the drop off for robotic operations, and smectite collection (no more than 2lbs) for an attempt at making ISRU-derived clay items. Would like to test methods of loading/unloading REMI into the bed of the rover, and securing it with bungee cords.

Start time: 0900

End time: 1030

Narrative: All engineering tasks were successfully completed. The Hab’s front airlock door had blown partially open in the wind even after pre-emptively securing it with rope on Sol 3, so the EVA crew exited the RAM airlock and secured the front door. They then proceeded to secure all rover rear-view mirrors, noting that they were particularly loose and that Perseverance has a cracked mirror. Soil collection for RAM ramp began at the site specified by Mission Support but ran into too rocky of an area. Mission Support approved a proposed sandy site to collect from and the ramp was completed. Smectite was collected for ISRU clay, with all collection areas filled in afterwards. Additionally, methods for loading, unloading, and securing REMI in the bed of the rover were successfully demonstrated with two crewmembers and some ratchet straps. Pictures and additional details can be provided, with the crew noting no concerns about the ability to do this in the field.

Destination: within 100m of MDRS

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): N518169, E4250939

Participants: Anja Sheppard (Crew Scientist), Anna Tretiakova (Crew Engineer)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Exit the RAM airlock and walk to sites of interest within a 100m radius

Mode of travel: Walking

Vehicles to be used (If applicable): None

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Sol Summary – January 11th

Crew 290 Sol Summary Report 11-01-2024

Sol: 4

Summary Title:

Author’s name: Madelyn Hoying

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary: Off of Earth, still in class

After a windy night, the crew started strong with a successful engineering EVA to fix rover mirrors, build a ramp to the RAM airlock, collect smectite for ISRU clay projects. Freebee (Anja) also used the EVA to demonstrate loading, unloading, and securing REMI into the rover beds for future traverses. Funk (Ben) used leftover chicken powder and breadcrumbs to make meatballs to compliment the spaghetti for lunch, and worked on operationalizing the pH meter with Roots (Anna) in the afternoon. Melon (Madelyn) planned EVA sites and operations while Chopper (Rebecca) instructed the crew on MADMEN test procedures in the Science Dome. PODO (Nicole) spent time interviewing each crew member for some profile posts on social media. The crew as a whole celebrated scientific success with the first showers of the trip, experimenting with the bucket method. We were excited to note that we are still significantly under our budgeted water usage per day while including showers, and are cautiously scheduling an increase in shower frequency. Looking forward to sewing our mission patches onto our flight suits tonight!

Look Ahead Plan: Sample collection in the field

Anomalies in work: heater restart required due to high winds

Weather: Windy

Crew Physical Status: nominal

EVA: 05 engineering EVA, with Anja and Anna

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist Report, Greenhab Report, Operations Report, EVA Report, EVA Request

Support Requested:

1. Approval to load REMI into the rover bed for long traverses on future EVAs

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Operations Report – January 11th

Crew 290 Operations Report 11-01-2023

SOL: 4

Name of person filing report: Anna Tretiakova

Non-nominal systems: None

Notes on non-nominal systems: Not Applicable

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: No

Hours: (Before EVA)

Beginning Charge: (Before EVA)

Ending Charge: (After EVA and before recharging)

Currently Charging:

Opportunity rover used: No

Hours: (Before EVA)

Beginning Charge: (Before EVA)

Ending Charge: (After EVA and before recharging)

Currently Charging:

Curiosity rover used: No

Hours: (Before EVA)

Beginning Charge: (Before EVA)

Ending Charge: (After EVA and before recharging)

Currently Charging:

Perseverance rover used: No

Hours: (Before EVA)

Beginning Charge: (Before EVA)

Ending Charge: (After EVA and before recharging)

Currently Charging:

General Notes on Rovers: The mirrors on all rovers were tightened and now should shake less when the rovers are moving. The mirror on perseverance is cracked. However this rover has problems with breaking so it will not be used in most future EVAs. It is also important to note that the mirrors on all rovers were very loose before tightening.

Summary of Hab Operations:

In the evening, the double hinge main airlock door was tied down and during the night it flew open a bit. EVA 5 crew had to properly close the door. The furnace had a similar issue of not working. It was reset by the crew and is now nominal. The septic tank was emptied and the toilet smell was gone.

WATER USE: 12 gallons

Water (static tank): 400.4 gallons

Static tank pipe heater (on or off): on

Static tank heater (on or off): on

Toilet tank emptied: no

Summary of Internet: internet is nominal during times 18:00 to 22:00

Summary of Suits and Radios: Radios nominal. Suits nominal.

Summary of Greenhab Operations:

The Greenhab door has been harder and harder to close. It also looks like the door does not seal the door frame properly, causing the warmth to seep out of the Greenhab during the night. The magnetic sheets for the Kelway pH soil sensor were not found in the Greenhab, but Chopper does have a flashlight magnet that was used to calibrate the pH sensor.

WATER USE: 1.2 gallons

Heater: on

Supplemental Light: off

Harvest: 80g of red cabbage, 19g of arugula, 56g of micro green kale, 3 leaves of basil.

Summary of Science Dome Operations:

Completed science training of the crew on all MADMEN science experiments. The process to work with the pH sensor was worked out and now we have a reliable pH sensor.

Dual Split Heater or AC: On

Summary of RAM Operations: (Tools used, work done):

Measuring tape was used to measure the water level. The ram was used as the airlock for EVA 5.

Summary of any observatory issues: Nominal

Summary of health and safety issues:

All crew in good health and happy spirits. No safety issues. Everyone showered.

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support:

What should be done about the poorly working door in the greenhab?

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EVA Report – January 9th

Crew 290 EVA Report 09-01-2024

EVA # 02

Author: Madelyn Hoying

Purpose of EVA: training EVA with second half of crew

Start time: 08:58

End time: 10:26

Narrative: Second training EVA to familiarize crew members with rover operation and navigation. At around 0815, the crew began prepping for EVA 02. Becka, Ben, and Nicole completed suit and comms checks right on schedule, with Becka trying on the one-piece suit and noting no airflow. All EVA members selected the two-piece suit option, with Anna (Crew Engineer) investigating the suit malfunction of the one-piece during EVA. The EVA then proceeded successfully, with the crew noting important changes that need to be made for future EVA success in scientific expeditions (including glove selection and headset placement). Of note, Becka’s headset fell completely off but stayed inside the helmet, with comms unaffected; CAPCOM (Madelyn) instructed the crew to proceed with EVA while monitoring for potential loss of comms, which would be an abort scenario. Crew found sites of interest for future science EVAs and loved the rocks. EVA successfully concluded on schedule at 1026.

Destination: Marble Ritual

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): N518700, E4250800

Participants: Rebecca McCallin (XO), Ben Kazimer (GreenHab), Nicole Chan (Crew Journalist)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Drive on Cow Dung Road and walk east until Marble Ritual

Mode of travel: Driving and walking

Vehicles to be used (If applicable): Opportunity, Spirit

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