Science Report 12 November 2019
SOL: 2
Crew 215 – Expedition Boomerang Crew
Submitted by Science Officer Andrew Wheeler
Science Dome Operations: The first 10 samples from the new micrometeorite sampling grid at MM5 (518462E 4248949N) were received, processed and prepared for dispatch. Previously collected gypsum samples were retrieved from storage in preparation for the ISRU cement/concrete manufacture experiments.
Green Hab: Green Hab operations have continued. See Green Hab report.
RAM Operations: N/A
EVA: The second EVA for science saw us returning to MM5 (518462E 4248949N) to complete setting out the micrometeorite sampling grid and collect the first row of 10 samples. See EVA Report.
EVA Suit Maintenance: Suit 10 has had the blown fuse replaced and is ready to be returned to use. Suit 2 is still being evaluated. See Operations Report.
Additional activities: Acoustic volumes were recorded. Habitat layout was evaluated. Psycho-social stressors continued to be monitored.
EVA Report – November 12th
Crew 215 EVA Report 12 Nov 2019
EVA # 02
Author: Jennifer Lane
Purpose of EVA: Completed deployment of Micrometeorite grid before beginning sweeping
grid squares, as well as exploring local geology.
Start time: 0945
End time: 1220
Narrative: First priority was to finish off placing the strings at site MM5 to divide
the 10×10 m grid into 1 m squares. This was accomplished fairly quickly, so using the magnet on a fishing rod type configuration, sweeping began. After each square the bag is sealed to store the micrometeorites from that 1 m square and labelled before going onto the next square. Row ‘J’ was able to be fully swept and bagged. With some time left, we travelled further south along Cow Dung Road to road 1101 to explore local geology in the search for aggregate suitable for making cement before returning to the hab with some agate to look at under the microscope. Destination: South on Cow Dung Road to the Micrometeorite site, and then back on Cow Dung Road down to road 1101, before returning to the hab.
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 518473E 4248960N and 519500E 4247300N
Participants: Commander Andrew Wheeler, Shane Usher and Steve Whitfield
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road and road 1101.
Mode of travel: Spirit & Curiosity Rover
Journalist Report – November 12th
Tues 12 Nov Sol 2
by Guy Murphy
Shane Usher and Steve Whitfield undertook their first EVAs today, on a morning excursion led by our geologist and Mission Commander, Andrew Wheeler. Larissa and Jennifer helped them get ready. The process starts with the donning of flight suits and hiking boots. The astronauts then select and test radios, and put on headsets. They are helped into their single or double piece space suits, which have internal ventilation fans that need to be activated. Once ready, the crew stand in the intermediate airlock space as a 5 minute simulated decompression occurs – a patient wait for those on each side of the airlock door. The explorers then step through the outer airlock door and onto the dusty surface to begin work.
As Greenhab Officer for the mission, I spent spent some of the day working in the outside of the main Hab. The Greenhab is a freestanding greenhouse connected by a simulated pressurised tunnel which is large enough to partially complement the diets of crew with vegetables at peak harvest time. Utah is very cold in winter, but during the day the cloudless skies quickly warm the Greenhab interior. Lights and heaters come on at night.
The operational season for the MDRS has just begun, so we are still at the planting stage. Seeds for kitchen herbs have germinated. Larger plants are in terra cotta pots. Strawberries have begun flowering. Today I planted carrot and radish seed, and soon I will sow tomatoes, capsium and rocket. Given our diet of shelf storable dehydrated food, fresh greens are a luxury on Mars. While labour intensive, it is worth the effort of cultivation. Tending the plants is an enjoyable, relaxing activity. The presence of a Greenhab Officer in each crew should ensure continuity in plant care over the operational season of the campus.
We started lunch with Larissa’s entree of vegetarian pulled pork. (Ingredients included shredded banana skins.) Steve helped prepare a pesto pasta for dinner. Soon crew will be enjoying pasta with pesto made from Greenhab grown Basil.
GreenHab Report – November 12th
Crew 215 GreenHab Report 12-11-2019
GreenHab Officer: Guy Murphy
Environmental control: Door left open for ventilation 12 midday then reclosed 5pm.
Average temperatures: –
Hours of supplemental light: Automatic system
Daily water usage for crops: 24 litres (3 full blue watering cans).
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes:
Water in Blue Tank – tank was completely filled during afternoon.
Time(s) of watering for crops: 10am, 2pm.
Changes to crops: Carrots, radishes planted.
