Author: jburk

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Crew 215 Journalist Report 19Nov2019

[title Journalist Report – November 19th]

Tues 19 Nov Sol 9
by Guy Murphy
Today was planned against the countdown to rain expected this evening, which will turn
the surrounding landscape of absorbant clays into unpassable slush. The usually
dessicating air is become more humid. Any outdoor activities we hoped to do on this
crew rotation needed to be completed by the end of today. Shane, Larissa and I ventured
out on EVA tracing the entry road towards the edge of the public lands to return some
rock samples to their original context. We stopped to take some final photos of each
other wearing simulated space suits along the way. We have completed our sampling of
magnetic particles undertaken as part of the micro-meteorite study, so this was most
likely the final EVA for Crew 215.
When we were nearest Hanksville, my mobile phone suddenly begun beeping with text
messages. I had momentarily picked up a phone signal for the first time in some weeks.
Whether by design or otherwise, the MDRS campus is located in a mobile phone signal
black spot, and I had not received any text messages while there.
On Mars, communication with home will be strained. The internet protocal has been
extended to communicate with other planets and deep space, and between Earth and Mars
this will involve time delays of between approximately 4 and 24 minutes each way
depending on where the planets are located. Bandwidth will be restricted, so the high
speed, data rich existance people on Earth are accustomed to will not be possible.
Reflecting these constraints, the MDRS has a data limits on its internet connection,
which has to be shared between the crew and also used for submitting formal reports.
This is one of the major lifestyle differences of living here in simulation mode, and
takes some getting used to, but its a chance to rediscover the moment and ponder how
much of our ‘connectedness’ in really necessary. Online video is out of the question,
though new recipes for the bread machine are not.
The lack of phone contact and limited internet is supplemented with direct radio with
the nearby onsite support crew. This evening we are hearing crackling on the radio of
distant approaching storms. A lot of static electricity is generated in this dry
environment, and depending on my clothing, there may be a small crack or flash when I
touch the metal ladder balustrade at night.

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Crew 215 Greenhab Report 19Nov2019

[title Greenhab Report – November 19th]

Crew 215 GreenHab Report 19-11-2019
GreenHab Officer: Guy Murphy
Environmental control: Door left open for ventilation midday then reclosed 5pm as the
day was overcast.
Average temperature: 23C (temperature read 12.07pm, 3:12pm)
Hours of supplemental light: Automatic system
Daily water usage for crops: 20 litres (2.5 full blue watering cans).
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes:
Water in Blue Tank –
Time(s) of watering for crops: 8:30am.
Changes to crops: Planted 25 white Narcissus bulbs in pots.

SEASONAL PLANTING HISTORY
Established plants introduced 03/11/2019

[3x] strawberry plants (Everbearing), in medium metal planter
[1x] spicy orange thyme (thymus fragantissimus), small terra cotta pot
[1x] lemon balm scented geranium (pelargonium x Melissinum), small terra cotta pot
[1x] Mint Mentha – Berries & Cream, small terra cotta pot
[1x] Pineapple Mint – mentha suaveolens variegated, small terra cotta pot
[1x] Ice plant – Delospermo ‘jewel of the desert garnet’, small terra cotta pot
[1x] Sempervium textorum assorted Hen & Chicks, small terra cotta pot
[1x] Rosemary ‘Barbecue’ (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Barbecue’), large plastic pot
[1x] Rosemary ‘Spice Island’ Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Spice Island’, large plastic pot
[1x] mint, grapefruit, large plastic pot
[2x] small Aloe Vera, in medium metal planter, frost damaged (removed 1311219)

Seeds Planted 04/11/2019 (Large metal planting tub)
Greek Oregano – Origanum heracleoticum
Chives – Allium schoenoprasum
Sweet Marjoram – Origanum majorana
Lemon Balm – Melissa officialnis
Sage – Savia Officinalis
Thai Basil – Siam Queen
German/Winter Thyme – Thymus vulgaris

Seeds Planted 10/11/2019 (Large metal planting tub)
Corinader – Coriandrum Sativum

Seeds Planted in 12/11/2019 (2 smaller planting tubs)
Carrots ‘Purple Sun F1’
Radish ‘icicle’

Seeds Planted 13/11/2019
Perpetual Spinach, Rocket, Spinach ‘Lakeside F1’in medium metal planter.
Tomato (Chocolate Cherry) and Tomato Pole Roma in small pots for transplantation.

