Author: jburk

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Greenhab Report – December 3rd

Crew 216 GreenHab Report 03-DEC-19
Crew GreenHab Officer: Michael Ho

Environmental control: Door opened for ventilation at 12.10 pm, closed at 5.00 pm.
Average temperature: 18C
Hours of supplemental light: Automatic system
Daily water usage for crops: 18L
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: nil
Water in Blue Tank – enough
Time(s) of watering for crops: 09.45 am; 4.45 pm.

SEASONAL PLANTING HISTORY:
(Plants introduced since 03/11/2019 till 22/11/2019 please refer to Crew 215 GreenHab Report of 22/11/2019.)
Crew 216:
26/11/2019:
1 avocado seed in small black pot
24/11/2019:
1 avocado seed in small black pot
23/11/2019:
seeded Zucchini in 2 large black pots
seeded Chilli Pepper ‘Shishito’ in 2 2-gallon black pots
seeded Sweet Greenfield Pepper ‘California Wonder’ in 2 2-gallon black pots seeded Swiss Chard ‘Flamingo Pink’ in 4 2-gallon black pots
transplanted three self-seeded tomato plants in large blue tub transplanted to 2-gallon pots

OTHER NOTES:
1st sprouts:
Zucchini – 1 of 2 pots;
Sweet Peppers – 1 of 4 pots;
Tomatoes – 3 more pots – making a total of 4 of 6 pots;

Harvest: None
Support/supplies requested:nil.

“You cannot change the course of the wind, but you can adjust your sails.”

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EVA Report – December 3rd

Crew 216 EVA Report 03-Dec-2019
EVA # 13
Author: Whittle
Purpose of EVA: In-situ fluorescent mineral survey. Per agreement with the director, this EVA extended into low light and was therefore partial sim (flight suits only). No photos/videos were taken. Start time for EVA: 1700
End time for EVA: 1820
Narrative: Drove to Robert’s Rock Garden, inspected sites found on EVA 12. Proof of concept completed and a number of samples collected for lab analysis. Returned to Hab via same route.
Destination: Kissing Camel Ridge (Robert’s Rock Garden)
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12 S 0518364 4249273.
EVA Participants: Lawson, Whittle, Kennedy
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) Drove from Hab to Robert’s Rock Garden via Cow Dung Road
2) Explored Robert’s Rock Garden to mark (GPS) locations for EVA 13 3) Returned to Hab via same route
Mode of travel: Curiosity, Spirit

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EVA Report – December 3rd

Crew 216 EVA Report 03-Dec-2019
EVA # 12
Author: Whittle
Purpose of EVA: Reconnaissance for EVA 13 (evening EVA)
Start time for EVA: 0830
End time for EVA: 0915
Narrative: Drove to Robert’s Rock Garden, found 4 sites for evening inspection in vicinity of rovers (<10m from road). All sites marked with GPS and track recorded to annotate map for nighttime navigation. Returned to Hab via same route.
Destination: Kissing Camel Ridge (Robert’s Rock Garden)
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12 S 0518364 4249273.
EVA Participants: Lawson, Whittle, Alexandrova
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) Drive from Hab to Robert’s Rock Garden via Cow Dung Road
2) Explore Robert’s Rock Garden to mark (GPS) locations for EVA 13 3) Return to Hab via same route
Mode of travel: Curiosity, Spirit

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Research Report – December 3rd

Crew 216 Research Report 3-Dec-2019
Sol 9
Submitted by: Whittle

1) Psych Scale (TAMU IRB2019-1042D) – 3rd stage surveys to take place on Wednesday.

2) Medical Casts – powder was dehydrated with 400 degree Celsius treatment. Samples were taken before and after dehydration to evaluate total water loss by weight. Powder will be rehydrated into molds to evaluate breaking points tomorrow or Thursday pending success of standardized mold.

3) In-Situ Fluorescent Mineral Prospecting – EVA was successful with several samples obtained. Further evaluation will be done in Hab in a controlled dark room and compared against reference materials.

4) MDRS Mapping – Nothing further to report.

5) MDRS Communications – No new developments on this project today.

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Operations Report – December 3rd

Crew 216 Operations Report 03 Dec-19
SOL: 9
Name of person filing report: Mike Lawson
Non-nominal systems: NA
Generator: run
Hours run: 11.6
From what time last night: 1925
To what time this morning: 0657
List any additional daytime hours when the generator was run: N/A Solar— SOC % (Before generator is run at night: 59 %
Diesel Reading – 35
Station Propane Reading – 53
Ethanol Free Gasoline: N/A
Water (loft tank) (gal): 47
Water Meter (units): 1464585
Water (static tank) (gal): 236
Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Water in Green Hab (gal): 251
Water in Science Dome (gal): 0
Toilet tank emptied: no
Deimos rover used: no
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging:
Sojourner rover used:
Hours:
Beginning charge:
Ending charge:
Currently charging:
Spirit rover used: yes x 2
Hours: 115.8; 116
Beginning charge: (Before EVA): 100; 100
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): 81%; 79% Currently charging:
Opportunity rover used: no
Hours: 68.7
Beginning charge: 100
Ending charge: 100
Currently charging: yes
Curiosity rover used: yes x 2
Hours: 120.8; 121
Beginning charge: 100; 100
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before charging): 77%; 85% Currently charging: yes
Notes on rovers: Opportunity to be moved 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:
HabCar used and why, where?
CrewCar used and why, where?
General notes and comments: EVA to Kissing Camel Ridge, rehearsal and prep for afternoon low light
EVA. UV mineral survey sites identified. Low light EVA provided proof of concept, samples collected for further analysis.
Summary of internet: No serious issues.
Summary of suits and radios: No issues.
Summary of Hab operations: Routine maintenance and housekeeping tasks. New hot water tank installation caused an electrical problem with the generator; HW system shut down at the direction of the Director; system later repaired and switched to propane.
Summary of GreenHab operations: routine watering.
Summary of Science Dome operations: Gypsum processing near final stage. Summary of RAM operations: RAM Rover power charging stations inop, electrical issues remain unresolved.
Summary of any observatory issues: NA
Summary of health and safety issues: NA
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: 2 bag NB, 1 bag B type trash in the rear airlock.

