Operations Report – December 22nd

  



Crew 218 Operations Report 22-Dec-19

SOL: 00
Name of person filing report: Luz Maria Agudelo Urrego
Non-nominal systems: NA
Generator: run
Hours run: 11
From what time this morning: 2030
To what time this morning: 0730
List any additional daytime hours when the generator was run: N/A
Solar— SOC % (Before the generator is run at night: 72%
Diesel Reading – 84%
Station Propane Reading – 84
Ethanol Free Gasoline: N/A
Water (loft tank) (gal): 20
Water Meter (units): 0146925.8
Water (static tank) (gal): 530
Static to Loft Pump used – No
Water in Green Hab (gal): 136
Water in Science Dome (gal): 0
Toilet tank emptied: No
Deimos rover used: Still in the workshop
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging:
Sojourner rover used: Assigned to director
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging:
Spirit rover used: Nominal
Hours: 118.9
Beginning charge: (Before EVA): 100%
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): 70%
Currently charging: Yes
Opportunity rover used: Still in the workshop
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging:
Curiosity rover used: Nominal
Hours: 124.2
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before charging): 82%
Currently charging: Yes
Notes on rovers: Opportunity and Deimos off-site for maintenance.
ATV’s Used: (Honda, 300, 350.1, 350.2, 350.3): No
Reason for use: N/A
Oil Added? No
# Hours the ATVs were used today: 0
Notes on ATVs: Operated for maintenance
HabCar used and why, where? Once to get water and food
CrewCar used and why, where? No
General notes and comments: Loft tank filter replaced, habitat heater filter replaced
Summary of the internet: Nominal
Summary of suits and radios: Nominal
Summary of Hab operations: Second day of crew MDRS 218, training is completed
Summary of GreenHab operations: routine watering, strawberry has been eaten, Martian on green Hab.
Summary of Science Dome operations: Nominal
Summary of RAM operations: Nominal
Summary of any observatory issues: Nominal
Summary of health and safety issues: Nominal
Questions, concerns, and requests to Mission Support: NA

Luz Ma

EVA Report – December 22nd

  



Crew 218 EVA Request 22-DEC-2019

EVA #: 1

Today’s Date: 22 Dec 2019

Requested EVA Date: 23 Dec 2019

Requested start time for EVA: 11:00

Requested end time for EVA: 12:15

Does weather report support EVA at this time? Yes

Purpose of EVA: Exploratory EVA to familiarize with use of space suits, use of rovers with gear, and communication procedures

Destination: Marble Ritual

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): E518700, N4250800 EVA Participants: Cesare Guariniello, CMD; Ben Durkee, JOU; Shefali Rana, HSO

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road, then walk East towards Marble Ritual

Mode of travel: Driving and walking

Vehicles you will be using (If applicable): Spirit and Curiosity

EVA #: 2

Today’s Date: 22 Dec 2019

Requested EVA Date: 23 Dec 2019

Requested start time for EVA: 12:45

Requested end time for EVA: 14:00

Does weather report support EVA at this time? Yes

Purpose of EVA: Exploratory EVA to familiarize with use of space suits, use of rovers with gear, and communication procedures

Destination: Marble Ritual

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): E518700, N4250800 EVA Participants: Pat Pesa, GEO; LuzMa Agudelo, ENG

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road, then walk East towards Marble Ritual

Mode of travel: Driving and walking

Vehicles you will be using (If applicable): Spirit and Curiosity

EVA #: 3

Today’s Date: 22 Dec 2019

Requested EVA Date: 23 Dec 2019

Requested start time for EVA: 14:30

Requested end time for EVA: 15:45

Does weather report support EVA at this time? Yes

Purpose of EVA: Exploratory EVA to familiarize with use of space suits and communication procedures. One crew member cannot perform EVA on rovers, therefore this EVA is to let him familiarize with EVAs with the traditional expedition to Marble Ritual, but on foot

Destination: Marble Ritual

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): E518700, N4250800 EVA Participants: Cesare Guariniello, CMD; Jonathan Buzan, SCI

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road, then walk East towards Marble Ritual

Mode of travel: Walking

Vehicles you will be using (If applicable): None

Please note the reason for request of third EVA.

Cesare

Commander, MDRS 218

Journalist Report – December 22nd

  
 
Journalist Report

Ben Durkee, Crew 218 Journalist

Waking up on Mars for the first time is a starkly humbling experience. You emerge from

your personal oven labeled "Crew Quarters" for some fresh (synthesized) air. After

taking a few breaths you realize that that very air is a privilege afforded to you by

the tin can that surrounds you. The tin can that is now your home for the foreseeable

future.

Once we had all shaken the sleep from our eyes, we began haphazardly assembling

breakfast for ourselves. Jonathan demonstrated his prowess in the kitchen right off

the bat. His potion was an assembly of dehydrated eggs - the most foul abomination

I have ever seen and smelled - and dehydrated milk and butter - tied for second

place. Yet against all odds, he whipped up some mighty fine scrambled eggs in a

process I can only describe as culinary sorcery. I look forward to seeing (and

tasting) more of such magic in the coming weeks!