Seeds Planted 14/11/2019
Tomato (Chocolate Cherry) and Tomato Pole Roma in small pots for transplantation.
Onion (Evergreen White Bunching)
Cucumbers (Patio Snackers F1) in hanging pot
Pepper (Mini Bell Color Mix) in small pots for transplantation.

Seeds Planted 15/11/2019
Acorn Pumpkin in a small pot for future transplantation. Seed taken from a pumpkin
brought to the Hab at start of rotation as a vegetable.
Snow Peas in 2 hanging pots.

Bulbs planted 19/11/2019
25 white Narcissus bulbs (Paperwhites ‘Ziva’)
Planted into 3 small terra cotta pots & 2 long planter boxes.

Other seeds stored in the Greenhab are identified as –

Rocket ‘Arugula Rocket Salad ‘Rocky’ (Diplotaxis tenuifolia), 1/2 packet
Spinach ‘Lakeside F1’, 1/2 packet
Carrots ‘Purple Sun F1’ – 1/2 packet
Radish ‘icicle’ – 1/2 packet
Snow Pea (Oregon Giant)
Cucumbers (Patio Snackers F1), 1/2 packet
Onion (Evergreen White Bunching), 1/2 packet
Pepper (Mini Bell Color Mix), 1/2 packet
Perpetual Spinach (Green Leaf Chard), 1/2 packet

Partly used packed of seed have been stored in the provided tin to protect from vermin.
This will also also repropogation later in the season to stagger harvest times and
allow resowing if crops are lost.

Harvest: None

Support/supplies needed: Last night 3 bags potting mix, 5 bags garden soil & 2 aloe
vera plants were delivered.

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Crew 215 EVA Report 19Nov2019

[title EVA Report – November 19th]

Crew 215 EVA Report 19-Nov-2019
EVA # 10
Author: Jennifer Lane
Purpose of EVA: To return rock samples used for training to collection sites
Start time: 0915
End time: 1025
Narrative: We made our way south on Cow Dung road to road 1101 where we pulled up and
found a nice place to return our agate samples, among other things that we had been
viewing through the microscope. On our way back up Cow Dung Road we stopped to take
photos at several locations, noting that this was likely to be our last EVA due to the
incoming inclement weather.
Destination: Entry to road 1101
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 519500E 4247300N
Participants: Guy Murphy, Shane Usher and Jennifer Lane
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: South on Cow Dung Road, onto road 1101
Mode of travel: Curiosity Rover and Spirit Rover

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Operations Report – November 19th

Crew 215 Operations Report 19-Nov-2019
SOL: 9
Name of person filing report: Shane Usher
Non-nominal systems: N/A
Notes on non-nominal systems: N/A
Generator: run
Hours run: 12 h
From what time last night: 1910
To what time this morning: 0710
List any additional daytime hours when the generator was run: N/A
Solar— SOC % (Before generator is run at night): 78%
Diesel Reading – 46%
Station Propane Reading – 67%
Ethanol Free Gasoline: N/A
Water (loft tank) (gal): 42
Water Meter (units): 1459254
Water (static tank) (gal): 327
Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Water in Green Hab (gal): 243.7
Water in Science Dome (gal): 0
Toilet tank emptied: yes
Deimos rover used: no
Hours: –
Beginning charge: –
Ending charge: –
Currently charging: –
Sojourner rover used: Assigned to Director
Hours: –
Beginning charge: –
Ending charge: –
Currently charging: –
Spirit rover used: yes
Hours: 111.7
Beginning charge: (Before EVA): 100%
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): 41%
Currently charging: yes
Opportunity rover used: no
Hours: 68
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: yes
Curiosity rover used: yes
Hours: 118.1
Beginning charge: (Before EVA) : 100%
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before charging): 63%
Currently charging: yes
Notes on rovers: Spirit had high drain rate during use with 2 passengers.
ATV’s Used: (Honda, 300, 350.1, 350.2, 350.3): no
Reason for use: N/A
Oil Added? no
ATV Fuel Used (gal): 0
# Hours the ATVs were used today: 0
Notes on ATVs: Assigned to the director
HabCar used and why, where? With Director
CrewCar used and why, where? At Grand Junction awaiting Crew 216
General notes and comments: N/A
Summary of internet: Functional
Summary of suits and radios: Voice Activation Transmission had been activated on some radios and caused general confusion. VOX now deactivated on all radios.
Summary of Hab operations: N/A
Summary of GreenHab operations: Atmospheric equalization to the green hab carried out during the afternoon, plants were watered (20L,5.7 gal). Door closed at 5pm, heater on for a short time.
Summary of Science Dome operations: Gypsum cement experiments conducted.
Summary of RAM operations: N/A
Summary of any observatory issues: Nominal
Summary of health and safety issues: All crew healthy
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: Requested supplies arrived through RAM

