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November 23, 2019November 24, 2019

Operations Report 23Nov2019

Crew 216 Operations Report 23-Nov-2019

SOL: -1

Name of person filing report: Shane Usher/Mike Lawson

Non-nominal systems: N/A

Notes on non-nominal systems: N/A

Generator: run

Hours run: 12 h -5 min

From what time last night: 1910

To what time this morning: 0705

List any additional daytime hours when the generator was run: N/A

Solar— SOC % (Before generator is run at night): 72%

Diesel Reading – 45%

Station Propane Reading – 63%

Ethanol Free Gasoline: N/A

Water (loft tank) (gal): 47

Water Meter (units): 1460749

Water (static tank) (gal): 500

Static to Loft Pump used – yes

Water in Green Hab (gal): 225.7

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: no

Hours: 112.7

Beginning charge: (Before EVA): 100%

Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): 100%

Currently charging: yes

Opportunity rover used: no

Hours: 69

Beginning charge: 100%

Ending charge: 100%

Currently charging: yes

Curiosity rover used: no

Hours: 119.1

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 MDRS

General notes and comments: N/A

Summary of internet: Functional

Summary of suits and radios: N/A

Summary of Hab operations: N/A

Summary of GreenHab operations: Atmospheric equalization to the green hab carried out during the afternoon, plants were watered (16L,4.6 gal). Door closed at 5pm, heater on overnight.

Summary of Science Dome operations: N/A

Summary of RAM operations: N/A

Summary of any observatory issues: Nominal

Summary of health and safety issues: Broken smoke alarm in Greenhab will be replaced.

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

November 23, 2019November 23, 2019

Crew 216 Sol Summary 23Nov2019

[title Sol Summary – November 23rd]

[category sol-summary]

Crew 216 Sol Summary Report 23-NOV-2019

Sol: -1

Summary Title: Change over day

Author’s name: Marc Levesque

Mission Status: Inactive

Sol Activity Summary: Today was a hand over day with Crew 215 who introduced our crew to MDRS and its systems. We have learned engineering procedures, identified EVA locations, GreenHab operations, inquired about rover operations, but tomorrow is when all the familiarizations will be carried out.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow we will be running through Science Dome operations, GreenHab operations, RAM operations, EVA procedures and equipment, rover operations, and familiarization of the Hab operations, including cooking, cleaning, and maintenance.

Anomalies in work: N/A.

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

Crew Physical Status: Healthy

EVA: N/A

Reports to be file: Sol Summary Report, Operations Report

Support Requested: N/A

November 22, 2019November 23, 2019

Sol Summary – November 22th

Crew 215 Sol Summary Report 22-NOV-2019
Sol: 12
Summary Title: Final Day on Mars
Author’s name: Andrew Wheeler
Mission Status: Active
Sol Activity Summary: Today we spent our time cleaning and packing in preparation for
our departure and the arrival of Crew 216. Data was sorted and archived, experimental
equipment was dismantled, cleaned and stored and personal items were packed. The last
unused samples were removed from the Science dome, ready to be returned to their
collection locations. After cleaning, it was secured. Likewise, in the Green Hab,
plants were watered and equipment packed away. The hab was cleaned and readied for the
next green thumb to apply tender loving care to the growing crop. The RAM was secured
whilst, in the main hab, the business of living went on. Meals were prepared and
consumed, though with a touch of sadness. This has been an fantastic experience in a
wonderful facility in an amazing environment and it will be difficult to leave. But
leave we must and we will warmly greet the next rotation when they arrive tomorrow.
Look Ahead Plan: Departure from the hab for Crew 215 and welcome to MDRS for Crew 216.
Anomalies in work: N/A
Weather: Cold overnight, clear skies, light winds.
Crew Physical Status: Healthy
EVA: N/A.
Science Dome Operations: N/A
Reports to be file: Sol Summary Report, Operations Report, Green Hab Report, Journalist
Report, Daily Photos.
Support Requested: N/A

November 22, 2019November 23, 2019

Operations Report – November 22th

Crew 215 Operations Report 22-Nov-2019
SOL: 12
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 20 min
From what time last night: 1905
To what time this morning: 0725
List any additional daytime hours when the generator was run: N/A
Solar— SOC % (Before generator is run at night): 70%
Diesel Reading – 45%
Station Propane Reading – 64%
Ethanol Free Gasoline: N/A
Water (loft tank) (gal): 47
Water Meter (units): 1460265
Water (static tank) (gal): 258
Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Water in Green Hab (gal): 229.9
Water in Science Dome (gal): 0
Toilet tank emptied: no
Deimos rover used: no, to be sent away for repairs
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: 111.7
Beginning charge: (Before EVA): 100%
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): 100%
Currently charging: yes
Opportunity rover used: no
Hours: 68
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: yes
Curiosity rover used: no
Hours: 118.1
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: N/A
Summary of Hab operations: N/A
Summary of GreenHab operations: Atmospheric equalization to the green hab carried out
during the afternoon, plants were watered (16L,4.6 gal). Door closed at 5pm, heater on
overnight.
Summary of Science Dome operations: Cleaned up lab and mopped floor.
Summary of RAM operations: Wiped benches and vacuumed floor.
Summary of any observatory issues: Nominal
Summary of health and safety issues: New smoke detector in RAM appears to be defective.
Replaced battery twice but continued to sound alarm at odd times.
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: N/A