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Commander Report – December 3rd

Crew 216 Commander Report 03-DEC-2019
Sol: 9
Summary Title: A major accomplishment
Author: Marc Levesque
Crew 216 completed a long awaited survey of radioactive ores and minerals using an ultraviolet (UV) light source in support of Mike’s project. As he noted in his project plan, Martian colonists will have to exploit local resources to survive and thrive on Mars, and UV searches can identify possible sources of rare-earth ores, radioactive ores, and other useful minerals, such as industrial gemstones for cutting, polishing, and abrasive processes. Traditional rock sampling, either by chipping rock faces or cone and quartering, would net only small samples (kilogram or smaller scale). An in-situ UV search of a rock-face or a gravel deposit can rapidly scan many tons of material in a matter of minutes. If a target “lights up,” it can then be sampled for further analysis in the Hab. The timing of this activity comes at an optimal time, as the crew’s time on station is rapidly diminishing with only three more sols left on the mission.

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Sol Summary – December 3rd

Crew 216 Sol Summary Report 03-DEC-19
Sol: 9
Summary Title: Ore and mineral survey project
Author: Marc Levesque
Mission Status: Active
Sol Activity Summary: Two EVAs were conducted in support of a radioactive ore and mineral survey. In the morning, Mike, Evgenia, and Rich conducted a reconnaissance of the area around Robert’s Rock Garden to identity optimal sites for the evening EVA. The second EVA team of Rich, Andrew and Mike then undertook the survey using an ultraviolet light source in shortwave UV mode.
Look Ahead Plan: Two EVAs are planned. One is to continue filming for Evgenia’s project at Phobos Peak. The second, weather permitting, is to set up a radio repeater to attempt an amateur radio contact with the International Space Station that will be directly overhead the MDRS in the early afternoon.
Anomalies in work: N/A.
Weather: Clear and cold.
Crew Physical Status: Healthy
EVAs: To Robert’s Rock Garden (twice).
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary Report, Commander Report, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Research Report, EVA Report, Astronomy Report, and Photos.
Support Requested: None

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EVA Report #10 – December 2nd

Crew 216 EVA Report 02-Dec-2019
EVA # 10
Author: Whittle

Purpose of EVA: Climb to summit of North Ridge to determine accessible route and identify site for potential repeater site.

Start time: 0830
End time: 1000

Narrative: Crew left Hab on foot. Arrived at North Ridge. Climbed high point on North Ridge at grid 12 S 0518464 4251538. The route taken was via the South West ridge. Time of day was ideal as ground was frozen (and only slightly thawed on decent). Would potentially be hazardous later in the day. Excellent rebroadcast location on top of the ridge. Marked on GPS, along with track of route up (available on request). Fogging was an issue on climb. In visual contact with Hab at all times. Returned to Hab via same route.

Destination: North Ridge
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12 S 0518464 4251538.

Participants: Whittle, Kennedy, Levesque

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) Walk to North Ridge from Hab
2) Ascend highpoint at 12 S 0518464 4251538 via South West ridge
3) Return to Hab via same route

Mode of travel: Walk

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EVA Report – December 2nd

Crew 216 EVA Report 02-Dec-2019
EVA # 11
Author: Kennedy
Purpose of EVA: Gather footage for education (Ho) and documentary (Alexandrova) from dinosaur quarry site.

Start time for EVA: 1330
End time for EVA: 1615

Narrative: Crew left airlock at approx 1335 and left on rovers Spirit and Curiosity, both registering at 100% battery. Road was quite muddy in spots but very manageable. This site is the greatest distance we have yet traveled, as such we minimized excessive accelerations to maximize battery life. We arrived at the parking area for the dinosaur quarry with 62% and 63% battery on our rovers. We examined the site, the quarry has been covered in. Dirt this time of year so nothing to note. We traveled along the ridge to the overlook at 12s 0518250 and 4256590. Michael set up his drone and did aerial photos of the crew. Evgenia used her tripod and took several shots. The canyon had a very distinct shape and rock characteristic that is unique from our other sites. We were quite happy with the outcome of the EVA and feel like we got excellent footage. We returned to our vehicles at 1530 and returned to the airlock in the Hab at 1615.

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12 S 0518400 4255800.

EVA Participants: Kennedy, Alexandrova, Ho

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) North from Hab to 12 S 0518400 4255800 via Cow Dung Road
2) Explore quarry site and collect footage
3) Return to Hab via same route

Mode of travel: Rover
Vehicles used: Curiosity, Spirit

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