[category science-report]
Mars Desert Research Station
Mid-Mission Research Report
Crew 305 – Valles
Dec 8th, 2024 – Dec 21st, 2024
Crew Members:
Commander and GreenHab Officer: Hunter Vannier
Executive Officer and Crew Geologist: Ian Pamerleau
Crew Engineer: Spruha Vashi
Crew Scientist: Monish Lokhande
Health and Safety Officer: Peter Zoss
Crew Journalist: Rashi Jain
Crew Projects:
Title: Hydraulic Geometry of Ephemeral Streams to Potentially Elucidate Paleoclimate
Author(s): Ian Pamerleau
Objectives: The primary question I seek to answer is: What is the hydraulic geometry of ephemeral streams near the MDRS campus?
Current status: We have explored and taken measurements from all the regions of Candor Chasma and Eos Chasma that we could reach within the time and safety limits of an EVA. In Candor Chasma, we were able to get 13 stream width measurements, mostly along the main channel, with a few tributary measurements as well. We obtained 23 stream measurements in the Eos Chasma region, and these ranged in many sizes of tributaries. Some were very narrow, while others had their own canyons that were tricky when it came to finding a safe route into. The reason for measuring different sizes of tributaries is due to their differing drainage area sizes, which ideally will be the dependent variable controlling the stream width. The ephemeral streams around the MDRS campus are only active during flooding events, which can range in size. Therefore, I am being careful to try and take the measurement that represents the highest flooding level that is still within the stream. Things like vegetation, waterfalls, and boulders within the stream path make this somewhat difficult in locations, so we try to find locations in which these features are absent. Future measurements will be required south of Kissing Camel Ridge and the large stream network there, and a few measurements near Compass Rock. With these future measurements as well as the 36 we have now, I should have enough diversity of data to see a trend emerge if there is one (note on 36 measurements, that is a single location where 3 measurements were taken a few meters within each other to create an average).
Secondary Objective: More detailed geologic mapping of the nearby MDRS campus.
With the stream measurements project, paleosols project, and future time being required for the rover project, I have not had time and will likely not have time to conduct any detailed geologic mapping.
EVAs Completed: 2 to Candor Chasma; 2 to Eos Chasma.
EVAs Still Required: 3 to South Kissing Camel Ridge (EVAs 07, 09, 10); 1 to Compass Rock (EVA 11)
Title: Refining orbital data with In-Situ analysis
Author(s): Hunter Vannier
Objectives: The primary question I seek to answer is: How does soil moisture content affect the growth rate of microgreens?
Secondary: Determine the composition of a paleosol sequence near MDRS.
Current status: The microgreen experiment has not been fully successful yet due to issues with wiring a microcomputer and establishing a connection to the soil moisture sensor, but all seed trays and soil have been primed to begin the experiment. I will be working in the RAM to get the moisture sensor working as soon as possible so a week of data can be taken and microgreen growth can be measured. If the soil moisture sensor is not set up by Sunday, I will use the soil moisture sensor in the GreenHab and take manual readings in the morning and the evening and still achieve the desired outcome of the experiment.
For my secondary goal, I have successfully completed the nominal mission of collecting paleosol sequences. Two sequences have been collected and photographed. The first set was obtained ~300 meters into the interior of Candor Chasma and was capped by a large conglomerate unit that is part of the Morrison formation; the conglomerate is abundant throughout the region surrounding MDRS other than directly to the east. The second was capped by a fine-grained grey/yellow sandstone just outside of Candor Chasma. I intend to collect at least one more paleosol sequence near Kissing Camel Ridge before the completion of Crew 305’s mission.
EVAs: Two EVAs have been performed for paleosol research, both to Candor Chasma. The first enabled scouting of paleosol exposures, and the second resulted in two sets of paleosol sequences being sampled, one in the interior (6 samples) and just exterior (4 samples).
Title: Investigating Rover Applications in a Mars Analog Environment
Author(s): Spruha Vashi
Objectives: The primary question I seek to answer is: How can a rover assist humans during EVA processes and what interactions are necessary for the rover-human relationship?
