Month: April 2024

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GreenHab Report – April 24th

Crew 297 GreenHab Report 24-04-2024

GreenHab Officer: Sean Marquez

Environmental control:

Heater on (set to 55F)
Fan on (set to turn on at 94F; turn off at 82F)
Average temperatures: 84F

Hours of supplemental light: N/A

Daily water usage for crops: 5 gal

Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 0 gal

Water in Blue Tank: 165 gal

Time(s) of watering for crops: 13:20

Changes to crops: N/A

Narrative: Fan system was on full power, which for the most part managed to keep the GreenHab atmospheric temperatures below 100F. Regardless, opened the door to the tunnel system around 14:00 to allow for supplemental airflow.

Harvest:

10g of cherry tomatoes
Support/supplies needed: N/A

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Sol Summary – April 26th

Crew 297 Sol Summary Report 26-04-2024

Sol: 12

Summary Title: So Long, And Thanks for All the Fish

Author’s name: Pawel Sawicki

Mission Status: Concluded

Sol Activity Summary:

This morning the crew woke up with a heartfelt bittersweet feeling about the approaching trip back to Earth. All of the tasks and duties that we habitually had taken for granted started becoming "lasts." One of those lasts was the final EVA. Lamm, Lynch, Storch, and Sawicki participated in a geologoical expedition of North Ridge. With a great view of our Martian home, we reminisced the past 12 sols and investigated the surrounding kaleidoscope of varying rock colors. Fortunately for the EVA crew, it began to rain just as the crew returned to the airlock.

At the Hab, we had our hands full with end-of-mission tasks: finishing reports, dismantling the GreenHab for the season, taking inventory, packing for our trip back to Earth, and cleaning. Our last dinner was prepared by Chef Lynch, a wonderfully crafted pair of pot-pies. The crew will spend their last night together just as they have done for the other 12: enjoying each others’ company.

Look Ahead Plan: Returning to our home planet.

Anomalies:

Suit 11 (fan power substantially decreased mid-EVA): Battery was replaced but the air flow is still less than nominal.
Suit 9 (broken visor)
Weather:
Morning (data from 0900): calm winds (0 mph), chilly (55F), and overcast
Noon: moderate winds (17 mph), chilly (60F), and overcast
Afternoon (1800): moderate winds (14 mph), chilly (61F), and overcast with intermittent rain
Crew Physical Status: Overall crew health is nominal.

EVA: There was one EVA today. The crew of four traversed up North Ridge, where green shale, tan sandstone, and various colors of regolith were examined. This EVA marked the 18th and final EVA of Mission 297.

Reports to be filed:

Sol Summary
Journalist Report
GreenHab Report
Operations Report
EVA report (1 EVA)
Mission Summary Report
End-of-mission Research Report
Food Inventory
Support Requested: Stop by the Hab before we leave at 11 am tomorrow, so we can thank you in person for all your help!

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Operations Report – April 26th

Crew 297 Operations Report 25-04-2024

SOL: 12

Name of person filing report: Matt Lynch (Engineer)

Non-nominal systems: Suit 9 (broken visor), Suit 11 (fan issue)

Notes on non-nominal systems: The issue with Suit 9 was already noted before our mission. Suit 11 was retired from use on this mission .

ROVERS

Opportunity rover used:

Hours: 187.6

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 81%

Currently charging: Yes

Curiosity rover used:

Hours: 280.4

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 77%

Currently charging: Yes

General notes on rovers: NA

Summary of Hab operations:

WATER USE: 28.1 gallons

Water (static tank): 119.2 gallons

Static tank pipe heater (on or off): off

Static tank heater (On or off): off

Toilet tank emptied: yes

Summary of internet: Looking up recipes, downloading entertainment, catching up on Earthly news

Summary of suits and radios:

Radios 1,2,3,4,5, and 6 were used.

EVA Suits 1,4,5 and 6 were used.

Summary of GreenHab operations:

WATER USE: 0 gallons

Heater: Yes

Supplemental light: N/A

Harvest: 670g radish, 126g cherry tomato, 2g rosemary, 7g parsley, 5g thyme, 12g sage,

Summary of ScienceDome operations: Cleanup & Organized

Summary of RAM operations: (Tools used, work done): Cleanup & Organized

Summary of any observatory issues: Cleanup & Organized

Thank you to the Hab, suits, and rovers for giving us a home during our time on Mars. It has been my privilege to be the Engineer for 297.