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Crew 215 Science Report 19Nov2019

[title Science Report – November 19th]

Science Report 19 November 2019
SOL: 9
Crew 215 – Expedition Boomerang Crew
Submitted by Science Officer Andrew Wheeler
Science Dome Operations: The experimenting with gypsum and sand to create a form of
plaster of paris cement commenced. Various samples of known mass were heated for 5 or
10 minutes and either combined with sand or not and then mixed with 4ml or 8ml of
water. Each slurry was placed into a tray and is being allowed to dry to examine
strength. A byproduct of this experiment is the realization that the finely ground
gypsum is actual plaster of paris and could be used for its intended medical purpose on
Mars.
Green Hab: Green Hab operations have continued with additional soil and potting mix
allowing further crops to be sown. See Green Hab report.
RAM Operations: N/A
EVA: The final EVA for science saw us returning rock specimens used for identification
and training purposes to the collection sites to the west of White Rock Canyon. See EVA
Report.
EVA Suit Maintenance: Nominal. See Operations Report.
Psycho-social Stressors Monitoring: Data collection continues through the hexoskin(TM)
monitoring vests.
Additional activities: Two potential medical uses of material being liberated from the
gypsum experiments, the original medical use of plaster of paris and the liberated
water (being equivalent to distilled water) used to create a saline solution (NaCl),
were evaluated concurrently with the cement creation trials.

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Crew 215 Sol Summary 19Nov2019

[title Sol Summary – November 19th]

[category Sol-Summary ]

Crew 215 Sol Summary Report 19-NOV-2019
Sol: 9
Summary Title: The last EVA
Author’s name: Andrew Wheeler
Mission Status: Active
Sol Activity Summary: Gypsum experimentation got underway with the first samples being heated for either 5 or 10 minutes, either mixed with sand or not, reconstituted with 4ml or 8ml of water and set to dry in trays. During these experiments it became clear that the liberated water (distilled water equivalent) could be used to create a saline solution for medical needs and that the fine grained gypsum was actual plaster of paris and could be used for its original medical purpose. The morning also saw the last EVA as we returned training rock specimens to their original collection locations west of White Rock Canyon along 1101 Road (519500E 4247300N). The afternoon saw further experimentation with the gypsum samples and potting of new seedlings in the Green Hab. The sol was rounded out with Taco Tuesday, and fruit jelly with chocolate pudding for desert.
Look Ahead Plan: More plantings in the Green Hab and a continuation of the gypsum cement investigations.
Anomalies in work: N/A.
Weather: Possible rain overnight and during the day, light winds.
Crew Physical Status: Healthy
EVA: Sample return. See EVA Report.
Reports to be file: Sol Summary Report, Operations Report, Science Report, EVA Report, Green Hab Report, Journalist Report, Daily Photos.
Support Requested: N/A

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Operations Report – Nov 17th

Crew 215 Operations Report 17-Nov-2019
SOL: 7
Name of person filing report: Shane Usher

Non-nominal systems: N/A
Notes on non-nominal systems: N/A

Generator: run
Hours run: 12h
From what time last night: 1910
To what time this morning: 0710
List any additional daytime hours when the generator was run: N/A
Solar— SOC % (Before the generator is run at night): 72%

Diesel Reading – 48%
Station Propane Reading – 69%
Ethanol Free Gasoline: N/A

Water (loft tank) (gal): 47
Water Meter (units): 1458472
Water (static tank) (gal): 354
Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Water in Green Hab (gal): 250.7
Water in Science Dome (gal): 0

Toilet tank emptied: no

Deimos rover used: no
Hours: –
Beginning charge: –
Ending charge: –
Currently charging: –

Sojourner rover used: Assigned to Director
Hours: –
Beginning charge: –
Ending charge: –
Currently charging: –

Spirit rover used: no
Hours: 111.2
Beginning charge: (Before EVA): 100%
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): 100%
Currently charging: yes

Opportunity rover used: no
Hours: 66.5
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: yes