Current Status: As most of the rover was required to be deconstructed to be brought to MDRS, the first task was setting up the RAM with my supplies and redoing the mechanical assembly of the rover. This process took about 1 day with breaks for EVA prep, meals, and other crew responsibilities. Afterwards, the next big step was to work on the electrical system of the rover, which is about 70 percent complete. I hit a roadblock with the integration of a board that is setup incorrectly, and I have had to take almost 1 day to trouble shoot. Throughout this process, I still have kept the crew aware of my timeline and the ideal testing environments I would require once the rover is complete. The aim is to have the rover complete by Sol7, and begin testing on Sol 8, Sol 10, and Sol 11.
EVAs: 3 EVAs have been established. Sol 8 EVA will be to test the rover outside of the Hab and in a short-range distance, Sol 10 will be to test the rover at Kissing Camel Ridge, and Sol 11 will be to test the rover in any other terrains with Rashi observing the functionality for her research.
Title: MDRS Monitoring System
Author(s): Monish Lokhande
Objectives: The primary question I seek to answer is: How can we achieve data efficient communication to ground station?
Secondary: Can we transmit the data to a remote station?
Current Status: One sensor module has been developed and currently being tested to check for analysis of reading for correctness. The sensor module placement is being identified and the readings are being published locally. The module to identify potential errors in readings/ sensor damage has been developed and currently being tested.
The data is being published successfully on a website to analyse and viewable. Global and local pages have been made for crew and ground station accordingly.
Problems faced: Although the sensor module is working, additional tests for validity of the data is required. The publishing of the data to the station and testing locally is harder as simulating errors in measurement needs to be configured.
Next Steps: To add the delay of data relay to the Ground station website. Add a test case where error in data would lead to local update to resolve immediately and ground station update to notify the errors.
Title: Safety Lessons and Lessons for Robotics from a Mars Analog Astronaut Mission
Author(s): Rashi Jain
Objectives: 1. Study Habitat Operations and anomalies and use insights to suggest safety lessons. Assign effectiveness values to different design features, tools, and resources available in the Hab. 2. Identify functional relations within and between different habitat systems that can be used to (i) five crew a better understanding of their system, determine what the best places are for installing monitoring systems, and which autonomous systems can be used to keep habitats safe and operational during uncrewed mission phases.
Current status:
For my first objective:
I have been keeping a record of all Sol’s operations and anomalies. For each anomaly that we’ve encountered thus far, I’ve drawn up Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and am working on writing safety recommendations on what can be done to mitigate if these failures were to happen on Mars where we would have no Mission Support.
I have also been documenting the use of resources, tools, equipment, and the rovers while they are out on EVAs and will be plotting their performance over our stay here (including performance degradation). These values will be used to model performance in the computational model of the habitat that I am developing for my Ph.D. research that studies performance of the habitat, its systems, and components over long durations (months and years).
For my second objective:
So far, I’ve documented design, tools, and resources in the following areas of the habitat: Science Dome, Upper Deck, Rovers and Martian landscape, and partially the Lower Deck and the RAM. I have completed the functional relations for the power system, and the thermal control system. I will be doing the same for the other areas of the Hab in the upcoming weeks, and complete functional relations for all systems: which includes structures, environmental control and life support systems, and other safety controls.
Once I complete all functional relations, I will use those to determine (i) where monitoring systems should be placed for safe habitats, and (ii) robotic design requirements for autonomous and safe habitat operations.
Title: Wearable-Based Autonomic Activity Profiles for Real-Time Cognitive Performance Monitoring in Spaceflight
Author(s): Peter Zoss
Objectives: This study will longitudinally quantify individual changes in autonomic nervous system (ANS) status via a wearable sensor in MDRS crew members to understand how our autonomic activity is associated with sequential measures of cognitive performance for predictive model development.
Current status: This human factor project is halfway through its data collection period. Cognitive performance testing has been completed for all crew members 3 times at the MDRS. These tests occurred on Sols 1, 3, and 5. The tests on Sol 3 had to end early due to power failure, resulting in an incomplete test for one crew member and a missed test for another. The remaining tests will take place on Sols 7, 9, and 11.