Established plants introduced to Greenhab 03/11/2019
[3x] strawberry plants (Everbearing), in medium metal planter
[2x] small Aloe Vera, in medium metal planter, frost damaged
[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
Seeds Planted in Greenhab 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 in Greenhab 10/11/2019 (Large metal planting tub)
Corinader – Coriandrum Sativum
Seeds Planted in Greenhab 12/11/2019 (2 smaller planting tubs)
Carrots ‘Purple Sun F1’
Radish ‘icicle’
Other seeds stored in the Greenhab but not yet planted are identified as –
Onion (Evergreen White Bunching)
Rocket ‘Arugula Rocket Salad ‘Rocky’ (Diplotaxis tenuifolia)
Spinach ‘Lakeside F1’
Tomato Pole Roma ‘San Marzano’ (Solanum lycopersicum)
Carrots ‘Purple Sun F1’ – 1/2 packet left
Radish ‘icicle’ – 1/2 packet left
Snow Pea (Oregon Giant)
Cucumbers (Patio Snackers F1)
Pepper (Mini Bell Color Mix)
Tomato (Chocolate Cherry)
Perpetual Spinach (Green Leaf Chard)
25 white Narcissus bulbs (Paperwhites ‘Ziva’)
Harvest: None
Support/supplies needed: N/A
Sol Summary – November 12th
Crew 215 Sol Summary Report 12-NOV-2019
Sol: 2
Summary Title: Experimenting gathers pace.
Author’s name: Andrew Wheeler
Mission Status: Active
Sol Activity Summary: Sol 2 saw an intensification of our data collecting. More plants were sown in the Green Hab, acoustic samples were acquired throughout the hab, a site analysis of the hab layout work was undertaken and, in the morning, an EVA to the MM5 site (518462E 4248949N) allowed us to complete deploying the sampling grid and collect the first 10 samples. In the afternoon, the micrometeorite samples were processed and packaged for dispatch whilst the monitoring of psycho-social stressors in isolated environments continues. With the ingredients and equipment on hand we continue to create delicious though unusual cooked meals to keep us happy and healthy.
Look Ahead Plan: Return EVA to White Moon (517724E 4254500N) to collect further gypsum samples. See EVA request. Continue monitoring of psycho-social stressors.
Anomalies in work: N/A
Weather: Marginally below freezing overnight, no breeze, clear skies.
Crew Physical Status: Healthy
EVA: Reconnaissance EVA. See EVA report
Reports to be file: Sol Summary Report, Operations Report, Science Report, GreenHab Report, EVA Request, EVA Report, Journalist Report, Daily Photos.
Support Requested: N/A
Crew Photos – Nov 11th
Photo of the day – Moonrise on Mars.jpg
Sol Summary – Nov 11th
Crew 215 Sol Summary Report 11-NOV-2019
Sol: 1
Summary Title: Operational
Author’s name: Andrew Wheeler
Mission Status: Active
Sol Activity Summary: First sol on Mars saw us hitting the ground running. After a morning brief, we headed south of the hab in search of locations for setting up a sampling grid for micrometeorites and a source of hydrated minerals. No locations for hydrated minerals were identified, however two sites MM5 (518462E 4248949N) and MM6
(519990E 4248036N) for a sampling grid were identified and a grid established at MM5.
This being Remembrance or Armistice Day, activity was interrupted at 1100 with one minute’s silence for the fallen. Lest We Forget. Back at the Hab, the afternoon was spent preparing for fully deploying the sampling grid, troubleshooting space suits and preliminary monitoring of psycho/social stressors in isolated environments. A curry dinner followed by fruit salad rounded out our day.
Look Ahead Plan: Science EVA to MM5 site to set out of the micrometeorite sampling
grid. Monitoring of psycho/social stressors.
Anomalies in work: N/A
Weather: Marginally below freezing overnight, slight breeze, clear skies.
Crew Physical Status: Healthy
EVA: Reconnaissance EVA. See EVA report
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary Report, Operations Report, Science Report, GreenHab Report, EVA Request, EVA Report, Journalist Report, Daily Photos.
Support Requested: See Operations Report
Science Report – Nov 11th
Science Report 11 November 2019
SOL: 1
Crew 215 – Expedition Boomerang Crew
Submitted by Science Officer Andrew Wheeler
Science Dome Operations: Activity in the science dome included preparing for the deployment of the micrometeorite sampling grid and labeling the sample bags.
Green Hab: Green Hab operations have continued. See Green Hab report.
RAM Operations: The RAM Dome has been activated and has been accessed for suit batteries and fuses for Suit 10 and Suit 2. See the Operations report.
EVA: The first EVA for science involved a geological reconnaissance to the southwest of the hab where two locations on wash areas were scouted for the continuing sampling for micrometeorites. These sites – MM5 (518462E 4248949N) and MM6 (519990E 4248036N) appear to be seasonal alluvial fan deposits and the sampling grid has been established at MM5. See EVA Report.
EVA Suit Maintenance: The crew engineer has evaluated Suit 10 and Suit 2 and has identified the likely faults. See Operations Report.
Additional activities: Nil.
