Bios, Pictures, Mission Patch – May 12th
Prakruti “Pari” Raghunarayan: Crew Commander & Crew Journalist
Hi! My name is Prakruti, or you can call me Pari. I am a physics and material science major at UT and the crew’s Commander for our analog astronaut mission this rotation. I do condensed matter research with Dr. Edoardo Baldini at the University of Texas at Austin, will be at Princeton University with their Electrical Engineering Department, and will be conducting materials studies at MDRS alongside our crew members. I am very excited for this mission (especially the hikes we may get to go on!)
Avery Abramson: Executive Officer & Crew Astronomer
Hi! My name is Avery Abramson. I am a rising third-year at UT from northern Virginia, which is around thirty minutes from Washington, D.C. I enjoy acting, practicing martial arts, and singing with my piano. I am also an astronomy major who is currently pursuing research, and I will be at Seoul National University in South Korea this summer to continue my research in extragalactic cosmology!
Noah Mugan: Crew Scientist
Hi! My name is Noah Mugan, and I am a physics major at UT Austin. At MDRS, I will be studying differences in nutrient density between radishes grown in Earth soil and in analog Martian soil. Outside of MDRS, my research focuses on quantum computing!
Kristina Mannix: Health and Safety Officer & Astronomer
My name is Kristina Mannix, I am a Physics and Astronomy double major at the University of Texas at Austin. For MDRS, I am the Health and Safety Officer, I am here to patch up my fellow crew members and to ensure their safety. Additionally, I am working with Avery, the head Crew Astronomer, on the astronomy research with the Robotic Observatory and the Musk Solar Observatory. One fun fact about me is that I am doing research at UT with Dr. Scott Kravitz making a xenon time projection chamber!
Aravind Karthigeyan: Crew Chemist
Hey y’all, my name is Aravind, and I’m a physics and math double major—though, emphasis on the physics. I was selected to be the Crew Chemist for MDRS, and my job is to track radiation levels across the camp to simulate research done in an actual Martian environment. Something interesting about myself is that I lettered in varsity bowling in high school!
Rishabh Pandey: Crew Engineer
I’m Rishabh Pandey, an Electrical and Computer Engineering major and Crew Engineer at MDRS. My job is to use drones to map out the Martian surface using photogrammetry and develop deep-learning algorithms to find the fastest path from A to B in the event of a rescue mission. An interesting fact about myself is that I used to be on the Olympic development team for Water Polo.
Mission Plan – May 12th
Our Mission:
Our mission is designed to pioneer new techniques for exploring Mars and analyzing extraterrestrial materials through a simulated Martian environment. We are conducting geological research, mapping a detailed 3D mock-Martian terrain, studying the nutritional data of plants grown in mock-Martian soil, and monitoring space weather events in real time via the Musk Observatory. The overall goal is establish steps to ensure successful roundtrip travel to Mars. With MDRS and NASA, we are extending this material study to attempt to bring back rockets we launch. Essentially, a larger plan would be to use space weather patterns to optimize when we perform launches with Avery and Kristina’s work, mapping that terrain with Rishabh’s research, and finally analyzing and repurposing found materials as energy sources to essentially create rocket fuel (process called electrolysis) and figure out how we can look at vegetation and consumption on Mars, which will be a combined effort of what me, Noah, and Aravind do.
Supplemental Operations Report – May 12th
Date: 5/12/2024
Name of person filing report: Sergii Iakymov
Reason for Report: Routine
Non-Nominal Systems: Hab wall heater, solar observatory, perseverance parking brake & battery. EVA suit 9, Solar Power inverters slave 1&2, main generator offline
Power system:
Solar: Two malfunctioning batteries replaced. Inverters Slave 1&2 have internal faults, removed from the system and are being send to repairs. With one working inverter we are down to 4.4kW maximum we can use.
SOC Last 24 hours: Max 100%; Min 87%; Avg 96.1%.
VDC Last 24 hours: Max 58.49V; Min 48.69V; Avg 53.46V.