"But someday you’ll reach them all, for what you learn today, for no reason at all, will help you discover all the wonderful secrets of tomorrow." -Norton Juster

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GreenHab Report – April 26th

Crew 297 GreenHab Report 26-04-2024

GreenHab Officer: Sean Marquez

Environmental control:

Heater on (set to 55F)
Fan on (set to turn on at 94F; turn off at 82F)
Average temperatures: 72F

Hours of supplemental light: N/A

Daily water usage for crops: 0 gal

Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: 0 gal

Water in Blue Tank: 161 gal

Time(s) of watering for crops: N/A

Changes to crops: N/A

Narrative: Today was another record harvest for Crew 297 (which provided an excellent basis for ingredients for the pot pie)! Temperatures were nominal. No watering was done as it was also the last day and were scheduled to teardown the GreenHab. It’s been an honor and privilege serving on this rotation. GreenHab Officer signing out.

Harvest:

126g of cherry tomatoes
2g of rosemary
7g of parsley
5g of thyme
12g of sage
670g of radish
Support/supplies needed: N/A

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EVA Report – April 26th

Crew 297 EVA 18 Report 26-4-2024

EVA #18

Author: Sarah Lamm

Purpose of EVA: To observe the region that appears purple from orbit. This location has also been referred to as Purple Mountain. This will be the last EVA for geological purposes, as well as the last EVA for Crew 297.

Start Time: 11:06 AM

End Time: 12:50 PM

Narrative: Due to wind conditions, we drove Opportunity and Curiosity to North Ridge. We walked to the southwest part of North Ridge and began to hike up to the peak. On the way up we observed green shale, various colors of regolith, and tan sandstone. We were able to observe lots of sandstone that had fallen from the higher layers. On the way down we came through the saddle on the south side.

Destination: Northern Ridge

Coordinates: 12S 518483 4251766

Participants: Pawel Sawicki (Commander), Matt Storch (Executive Officer), Matt Lynch (Engineer), and Sarah Lamm (Geologist)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road

Mode of travel: Opportunity & Curiosity ; Walking

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Operations Report – April 25th

Crew 297 Operations Report 25-04-2024

SOL: 11

Name of person filing report: Matt Lynch (Engineer)

Non-nominal systems: Suit 9 (broken visor), Suit 11 (fan issue)

Notes on non-nominal systems: The issue with Suit 9 was already noted before our mission. Suit 11 will no longer be used on this mission.

ROVERS

Opportunity rover used:

Hours: 186.6

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 36%

Currently charging: Yes

General notes on rovers: NA

Summary of Hab operations:

WATER USE: 33.2 gallons

Water (static tank): 147.4 gallons

Static tank pipe heater (on or off): off

Static tank heater (On or off): off

Toilet tank emptied: yes

Summary of internet: Looking up recipes, downloading entertainment, catching up on Earthly news

Summary of suits and radios:

Radios 1,2,3,4,5, and 6 were used.

EVA Suits 1,4,7 and 7 were used.

Summary of GreenHab operations:

WATER USE: 4 gallons

Heater: Yes

Supplemental light: N/A

Harvest: – 208g of cherry tomatoes, 243g of red cabbage, 43g of kale, 6g of lettuce, 45g of carrots, 183g of cucumber, 30g of green onion, 11g of radish

Summary of ScienceDome operations: NA

Summary of RAM operations: (Tools used, work done): NA

Summary of any observatory issues: NA

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Sol Summary – April 25th

Crew 297 Sol Summary Report 25-04-2024

Sol: 11

Summary Title: Earth Rising on the Red Horizon

Author’s name: Pawel Sawicki

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

This morning, the first of two EVAs was conducted. Drs. Storch and Sawicki ventured out far north to the Gateway to Lith this morning to locate an area suitable for Case to drive around. Although they did not find anything in the vicinity of Gateway to Lith for this purpose, they admired the views of this area. On the way back, an adequate area was indeed discovered and utilized for the human-research interaction study. Case performed well in its given task, requiring minimal human intervention. The robot was then driven manually to test its steep hill-traversing abilities. The equipment was gathered up and the crew returned home to the Hab.

