Author: jburk

Posted on

Operations Report – Nov 8th

Crew 214 Operations Report 8-11-2019

SOL: 12

Name of person filing report: Andrew Wheeler

Non-nominal systems: Opportunity, Suit 10

Notes on non-nominal systems: Opportunity brakes do not work, Suit 10 is not functioning

Generator: run

Hours run: 13h 45m

From what time last night: 1745

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): 76%

Diesel Reading – 55%

Station Propane Reading – 77%

Ethanol Free Gasoline: N/A

Water (loft tank): 20 gallons

Water Meter: 1456346 units

Water (static tank): 332 gallons

Static to Loft Pump used – no

Water in Green Hab: 225 gallons

Water in Science Dome: 0 gallons

Toilet tank emptied: yes

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: no

Hours: 108.8

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: no

Hours: 114.7

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? HabCar returned from service in Bicknell.

CrewCar used and why, where? CrewCar returned from service in Bicknell.

General notes and comments: N/A

Summary of internet: Functional

Summary of suits and radios: Nominal

Summary of Hab operations: All systems nominal

Summary of GreenHab operations: Atmospheric equalization to the green hab was carried out during the day, plants were watered. Additional seeds were catalogued in preparation for planting. GreenHab heater turned on automatically at 1700.

Summary of Science Dome operations: All systems nominal. Sample processing and experiments completed. All equipment used has been cleaned and returned to storage. Unused samples for ongoing experiments by Crew 215 placed in storage.

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: Loft tank to be depleted to allow cleaning during crew changeover. Opportunity rover fully charged, however, the battery light is flashing and there is a bubbling sound coming from where the battery is located. It has been unplugged as a precaution.

Posted on

Journalist Report – Nov 8th

Journalist Report Nov 8

Journalist: Sandy Dance

Crew 214 Sol 12 Journalist Report

by Sandy Dance

We’ve done the EVAs, we’ve done the science, its all over now bar the shouting! Well, actually the cleaning! Yes, we spent the morning vacuuming, mopping, inventoring, and general tidying up! Otherwise its all pretty quiet today.

Last night we had great success! Using the bread maker to make pizza dough, we then used the brand new pizza pan to create a remarkably genuine pizza using the dehydrated tomato, capsicum and cheese, and spam, salmon, and herbs. Probably one of our best evening meals so far!

It has been really interesting exploring how to do field science under the restrictions of wearing space suits, communicating by radio and commuting to the field by electric rover. The other important aspect is how to live in a small group under very constraining circumstances, eating a quite restricted diet of long life foods, and remaining functional. Albeit our 2 or 4 weeks is quite short compared with the 2 or 3 years of an actual mission. In summary I think what we are doing here can genuinly contribute to understanding what will be required on Mars itself!

Its been a great two weeks, we’ve learnt a lot. I’ll never look up and see Mars the same again!

Posted on

Science Report Nov 8th

Crew 214 Science Report 8 November 2019

SOL: 12

Crew 214 – Expedition Boomerang Crew

Submitted by Science Officer Andrew Wheeler

Science Operations: No scheduled experimentation was carried out during the day. All micrometeorite samples collected during the rotation have been packaged and are awaiting dispatch to the Principle Investigator. All unused gypsum and regolith samples have been placed in storage awaiting use by Crew 215.

Green Hab: Access through the tunnel between the main hab and the green hab has again been opened for atmospheric equalization. Plants were watered by the Outpost crew. Additional seeds have been provided for sowing of further varieties.

Science Dome: Cleaned and tidied for Crew 215.

Closed Loop Food Waste Study: The final day of this study was concluded with the day’s waste for Sol 12 being: 28 grams; consisting of 99 calories, 2g fat, >1g saturated fat, 259mg sodium, 17g carbohydrates, 3g fibre, 3g sugar, 7g protein. For the entire 13-day rotation in sim, over 880g of food and nearly 4000 calories were was wasted at a rate of approximately 7g of food per person per day. Carbohydrates contributed 63% of total calories wasted with fat and protein contributing 20% and and 17% respectively.

EVA: No EVAs were performed.

EVA Suit Maintenance: Suit 10 and Suit 5 (helmet) remain unusable.

Additional Activities: N/A

Posted on

Sol Summary Report Nov 8th

Sol:12

Summary Title: Final Day on Mars

Author’s name: Guy Murphy

Mission Status: Final day in full simulation mode before waking up on Earth again tomorrow morning.

Sol Activity Summary: Today was dedicated to cleaning the campus infrastructure, including both levels of the Hab, the Science Dome and the RAM. Dianne completed her food waste data collection in evening. 3 cooked meals were prepared today.

Look Ahead Plan: Changeover to Crew 215 will occur tomorrow, with 4 new crew members arriving, and 2 departing on Sunday.

Anomalies in work: None

Weather: Another sunny, clear day on Mars

Crew Physical Status: Crew in excellent health.

EVA: None undertaken

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalists Report, Greenhab Report, Science Report,

Operations Reports, Photos.

Support Requested: None

Posted on

Sol Summary – Nov 6th

Sol:10
Summary Title: Water from Stone
Author’s name: Guy Murphy

Mission Status: Active.

Sol Activity Summary: Today Andrew succeeded in extracting water from gypsum crystals in the Science Dome for the first time this mission. Collection of samples for the micro-meteorite study continued during the morning EVA. Various Hab maintenance tasks were undertaken. 3 cooked meals were prepared, with Sandy baking a second loaf of bread.
Look Ahead Plan: We hope to complete the micro-meteorite sample collection from the active sample site by Friday. We are also planning the checkout process for our crew members who are leaving.