Greenhab Report – Nov 11th
Crew 215 GreenHab Report 11-11-2019
GreenHab Officer: Guy Murphy
Environmental control: Door left open for ventilation 12 midday then reclosed 5 pm.
Average temperatures: –
Hours of supplemental light: Automatic system
Daily water usage for crops: 32 litres (4 full blue watering cans).
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes:
Water in Blue Tank _____ gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops: 10am, 2pm.
Changes to crops: None
Established plants introduced to Greenhab 03/11/2019
[3x] strawberry plants (Everbearing), in medium metal planter
[2x] small Aloe Vera, in medium metal planter, frost damaged
[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
Seeds Planted in Greenhab 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 in Greenhab 10/11/2019 (Large metal planting tub)
Coriander – Coriandrum Sativum
Other seeds stored in the Greenhab but not yet planted are identified as –
Onion (Evergreen White Bunching)
Rocket ‘Arugula Rocket Salad ‘Rocky’ (Diplotaxis tenuifolia)
Spinach ‘Lakeside F1’
Tomato Pole Roma ‘San Marzano’ (Solanum lycopersicum)
Carrots ‘Purple Sun F1’
Radish ‘icicle’
Snow Pea (Oregon Giant)
Cucumbers (Patio Snackers F1)
Pepper (Mini Bell Color Mix)
Tomato (Chocolate Cherry)
Perpetual Spinach (Green Leaf Chard)
Harvest: None
Support/supplies needed: N/A
Operations Report – Nov 11th
Crew 215 Operations Report 11-NOV-2019
SOL: 1
Name of person filing report: Shane Usher
Non-nominal systems: Opportunity, Suit 10, Suit 5 Helmet, No power to multiple downstairs wall sockets.
Notes on non-nominal systems: Opportunity brakes do not work, Suit 10 is not functioning (fuse type 5 is blown), Suit 5 Helmet falling apart, Suit 2 Battery supplying low power. Loft Tank Feed tank leaky (temporarily fixed with gaffer tape).
The water pump is very loud.
Generator: run
Hours run: 12h 30 min
From what time last night: 1800
To what time this morning: 0730
List any additional daytime hours when the generator was run: N/A
Solar— SOC % (Before generator is run at night): 78%
Diesel Reading – 54%
Station Propane Reading – 74%
Ethanol Free Gasoline: N/A
Water (loft tank): 55 gallons
Water Meter: 1457225 units
Water (static tank): 304 gallons (not filled)
Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Water in Green Hab: 225 gallons – 28 L (7 gallons) used
Water in Science Dome: 0 gallons
Toilet tank emptied: no
Deimos rover used: not at hab
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: 110.0
Beginning charge: (Before EVA): 100%
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): 100%
Currently charging: yes.
Opportunity rover used: no
Hours: 65.6
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: no
Curiosity rover used: yes
Hours: 115.7
Beginning charge: (Before EVA) : 100%
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before charging): 100%
Currently charging: yes
Notes on rovers: no
ATV’s Used: (Honda, 300, 350.1, 350.2, 350.3): no
Reason for use: N/A
Oil Added? no
ATV Fuel Used: 0 Gals
# 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 today, but CAPCOMs was down in the evening on Sol 0.
Summary of suits and radios: Suit 2 needs a replacement battery, Suit 5 Helmet falling
apart, Suit 10 requires type 5 fuse.
Summary of Hab operations: All systems nominal apart from; Stateroom5, Edison screw lightbulb Max 13W required; Fire alarm test button not working in Hab upper level; Fire alarm test button disintegrated in GreenHab; Numerous powerpoints not functional on the ground floor of hab. The water pump is very loud.
Summary of GreenHab operations: Atmospheric equalization to the green hab was carried out during the day, plants were watered (28L). The heater automatically came on at 5 pm.
Summary of Science Dome operations: All systems nominal.
Summary of RAM operations: Not used
Summary of any observatory issues: Nominal
Summary of health and safety issues: All crew healthy
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: Static tank topped up to approximately 350 L. Water heater unusable. Opportunity is currently unusable.
We need advice about how we can obtain a replacement battery and fuse (type 5) for Suits. Loft tank feed pipe needs a new hose connection to eliminate the leak. We might be able to improve the current setup with Teflon tape and duct tape.
Supplemental:
Supply Request List:
12-volt lead-acid battery – Suit 2 Hab ground floor
Fuse (Type 5) – Suit 10 Hab ground floor
Fire smoke alarm – Hab upper level
Fire smoke alarm – GreenHab
Water Pump – water tank outside next to Hab?
Water tank feed hose connection – Loft
Gaffer Tape – RAM
Teflon tape – RAM
Electrical Service: Powerpoint not functioning – Hab ground floor near the hot water system
Safety: Static electric shock becoming significant around the Hab
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