After breakfast, Shefali and I got drafted to dispose of some heavy stones outside of

the Hab (which I'm still convinced was a form of clandestine physical training). After

our rugged rock repositioning, we were given a full tour of the Hab. It was on this tour

that we discovered the presence of an uninvited GreenHab guest. We suspect there is

some kind of Martian rodent that has been chomping on our precious strawberry sprouts!

We've laid a trap in the GreenHab, and will hopefully meet the extraterrestrial

culprit very soon...

In the shadow of the trapping excitement, we began our actual training. This featured a

rotation of Rover and ATV training, followed by training on the EVA suits. There's a

unique comedic value to the notion that it took equally long to teach us how to put a

suit on as it did to teach us how to operate two separate motor vehicles. We are

professionals, we swear.

As the sun retires behind the Martian landscape, we too begin to wind down our

activities. A big day tomorrow calls for some good rest tonight. Generously, the

rotation of Mars offers us an extra 37 minutes to work with every day. I

believe tonight that implies 37 more minutes of well-deserved sleep. Tomorrow, we face

our first true Martian day equipped with the know-how and acuity to kick this planet's

butt!

Journalist Report – December 22nd

  

 Journalist Report

Ben Durkee, Crew 218 Journalist

Waking up on Mars for the first time is a starkly humbling experience. You emerge from

your personal oven labeled "Crew Quarters" for some fresh (synthesized) air. After

taking a few breaths you realize that that very air is a privilege afforded to you by

the tin can that surrounds you. The tin can that is now your home for the foreseeable

future.

Once we had all shaken the sleep from our eyes, we began haphazardly assembling

breakfast for ourselves. Jonathan demonstrated his prowess in the kitchen right off

the bat. His potion was an assembly of dehydrated eggs - the most foul abomination

I have ever seen and smelled - and dehydrated milk and butter - tied for second

place. Yet against all odds, he whipped up some mighty fine scrambled eggs in a

process I can only describe as culinary sorcery. I look forward to seeing (and

tasting) more of such magic in the coming weeks!

After breakfast, Shefali and I got drafted to dispose of some heavy stones outside of

the Hab (which I'm still convinced was a form of clandestine physical training). After

our rugged rock repositioning, we were given a full tour of the Hab. It was on this tour

that we discovered the presence of an uninvited GreenHab guest. We suspect there is

some kind of Martian rodent that has been chomping on our precious strawberry sprouts!

We've laid a trap in the GreenHab, and will hopefully meet the extraterrestrial

culprit very soon...

In the shadow of the trapping excitement, we began our actual training. This featured a

rotation of Rover and ATV training, followed by training on the EVA suits. There's a

unique comedic value to the notion that it took equally long to teach us how to put a

suit on as it did to teach us how to operate two separate motor vehicles. We are

professionals, we swear.

The post-training briefing was punctuated by some energetic (and welcome) pounces from

the crew trainer's puppy. Maybe it's the isolation speaking, but I think dogs are even

cuter on Mars. After all the hard work and excitement, we finally got a moment to

stop and breathe, and then we splintered off to fulfill our personal duties.

As the sun retires behind the Martian landscape, we too begin to wind down our

activities. A big day tomorrow calls for some good rest tonight. Generously, the

rotation of Mars offers us an extra 37 minutes to work with every day. I

believe tonight that implies 37 more minutes of well-deserved sleep. Tomorrow, we face

our first true Martian day equipped with the know-how and acuity to kick this planet's

butt!

GreenHab Report – December 22nd

  


Crew 218 GreenHab Report 22-DEC-19

Crew GreenHab Officer: Dr. Jonathan R. Buzan

Environmental control: Heating.

Shade cloth (40% and 30%) on.

Average temperature: 23.5°C 18%

9:20AM

Floor Unit: 15°C

Electronic: 18°C

humidity 21%

12:05PM

Floor Unit: 28°C

Electronic: 28.5°C

humidity 16%

2:35PM

Floor Unit: 12°C

Electronic: 22.2°C

humidity 19%

7:00PM

Floor Unit: 17°C

Electronic: 22.8°C

humidity 19%

Max: 29.8°C, 21%

Min: 17.3°C, 15%

Hours of supplemental light: Light system 7PM-12AM

Daily water usage for crops: 4.3 Gal.

Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: N/A

Water in Blue Tank – ~135 Gal.

Time(s) of watering for crops: 7:00 PM

SEASONAL PLANTING HISTORY:

Change to crops: None.

OTHER NOTES:

1st sprouts: N/A

—Martian rodent has eaten strawberries. Setup trap/release with two bits of sweet potato.

—Gnats infested strawberry plants.

—Adjusted suspended avocado pits to touch water.

—Leaving door closed at 9:20AM. Opened door at 12:05PM. Closed door at 2:35PM.

Harvest: Checked radishes. Not ready for harvest.