Anomalies in work: Broke sim briefly at around 4 pm to speak with 2 unexpected visitors in the hab environs, who were in fact lost.

Weather: Clear sunny day, no precipitation.

Crew Physical Status: Crew continues to be in good health.

EVA: Successfully completed.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA Report, Journalists Report, Science Report, Greenhab Report, Operations Reports, Photos.

Support Requested: None.

Posted on

Science Report – Nov 6th

Crew 214 Science Report 6 November 2019
SOL: 10
Crew 214 Ð Expedition Boomerang Crew
Submitted by Science Officer Andrew Wheeler

Science Operations: The seventh scientific EVA for the mission saw us return to Tank Wash #2 to collect 23 samples from the micrometeorite grid. Four of these had been compromised and it remains to be seen how this will affect the study. 64% of the plots have now been sampled.

With the disappointing failure of the regolith heater prior to arrival at MDRS, a modified plan to demonstrate water extraction was devised. Instead of an in situ test of the device, the gypsum and gypsiferous soil samples collected yesterday would undergo the process in the Science Lab. After documenting the samples, 6 small subsamples of ground gypsum were heated. Within minutes of each subsample being heated, water vapour was observed and video recorded. Further testing of the gypsiferous soil will be attempted tomorrow.

Green Hab: Access through the tunnel between the main hab and the green hab has again been opened for atmospheric equalization. The plants were watered by the Outpost crew.
Science Dome: Samples returned from yesterday’s EVA were processed and experimental procedures commenced.

Closed Loop Food Waste Study: The day’s waste for Sol 10 is: 51 grams; consisting of 175 calories, 4g fat, 2g saturated fat, 328mg sodium, 26g carbohydrates, 3g fibre, 8g sugar, 10g protein.

EVA: Preparations for finalizing the micrometeorite sampling experiment were undertaken.

EVA Suit Maintenance: Nominal

Additional Activities: Photographs were taken of the compromised micrometeorite sampling grid.

Posted on

EVA Report – Nov 6th

Crew 214 EVA Report 06-11-2019
EVA #9
Author: Guy Murphy

Purpose of EVA: Geological Sampling

Start time: 0930
End time: 1200

Narrative: The ninth EVA for science saw us returning to the Tank Wash location #2 at 518477E 4253767N where we continued sampling the 1m x 1m plots for micrometeorites. The EVA allowed us to collect 23 samples. We anticipate 2 x normal length or possibly 1 x longer duration EVAs will complete this sampling program. We have now completed 64% of the grid, which included 4 grid squared compromised by footprints.

Destination: Drove from the hab along Cow Dung Road to Tank Wash and then returned to the hab.
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 518477E 4253767N
Participants: Guy Murphy, Sandy Dance
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road to Tank Wash
Mode of travel: Spirit Rover, Curiosity Rover

Posted on

Operations Report – Nov 6th

Crew 214 Operations Report 6-11-2019
SOL: 10
Name of person filing report: Andrew Wheeler

Non-nominal systems: Opportunity, Suit 10

Notes on non-nominal systems: Opportunity brakes do not work, Suit 10 is not functioning

Generator: run
Hours run: 12h 40m
From what time last night: 1920
To what time this morning: 0800
List any additional daytime hours when the generator was run: N/A

Solar— SOC % (Before generator is run at night): 68%
Diesel Reading – 60%
Station Propane Reading – 80%
Ethanol Free Gasoline: N/A

Water (loft tank): 37 gallons
Water Meter: 1455889 units
Water (static tank): 223 gallons
Static to Loft Pump used – no
Water in Green Hab: 225 gallons
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: 108.4
Beginning charge: (Before EVA): 100%
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): 66%
Currently charging: yes

Opportunity rover used: no
Hours: 65.5
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: yes

Curiosity rover used: yes
Hours: 114.3
Beginning charge: (Before EVA) : 100%
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before charging): 74%
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? N/A
CrewCar used and why, where? N/A

General notes and comments: The generator failed to recharge the batteries during the night.

Summary of internet: Functional
Summary of suits and radios: Nominal
Summary of Hab operations: All systems nominal
Summary of GreenHab operations: Atmospheric equalization to the green hab was carried out during the day, plants were watered. 6 bags of soil obtained, which will be delivered to the Greenhab tomorrow.
Summary of Science Dome operations: All systems nominal. Sample processing following EVA was carried out and heating demonstration of hydrated minerals carried out.
Summary of RAM operations: Not used
Summary of any observatory issues: N/A
Summary of health and safety issues: All crew healthy
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: N/A

Posted on

Greenhab Report – Nov 6th

Crew 214 GreenHab Report 6-Nov-2019
GreenHab Officer: Guy Murphy

Environmental control: Door left open for ventilation during the afternoon then reclosed.
Average temperatures: –
Hours of supplemental light: Automatic system
Daily water usage for crops: Existing plantings watered with 24 litres (3x blue watering can).
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes: N/A
Water in Blue Tank _____ gallons
Time(s) of watering for crops: 3 pm.
Changes to crops: N/A

Narrative: Apart from watering the plants, the only work undertaken in the Greenhab today was trimming of dead material from the plants including dead leaves, stalks.

Established plants introduced to Greenhab 04/11/2019

[3x] strawberry plants (Everbearing), in a medium metal planter
[2x] small Aloe Vera, in a 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
Harvest: None
Support/supplies needed: N/A

Copyright © The Mars Society. All rights reserved. | Main Site