November 22, 2019November 23, 2019

GreenHab Report – November 22th

Crew 215 GreenHab – FINAL REPORT 22-11-2019
GreenHab Officer: Guy Murphy
Environmental control: Door left open for ventilation 11am then reclosed 3pm.
Average temperature: 15C (temperature read 3pm)
Hours of supplemental light: Automatic system
Daily water usage for crops: 16 litres (2 full blue watering cans).
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes:
Water in Blue Tank –
Time(s) of watering for crops: 9am, 3pm.
Changes to crops: More snow peas planted in 3 white hanging pots.

The following planted seeds have germinated as of today – oregano, chives, marjoram, lemon balm, basil, thyme, sage, corinader, carrots, radish, spinach (2 species), rocket, tomatoes (2 species), cucumber, onion, snow peas.

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 in12/11/2019 (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.

Seed planted 21/11/2019
1 apple seed (green apple) from a fruit brought to the campus early in the mission.

Seeds Planted 22/11/2019
Snow Peas in 3 hanging pots.

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.

Harvest: None

Support/supplies needed: Bag of rubbish requires removal. Would be desirable for more wire hanging points be installed on roof frame for white IKEA hanging baskets.

The following are some general maintenance recommendations future crew may wish to consider –

The potting mix filled black pots on the wooden stand are for the tomato, pepper & pumpkin seedlings when they are large enough to separate.
Have a strategy in place to deal with gnats if they reappear (check with Shannon). Avoid uncovered stagnant water.
Thin radish, carrots, spinach, rocket and herbs as they grow, given these plants need to be spaced once mature size. Thinned plants can be eaten.
Stagger additional planting of the above so the harvests are ready at different times through the field season.
Take care not to overwater hanging white pots are they have no drainage holes.
Resuse plastic labels by scraping the old writing off with the side of the secateurs.
Fertilise at least once a week as seedlings grow.
The 2 radios in the Greenhab take disposable batteries, not rechargeable. Do not try to recharge.
Do not put pots with drainage holes on white cabinets as they may rust.
Hand pollinate pumpkins once flowering.

November 22, 2019November 23, 2019

Journalist Report – November 22th

Fri 22 Nov Sol 12
by Guy Murphy
Like Mars drying up after the Hesperian, the dark red wet areas and
puddles around the
Hab are receding and the dry paler new crust is taking over. And so we
finish our last
day of Expedition Boomerang in full simulation mode, and prepare to hand
over the
campus to the new incoming crew and move to the next phase of our
travels
As with a real crew on Mars preparing their base for a new mission, we
have been busy
cleaning the interiors of each of the buildings and making sure
everything is in order.
As Greenhab officer, I planted my final batch of seeds, carefully tidied
and swept the
greenhouse and wrote up some guidence notes for the next crew. An
inventory of the Hab
pantry has been forwarded, as well as final reports on the various
campus systems. The
emphasis on crew reporting here reflects a very real need for accurate
ongoing
reportage from the Mars surface if shortages and breakdowns on a distant
world are to
be avoided.
For me, it has been deeply rewarding to return to the MDRS after 16
years. I have
enjoyed introducing a motivated and talented team of people to a Mars
analogue
simulation. I am very impressed at how the campus has evolved. A great
deal of
sustained experiment and thought has gone into many different aspects of
the campus
infrastructure and its operational protocols. The analogue space suits
are very
sophisticated. The MDRS begun as a speculative concept in the early
2000s, and, that it
continues to operate, reflects both the hard work of many people and the
deep value of
the project.
Expedition Boomerang has been the first Australian led MDRS mission. It
has brought
together individuals from across Australia and New Zealand. We have
completed research
projects across various disciplines, and learnt to live and work
together in harmonious
teams in constrained conditions. The MDRS provides a physical platform
in which to
experience the issues associated with deep space exploration. This is
complemented by
the mindset and mental resources crew bring to it. Crews 214 and 215
brought a wide
range of talents to the expedition, and all involved have benefited
greatly from the
experience. We have appreciated the work of Mission Support and the
Outpost crew. We
are sad to leave.
We look forward to meeting and assisting Crew 216 tomorrow.