Support/supplies requested: N/A.

Sol Summary – December 22nd

  

Crew 218 Sol Summary Report 22-DEC-2019

Sol: 00

Summary Title: Final Preparations

Author's name: Pat Pesa

Mission Status: Everyone is Learning!

Sol Activity Summary: Our first morning on campus was this morning. We
started off early with facility operations training. Next we finished
filling the static tank with water, and restocked on shelf stable food
to last us the remaining two weeks. After lunch the crew continued
training with Rovers and EVA suits, with plans on using both in full
simulation tomorrow. The evening concluded with final briefing from
Mission Control, Crew Dinner, and then submission of reports during
our daily communication window.

Look ahead plan: Tomorrow will be our first EVAs and Rover use.

Anomalies in work: None

Weather: Clear and Sunny, around 30 degrees

Crew physical status: healthy

EVA: none

Reports to be filed: sol summary, commander report, operations report,
greenhab report, journalist report, HSO Beginning of Mission checklist,
Mission Plan

Support Requested: none

Pat
Geologist, MDRS 218 

Commander Report – December 22nd

  


Another long day of training, the rhythm much faster that what we will have once we settle down in our Martian habitat. Today we had a full tour of the habitat, and it was interesting to see how many little things have been improved in our simulation, the RAM, the habitat, the ScienceDome, the Greenhab. The crew is beginning to show signs of excitement and awe, and we are all ready to delve into simulation tomorrow. All our briefings and crew discussions today gave us all the tools to make this a successful and amazing mission!! Boiler up and on to Mars.

Cesare

Commander, MDRS 218

Crew Photos – December 21st

  

 Crew 218 bio sketches:

Commander and Crew Astronomer
Dr. Cesare Guariniello is a Research Scientist in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics in Purdue University. He holds two Master's degrees, in Automation and Robotics Engineering and in Astronautical Engineering, from the University of Rome "La Sapienza", and a PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Purdue University. His research ranges from System-of-Systems design and architecture to space applications, cybersecurity, and defense and includes projects with NASA, the US DoD, the US Navy, and MITRE corporation. Cesare recently expanded his research in the field of Earth Sciences, where he is pursuing a Master's degree in Planetary Geology. Cesare is a senior member of AIAA and IEEE, and a member of INCOSE, AAS, and various other professional societies.
Outside academia, Cesare spends much time with Purdue Fencing Club, of which he is assistant coach and advisor. In 2014 he obtained all three levels of amateur radio certifications and the first of his five scuba diving certifications. In 2016 he obtained his Private Pilot License, and in 2018 his instrument rating. Most recently he earned a Wilderness First Responder and a Rescue Diver certification. In 2018, he served as crew geologist in crew 186 at the Mars Desert Research Station and in 2019 he served as commander of crew 202.

Crew Scientist and Greenhab Officer
Dr. Jonathan R. Buzan attended the University of California Santa Cruz for his bachelor's degree in planetary sciences. He pursued a Masters and PhD at Purdue University in atmospheric physics and planetary habitability. While attending graduate school, he was accepted into the Advanced Study Program and the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Jonathan is currently a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Bern, Switzerland.

Crew Engineer
Luz Maria (LuzMa) Agudelo Urrego is a s a PhD student in Civil Engineering at Purdue University. She did her undergrad in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Antioquia in Medellin, Colombia. She holds a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering with a focus on computational engineering and mechanics of materials. Her current research is focused on Moon lava tubes and the physics and mechanics of Earth materials.

Health and Safety Officer
Shefali Rana graduated from Purdue with a Master's degree in Industrial Engineering in 2018. She is currently a Reliability engineer working on on-highway applications for Cummins Emissions Solutions. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Clemson University. She has interest in reliability, durability, human factors, human-systems integration and interaction. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring new places and learning about different cultures and perspectives.

Crew Geologist
Pat Pesa is from a small town in Massachusetts and is a senior dual majoring in Astronautical Engineering and Planetary Science at Purdue University. He wants to pursue graduate school next Fall, to focus on the development of instrumentation that will progress the field of Space Exploration. At MDRS he hopes to test non-intrusive methods of testing sub-surface rock strength and believes this will be a crucial element of Humanity's future aspirations of colonizing Mars. Outside of academics Pat is deeply passionate about educational outreach and community development. He frequently spends his Saturdays waking up at 6am to go to disadvantaged neighborhoods and builds with Habitat for Humanity, or travels to local schools and museums to teach STEM activities with the Purdue Space Day organization.

Crew Journalist
Benjamin (Ben) Durkee is a junior at the Purdue University School of Aeronautics & Astronautics. He hopes to pursue a concentration in astrodynamics while still obtaining a comprehensive knowledge of other aerospace disciplines. At the same time, he is earning a minor in Organizational Leadership. Outside of academics, he is a jazz pianist and a marching bass drummer. He also enjoys rock climbing, drone racing, and scuba diving

Cesare
Commander, MDRS 218

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