Curiosity rover used: no
Hours: 117.1
Beginning charge: (Before EVA) : 100%
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before charging): 100%
Currently charging: yes

Notes on rovers: N/A

ATV’s Used: (Honda, 300, 350.1, 350.2, 350.3): no
Reason for use: N/A
Oil Added? no
ATV Fuel Used (gal): 0
# Hours the ATVs were used today: 0
Notes on ATVs: Assigned to the director

HabCar used and why, where? With Director
CrewCar used and why, where? At Grand Junction awaiting Crew 216

General notes and comments: N/A
Summary of internet: Functional
Summary of suits and radios: Radios switched from CH9&12 to 19&22.
Summary of Hab operations: N/A
Summary of GreenHab operations: Atmospheric equalization to the green hab carried out
during the afternoon, plants were watered (8L,2.3 gal). Door closed at 5pm.
Summary of Science Dome operations: N/A
Summary of RAM operations: Nominal
Summary of any observatory issues: Nominal
Summary of health and safety issues: Crew in good health.

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: N/A

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Sol Summary – Nov 17th

Crew 215 Sol Summary Report 17-NOV-2019
Sol: 7
Summary Title: Day of Rest
Author’s name: Andrew Wheeler

Mission Status: Active

Sol Activity Summary: Today was a day off where not only the batteries got to recharge.
Personal chores and inactivity marked our day as we relaxed our way to the evening meal and the daily link with CapCom. It’s nice to be on Mars soaking in the grandeur.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow sees a long-range emergency retrieval simulation EVA in the afternoon. The morning will see the gypsum cement experiments kick into full attention with the completion of the sampling and dismantling of the micrometeorite grid.

Anomalies in work: N/A.

Weather: Just freezing overnight, light winds, clear skies.

Crew Physical Status: Healthy

EVA: N/A

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary Report, Operations Report, EVA Report, Journalist Report, Photo of the Day.

Support Requested: Resupply for plain flour and milk, trash removal

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Journalist Report – Nov 17th

Sun 17 Nov Sol 7
by Guy Murphy

Illustrations of an early Mars landing often show a Habitat, Earth return vehicle, solar plant or a nuclear reactor, supply landers and a small greenhouse ‘for growing the mission’s food’. Usually, the greenhouses shown are way too small to meaningfully grow anything, but a real Mars base is going to need fresh produce to supplement the crew’s diet and to pioneer the growth of large scale crops.

The Greenhab at the MDRS is a good size for demonstrating the range of crops that can be grown in greenhouse conditions, and after a few months should be able to provide something for the crew’s
meal plates at least once a day. I have commenced as Greenhab Officer at the start of the field season. I am therefore planting crops with a time horizon lasting till May 2020. (There are no perennial plants here).

Some crops such as radishes and lettuces will be ready to harvest very quickly. It is best to plant these every month or so in modest quantities, so the crew doesn’t suddenly have more on hand than it can eat or store. Species with long yield times should be planted as soon as possible to allow time to mature. These include tomatoes, capsicums, onions and members of the cucurbit family such as pumpkins, zucchini, cucumbers, and melons. Some of these can be stored as harvested, or dried or frozen.

There are no bees or other insects to pollinate flowers, which means there will need to be hand-pollinated instead. Larger growing plants will need larger pots. Trailing plants are good because they can grow over a much larger area than their soil container, running over the ground or up over frames. The legume family will produce its own nitrogen in its roof system, providing benefits to the soil that can be available to other plants. On Mars, species where all the plants can be eaten (or fed to other edible creatures) will be given preference, as these will help minimize waste.

With these considerations, we now have tomatoes, capsium, cucumbers, snow peas, onions, carrots, radishes, strawberries, spinach and rocket currently growing in the Greenhab, with more to be planted with the next soil delivery. As long as the Greenhab officer in the future crews tends the crops, a bountiful harvest should be possible here.

On Mars, the crew will need larger greenhouses to establish a more reliable food supply and allow for crop failures, including accidental pressurisation. Artificial soils based on the surface regolith will need to be created, with reliable heating, water sources, pressurisation, and lighting. Some argue hydroponic systems might be more efficient.

Future Martian gardeners should not have to worry about insects and rodents at least. We, on the other hand, saw a wild white-tailed antelope squirrel, which had wandered inside from the adjacent plain. Before I leave here I will pot up the bag of narcissus bulbs, like a pot or 2 of these inside the Hab would bring some cheer.

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