Crew 289 GreenHab Report : 26-12-2023 (Sol 2)
GreenHab Officer: Riya Raj
Environmental Control: Heater on, fan off, door closed.
Average Temperatures:
Avg Temp – 2:45pm (89.7 °F)
Relative Humidity – 12%
**After Watering and Turning Fan ON:
Fan Duration: 4:07 minutes
Avg Temp – 3:08pm (80.4 °F)
Relative Humidity – 52% (This is good range)
Avg Temp: 6:22pm (65.3 °F)
Relative Humidity – 15%
Hour of supplemental light: 10pm-2am (4 hours)
Daily water usage for crops: Sol 2 – 2.4 gallons
Water in Blue Tank (200 gallon capacity): 193.45 gallons
Times of Watering for Crops: Sol 2 – 3:08pm
Changes to Crops: Tied metal wires to the stakes of the cucumber plants so that they don’t keep falling and droop over. I made the knot snug (not to tight)! I made a composting pot with the orange peels and dead leaves.
Narrative:
Sol 2: Today’s weather was a little better than yesterday. The main thing that concerns me is the dry atmosphere there. I will start doing pH level tests for the larger plants and carrots. After replanting the carrot plants yesterday, they look a little sad, but I’m guessing the low humidity level is playing a big part into it. I have been saving the produce scraps from out food (like oranges) to use as compost for the soil. We can get more natural fertilizer, less waste, and provide raw nutrients for the soil like this. After creating the compost mixture, I moistened it and left it on the rack. I also used an extra 3 liters of water to place it in clay pans all over the greenhouse. Hopefully with this, the water can slowly evaporate with the heater on and increase humidity levels. I went through the cabinets and tried to search for a spray bottle. Couldn’t find one in the science dome either. I found a pesticide spray that could work instead but there is no rod for it. I want to use the spray to mist the water in the greenhouse and moisten the air before the afternoon heat hits here.
For harvesting, there were a lot of leaves overcrowding. I took large bunches of the kale, lettuce, and arugula. The crew used these to make a mango/almond salad along with the Thai Curry and rice we had for dinner.
Sol 2 Harvest:
Kale: 56 grams
Arugula: 30 grams
Lettuce: 22 grams
Support/supplies needed: Do you know if the large, black rod for the pesticide spray is somewhere? Not spray pesticide, just water.
EVA Report – December 26th
EVA Report #2
Author: Riya Raj
EVA Date: 26th December 2023
Start time: 1002
End time: 1102
Purpose of EVA:
Training EVA to familiarize crew members with rover operation, suits, and navigation
Narrative:
Today’s Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) occurred at 1002, led by Crew Commander Adriana Brown, with the participants, Nathan Bitner and Riya Raj. One of the members had real trouble getting into rover especially when the air tank kept hitting the driver’s wheel -_- There was also a suspicious alien drifting near our rovers found at 10:14 am, but we did not say hi lolz. The crew used the Perseverance and Curiosity Rovers to navigate across Cow Dung Road to finally reach their first destination at 10:14 am, Marble Ritual. The mission was initiated with the rovers at full charge:
Perseverance: 100% battery and 281.4 hours
Curiosity: 100% battery and 261.9 hours
The crew’s main objective was to navigate and familiarize themselves with the Marble Ritual site. They were working on obtaining the proper knowledge to carry out successful missions during this training EVA. Adriana helped the crew learn a lot about what she researches by finding minerals and fossils! They walked around various landscapes while Adriana talked about the past history of the rock formations. The crew collected petrified wood and worm burrow trace fossils while exploring the amazing landscapes! Nathan also took a picture of a large shrub and Riya found a rock formation that looked like the Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt! The EVA progressed fabulously as the team executed planned steps, ensuring both exploration and safety were prioritized, resulting in a resounding success. The crew returned to the Habitat (HAB) with the rovers at:
Perseverance: 73% battery and 281.5 hours
Curiosity: 80% battery and 261.9 hours
The reentry process for the HAB commenced at 1057, concluding their Martian exploration. While the crew was waiting in the airlock, they awaited to finally clean the waterfalls from their noses.
Destination: Marble Ritual
Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): N518700, E4250800
Participants: Adriana Brown (Commander), Nathan Bitner (Crew Engineer), Riya Raj (GreenHab Officer/Crew Biologist)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Drive North on Cow Dung Road and park at the side of the road. Then walk East 1 km.
Mode of travel: Driving (Perserverance and Opportunity Rovers) and walking
Crew Photos – December 25th
Sol Summary – December 25th
Sol: 1
Summary Title: Sol One: Lots of Fun
Author’s name: Adriana Brown
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary:
Sol one began with a 7:30 am wake-up to prepare for training. Amazingly, Santa made it all the way to our Martian home and the crew woke up to small gifts under a miniature Christmas tree. While Eshaana (GEO) and Nathan (ENG) whipped up a breakfast of scrambled dehydrated eggs and potatoes, the rest of the crew completed some light stretching to help our muscles after long days spent in transit. Shortly after, we met Sergii and completed our MDRS training, including taking the rovers for a spin to Marble Ritual and a brief Nutella and graham cracker break. We took some team photos in front of the Hab and then sent our first EVA crew off to Marble Ritual at 2:00 pm, signifying the beginning of our sim. While Gabe (HSO), Aditya (SCI), Sara (XO), and Eshaana were having their first taste of the Martian terrain, Adriana (CO), Nathan, and Riya (GHO) set to work making lunch for the hungry EVA crew: pasta salad with a plethora of GreenHab-sourced veggies and dehydrated mozzarella cheese. After lunch, the crew members dispersed to begin setting up their various research projects and complete chores around the Hab. Aditya worked on his robot, E.L.F. (Electronic LeapFrog), while Nathan worked on sensors that will monitor different states of the MDRS campus, building on his research project that was started during Crew 288’s rotation. On the upper deck, Eshaana planned out future EVAs, Gabe vacuumed, and Sara and Adriana tackled Mt. Dirty Dishes, with Sara developing an extra-water efficient method. Meanwhile, Riya tended to plants in the GreenHab and repotted a few of the residents (radishes and broccoli). As the crew prepares for their Christmas evening, Adriana is baking her apple pie (made from purely Martian ingredients!) and Sara is putting the finishing touches on her delicious-smelling risotto. On this Christmas night, the Hab is cozy and full of excitement for the coming sols. We will all go to bed tonight with visions of sugar plums and cool rocks dancing in our heads.
Look Ahead Plan: Complete training EVA #2 tomorrow and later use the drone to scout areas for Aditya’s robotics testing (potential EVA #3)
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: A beautifully clear day, very sunny
Crew Physical Status: Well-rested and excited
EVA: EVA #1 to Marble Ridge completed
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Commander’s/Journalist’s Report and photos, Greenhab Report, Operations Report, EVA Report, EVA request, Mission Plan, reformatted crew bios
Support Requested: None
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