The second, late afternoon EVA, involved the two Crew Engineers Storch and Laude.This EVA team journeyed to Somerville Overlook to acquire telephoto photos of the sedimentary rock layers in the walls of the escarpments. As the weather started to head south, the team headed back towards MDRS, but made a planned stop at Chandor Chasma for additional photos of stratigraphy and rocks. Terrain was also examined for NPS recovery and was found extremely difficult for such an operation.

For dinner the crew was treated to a flavorful vegetable stir fry prepared by Chef (and GHO) Marquez who used a substantial amount of harvested greens from the GreenHab.

Look Ahead Plan:

Tomorrow is unfortunately our last sol at MDRS. We will start the day with a geological expedition EVA. When we return we will have our hands full with end-of-mission tasks: finishing reports, dismantling the GreenHab for the season, taking inventory, packing for our trip back to Earth and cleaning.

Anomalies in work:

Suit 11 (fan power substantially decreased mid-EVA): Battery was replaced but the air flow is still less than nominal. Inop’d for the current mission.
Weather:
Morning (data from 0900): calm winds (2 mph), chilly (59F), and scattered cloud coverage
Noon: calm winds (7 mph), warm (70F), and scattered cloud coverage
Afternoon (1800): moderate winds (16 mph), chilly (69F), and scattered cloud coverage
Crew Physical Status: Overall crew health is nominal.

EVA: There were two EVAs today. The first EVA had a successful testing effort of Case on the way back from the scenic Special Region and Gateway to Lith. The second EVA went to Somerville Overlook and Candor Chasma, collecting telephotos of the geological features in those areas for review by the crew geologist.

Reports to be filed:

Sol Summary
Journalist Report
GreenHab Report
Operations Report
EVA report (2 EVAs)
EVA request (1 EVA)
Support Requested: None requested.

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EVA Report – April 25th

Crew 297 EVA 17 Report 25-4-2024

EVA #17

Author: Dave Laude

Purpose of EVA: Examine the region for geological exploration and to examine Candor Chasma’s unique terrain and obstacles to NPS locating and recovery.

Start Time: 3:00 PM

End Time: 5:35 PM

Narrative: The EVA team road rover Opportunity to Somerville Overlook to acquire telephoto photos of the sedimentary rock layers in the walls of the escarpments. The view was stunning, like that of a nascent Grand Canyon, complete with the Canyon’s range of Earth tone colors. As the weather turned cloudier and windier the team headed back towards MDRS, but made a planned stop at Chandor Chasma for additional photos of stratigraphy and rocks. These were then uploaded to our Crew’s website for later analysis by Crew Geologist Sarah. Terrain was examined for NPS recovery and was found extremely difficult for such an operation.

Destination: Candor Chasma and Somerville Overlook

Coordinates:

4251150 520400 (West Entrance of Candor Chasma)

4253000 522000 (Somerville Overlook)

EVA Participants: Dave Laude (EVA Leader/Journalist/Engineer), Matt Lynch (Engineer)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road, Galileo Road

Mode of travel: Driving Opportunity + Walking

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Journalist Report – April 25th

Crew 297 – Janus 1 Journalist – David Laude

"Mars is much closer to the characteristics of Earth. It has a fall, winter, summer, and spring. North Pole, South Pole, mountains, lots of ice. No one is going to live on Venus; no one is going to live on Jupiter." – Buzz Aldrin

With one more Sol remaining after today there are heightened thoughts towards completion of individual goals among us. Some goals, while having made progress, remain incomplete and at least two crew members have hopes to come back to Mars for further research work on this red planet.

The morning EVA team, Pawel and Matt S. first tested Case in the usual way, by defining an objective and some obstacles. Case was able to complete its mission and return to the starting point, but only after several recalculations, each which required manual intervention before it would resume autonomous operations. Next was a simple terrain capability test in full manual mode, attempting to climb a 30 degree slope. Case made it about 3/4 of the way up the hill and then lost traction on the loose regolith, after which the test was ended.

The afternoon EVA team, Dave and Matt L., road rover Opportunity to Somerville Overlook to acquire telephoto photos of the sedimentary rock layers in the walls of the escarpments. The view was stunning, like that of a nascent Grand Canyon, complete with the Canyon’s range of Earth tone colors. As the weather turned cloudier and windier the team headed back towards MDRS, but made a planned stop at Chandor Chasma for additional photos of stratigraphy and rocks. These were then uploaded to our Crew’s website for later analysis by Crew Geologist Sarah.

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