Crew Photos – November 1st
Sol Summary – November 1st
Sol:5
Summary Title: About the Science
Author’s name: Guy Murphy
Mission Status: Active.
Sol Activity Summary: Deliveries of both hardware and food supplies arrived today, many thanks to Capcom for arranging these. Today was about the science, which we hope our selection of photographs illustrate. Key milestones were reached in two research projects, with collection of our first magnetic samples from the field as part of the micro-meteorite study and the cataloguing of the remaining food inventory by Dianne McGrath. Two cooked meals prepared today, with a cold breakfast. Routine internal hab cleaning was undertaken during the afternoon.
Look Ahead Plan: We hope to complete a large proportion of our planned micro-meteorite collection tomorrow.
Anomalies in work: None.
Weather: Clear skies all day, no wind, ideal for field work. Crew Physical Status: The crew continue to be in excellent health EVA: Successfully undertaken, see EVA report.
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA Report, Journalists Report, Science Report, Operations Reports, Photos.
Support Requested: Some milk would be appreciated if there are any further incoming deliveries. We do have alternative sources of calcium (including 2 cans dried cheese), so the lack of milk will not be detrimental to bone density for the foreseeable future.
Science Report – November 1st
Crew 214 Science Report 1 November 2019
SOL: 5
Crew 214 Ð Expedition Boomerang Crew
Submitted by Science Officer Andrew Wheeler
Science Operations: The third of the scientific EVAs was scheduled for the afternoon work period. This involved driving to site #2 at Tank Wash and continuing setting out the 100 square metre (100 1m x 1m plots). During the 2 hour EVA, setting out of the grid was completed and the first samples collected. This involved hovering the heavy duty magnet just above the ground surface and systematically ‘sweeping’ it across the 1 square metre of the plot. Two plots were sampled and very fine magnetic particles were recovered from both plots!
On the return to the hab, the Cactus Road #1 site was revisited to allow another crew member an opportunity to operate the heliograph. With line of sight radio communications established, the heliograph was successfully operated and video records collected.
Tabulation of the baseline food stock macro and micronutrients for the waste study is being updated with the arrival of further supplies. Closed Loop Food Waste Study: The day’s waste for Sol 5 is: 108 grams; consisting of 383 calories, 6g fat, 3g saturated fat, 176mg sodium, 53g carbohydrates, 4g fibre, 3g sugar, 24g protein. The bread production errors were turned into tasty crackers/cookies (#nowaste).
Additional Activities: Nil.
Journalist Report – November 1st
1 Nov 2019 Sol 5 Journalist Report
by Sandy Dance
Last night was a very warm night, largely due to the filter in the heater having been changed yesterday, allowing it run far more efficiently. Today is a very normal day, we have settlled into a routine, the various science projects now proceeding apace.
For instance: at breakfast, lunch and dinner, Dianne our nutrition scientist is beavering away studying the total nutrient loss from food waste. Consequently she carefully weighs our dirty dishes and cooking pots, and again after they are clean and finds the difference. Its a remarkably painstaking task, and also requires a lot of data entry. Its really interesting how much food is wasted, in preparation, plate waste and spoilage. So far total waste is 31 gm per person per day. Total calories wasted all up is 400 calories per day for the group! This would be a significant loss on Mars.
The other major science project, the micrometeorite study, had a big step forward this afternoon. Andrew and Dianne went on EVA and finished the 10 metre grid installation, and began the magnetic sweep. They managed the first two squares (2 m^2) and got a lot of magnetic particles. We are cock a hoop with this development, although since the particles are so tiny, its hard to tell whether they are volcanic magnetite or micrometeorites. It requires a microscope to make the distinction: the meteorites should be spherical, the magnetite shards. We await the chance to have a look.
So after a relaxing meal of chicken, kidney beans, rice and vegetables, we settle back for the evening.