Generator run time: Is out of service. It is not turning on due to Locked rotor shutdown. Service call scheduling is in progress. Oil, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs, frequency garnet replaced on 05/05/2024
Propane Readings:
Station Tank: 75%
Director Tank: 70%
Intern Tank: 78%
Generator Tank: 73%
Water:
Hab Static Tank – 540 gallons
GreenHab – 0 gallons
Outpost tank – 400 gallons
Science Dome – 0 gallons
Septic Tanks emptied: No
Rovers:
Sojourner rover used: Yes
Hours: 200.4
Beginning Charge: 100 %
Ending Charge: 100 %
Currently Charging: No
Notes on Rovers: Perseverance is charging only up to about 90%. Charging error appears from time to time. Curiosity rear driver side tire replaced due to cruck. All rovers batteries replaced. All five rovers moved to GreenHab area for charging from the portable generator.
ATV: ATV’s Used: None. Nothing to report.
Cars:
Hab Car used and why, where: To Hanksville for supplies.
Crew Car used and why, where: To Grand Junction, Price and Hanksville for crew and supplies.
General notes and comments: Hab car ignition has hard time to turn on from time to time.
Summary of Internet: All nominal. Starlink moved to Hab north side.
EVA suits and radios: Suits: Suit 9 has damaged visor and put aside until end of the season.
Comms: Two headsets have been replaced.
Campus wide inspection, if action taken, what and why: Solar Power down to 4.4kW. Main generator out of service. Portable generator is being used to charge rovers.
Summary of Hab Operations: Wall heater is not functioning. Diagnostic is pending. Starlink moved to the Hab north side.
Summary of GreenHab Operations: Shutted down for summer.
Summary of SciDome Operations: Two malfunctioning batteries replaced. Two Inverters with internal fault removed.
Summary of Observatories Operations: Solar observatory telescope diagonal replaced. Lower shutter is decoupled and fastened by a bungee cord. Astronomy laptop has motherboard and battery issues.
Summary of RAM Operations: All nominal
Summary of Outpost Operations: All nominal
Summary of Health and Safety Issues: All nominal
HSO Pre-Mission Checklist – May 12th
Part 1: Using the attached Safety Equipment Inventory, locate, test and confirm operation of all safety equipment. List any equipment not found and/or missing: some items in the first aid kits
Part 2: Locate and confirm the emergency escape routes in the Hab are functional and clear:
1. Stairs: good
2. Emergency window: good
3. Commander’s window: good
Part Three:
Inventory First Aid kit and note what needs to be refilled:
-
Lower HAB:
-
First Aid Kit:
-
3/10 Antiseptic Towelettes, 4 Alcohol Wipes
-
8/10 burn cream
-
5/25 bandaids
-
7/10 hand sanitizers
-
4/10 antibiotic ointments
-
-
EVA outdoor First Aid Kit: good
-
-
Science Dome:
-
16/17 alcohol prep pads (expired)
-
0 bandaids
-
Note any safety issues: We have the items we are missing in other locations, and my personal First Aid kit is good too.
Note any health/environmental issues: none
Note any missing or recommended health and safety supplies: Need band aids in the Science Dome and should replace expired meds.
HAB Upper deck |
HAB Lower deck |
RAM |
GreenHab |
ScienceDome |
Rovers |
|
CO monitor |
good |
good |
good |
good |
||
Escape ladder |
good |
|||||
Eyewash |
good |
|||||
Fire blanket |
good |
good |
good |
|||
Fire extinguisher |
good |
good |
good |
good |
||
First Aid |
present |
present |
||||
Intercom |
good |
good |
good |
|||
Nightlight |
good |
good |
||||
Propane alarm |
good |
good |
||||
Radios (Channels 10 and 22) |
good |
good |
good |
good |
||
Smoke alarm |
good |
good |
good |
good |
||
Tow rope |
there |
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
Crew Photos – April 26th
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!
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
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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