November 21, 2019November 23, 2019

Daily Photos – November 21st

November 21, 2019November 23, 2019

Journalist Report – November 21st

The white structures of the campus are overlaid on a primordial landscape of pink, grey, orange and white. The Hab accommodates 6 crew in its upper level, but one of the
reasons it feels psychologically comfortable is the views out of the 5 upper level windows. These help us keep in touch with the daily cycle. We don’t worry about the neighbors looking in.

Above the top stair landing facing south is one of two large circular windows. This
looks directly down across a flat parking area in front of the Hab enclosed by mounds
and hillocks to the south and east, where the rovers and other vehicles park and can be
monitored. The RAM can be seen off to the right. This window is located above the main
entry airlock and stairs, though these are not visible from here. Looming above the
adjacent mounds on the distant horizon is Mount Henry. This is the highest landform
visible from the Hab, and has a blueish tinge, now capped by snow.
The second large window in the upper level living space faces east, and is located over
the couch. It overlooks the Greenhab and Science Dome, and also the approach to the
MDRS from the public road heading northwards into the wider adjacent public lands. This
allows us to monitor our EVA’s departing and returning to the campus, and also any
other traffic that may be in the area. A hill on the far side of the road has a
distinctive square rock at the summit and is known as ‘Zubrin’s Head’. The land in that
direction is generally flat, though accommodates large eroded, rounded mounds of
varying sizes and colors. Through this window we enjoy beautiful sunrises.
Two small square windows are located above the kitchen bench. One facing north-east provides a view of the tunnel to the Science Dome and to the Musk Observatory. The separate forms of the second observatory and solar array are also visible. The flat
plain continues north and west, with large hills on the horizon in the far distance,
and medium sized hills with distinctive colored sedimentary striping and curved
silhouettes in the middle distance to the north. We can see the rovers driving off the
north through this window too, and pick up their radios as they return. It was through
this window we saw the flashes of Andrew’s heliopgraph during our tests the first week of the expedition. The small square window above the sink catches a fuller view of the striped hills to the north, with the adjacent section of plain in the foreground.
My stateroom on the far right of the row of 6 is the only one to have a window. Its
square frame floods the room with natural light and allows views of the adjacent low
rise where the Musk Observatory formerly stood. Looming behind this is the side of the escarpment above, topped by a layer of sandstone that was once a seabed, as attested by the surface layer of fossilized shells.
Windows will be prized on Mars.

November 21, 2019November 23, 2019

GreenHab Report – November 21st

Crew 215 GreenHab Report 21-11-2019
GreenHab Officer: Guy Murphy
Environmental control: Door left open for ventilation midday then reclosed 5pm.
Average temperature: 20C (temperature read 3pm)
Hours of supplemental light: Automatic system
Daily water usage for crops: 16 litres (2 full blue watering cans).
Daily water usage for research and/or other purposes:
Water in Blue Tank –
Time(s) of watering for crops: 9am, 3pm.
Changes to crops: 1 green apple seed planted, repotted aloe vera plants. Noted that 3
self seeded tomato plants have appeared in large planter tray, species unknown. (I will
transfer to pots.)

SEASONAL PLANTING HISTORY
Established plants introduced 03/11/2019

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

Seeds Planted in12/11/2019 (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 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.

Seed planted 21/11/2019
1 apple seed (green apple) from a fruit brought to the campus early in the mission.

Other seeds stored in the Greenhab are identified as –

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

Harvest: None

Support/supplies needed: Bag of rubbish requires removal. Would be desirable for more
wire hanging points be installed on roof frame for white IKEA hanging baskets.

November 21, 2019November 23, 2019

Operations Report – November 21st

Crew 215 Operations Report 21-Nov-2019
SOL: 11
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 10 min
From what time last night: 1850
To what time this morning: 0700
List any additional daytime hours when the generator was run: N/A
Solar— SOC % (Before generator is run at night): 69%
Diesel Reading – 45%
Station Propane Reading – 65%
Ethanol Free Gasoline: N/A
Water (loft tank) (gal): 47
Water Meter (units): 1459976
Water (static tank) (gal): 276
Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Water in Green Hab (gal): 234.5
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: no
Hours: 112.7
Beginning charge: (Before EVA): 100%
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): 100%
Currently charging: yes
Opportunity rover used: no
Hours: 69
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: yes
Curiosity rover used: no
Hours: 119.1
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: N/A
Summary of Hab operations: N/A
Summary of GreenHab operations: Atmospheric equalization to the green hab carried out
during the afternoon, plants were watered (16L,4.6 gal). Door closed at 5pm, heater on
overnight.
Summary of Science Dome operations: Gypsum tile synthesis experiments concluded, splint
manufacture conducted.
Summary of RAM operations: N/A
Summary of any observatory issues: Nominal
Summary of health and safety issues: Checklist controlled safety medical drill carried
out.
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: N/A