Operations Report – November 1st
Crew 214 Operations Report 01-11-2019
SOL: 5
Name of person filing report: David Mateus
Non-nominal systems: Opportunity, suit 10
Notes on non-nominal systems: Oppy brakes do not work, Suit 10 is not charging
Generator: run
Hours run: 14
From what time last night: 17:30
To what time this morning: 7:30
List any additional daytime hours when the generator was run: none
Solar— SOC % (Before generator is run at night): 71%
Diesel Reading –71 %
Station Propane Reading – 85 %
Ethanol Free Gasoline – N/A
Water (loft tank): 17 gallons
Water Meter: 1455145 units
Water (static tank) – 301 gallons
Static to Loft Pump used – No
Water in GreenHab – 150 gallons
Water in ScienceDome: 0 gallons
Toilet tank emptied: yes
Deimos rover used: It is not in the hab
Hours: –
Beginning charge: –
Ending charge: –
Currently charging: No
Sojourner rover used: ASSIGNED TO DIRECTOR
Hours: –
Beginning charge: –
Ending charge: –
Currently charging: –
Spirit rover used: tes
Hours: (before EVA): 106.6 h
Beginning charge: (Before EVA): 100%
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging):50%
Currently charging: Yes
Opportunity rover used: No
Hours: 65.5 h
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 100%
Currently charging: Yes
Curiosity rover used: No
Hours: 112.5
Beginning charge: (Before EVA): 100%
Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging):100%
Currently charging: Yes
Notes on rovers: No
ATV’s Used: (Honda, 300, 350.1, 350.2, 350.3) No
Reason for use: None
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? Used by assistant director to go to town
CrewCar used and why, where? No used
General notes and comments: None
Summary of internet: functional
Summary of suits and radios: used for EVA, Suit 10 is not charging and we need batteries for 6 radios
Summary of Hab operations: All systems are nominal
Summary of GreenHab operations: No used
Summary of ScienceDome operations: All systems are nominal
Summary of RAM operations: No used
Summary of any observatory issues: No used
Summary of health and safety issues: All the crew are healthy
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: We need new batteries for six radios.
EVA Report – November 1st
Crew 214 EVA Report 01-11-2019
EVA # 5
Author: Andrew Wheeler
Purpose of EVA: Geological Sampling
Start time: 1400
End time: 1600
Narrative: The third EVA for science saw us returning to the Tank Wash location #2 at 518477E 4253767N where we continued setting out the 100 square metre (100 1m x 1m plots) sampling grid. Having completed that task, we took our first samples looking for micrometeorites in the evaluation of the micrometeorite flux. 2 plots were sampled and very fine magnetic particles were recovered from both.
On the return to the hab, a revisit to the line of sight from the Cactus Road #1 location at 519570E 4251974N allowed another crew member exposure to the heliograph. With radio communications established and the hab personnel alerted, the heliograph operated as expected and was observed and recorded at the hab.
Destination: Drove from the hab along Cow Dung Road to Tank Wash and then returned to Galileo Road and the junction it has with Cactus Road. Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 518477E 4253767N
Participants: Andrew Wheeler, Dianne McGrath
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road to Tank Wash
Crew Photos – Oct 31st
Photo of the day: photo of day.jpg
Sol Summary – Oct 31st
Sol:4
Summary Title: Halloween Heliograph
Author’s name: Guy Murphy
Mission Status: Active.
Sol Activity Summary: EVA 4 was undertaken this morning to the chosen sample collection site for the micrometeorite study. During the EVA a heliograph was experimentally used to signal the hab from the field. Baseline micro/macro nutrients have been inputted into the food stock database. We completed tying the remaining untied tunnel tarpaulin eye loops to all the tunnels. 3 cooked meals prepared, including a tuna risotto with pesto sauce for dinner with an apple crumble desert. General hab housework duties were undertaken.
Look Ahead Plan: The EVA program will continue for the remainder of the week subject to favourable weather conditions.
Anomalies in work: None.
Weather: After a very cold night, it was another clear, sunny day with no precipitation.
Crew Physical Status: Crew in good health.
EVA: Successfully undertaken, see EVA report.
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA Report, Journalists Report, Science Report, Operations Reports, Photos.
Support Requested: We are still awaiting the delivery of food supplies, the absence of which is beginning to constrain our diet. Several plastic funnels to assist with the reuse of cooking water and several tea towels are also requested.
Science Report – Oct 31st
Crew 214 Science Report 31 October 2019
SOL: 4
Crew 214 – Expedition Boomerang Crew
Submitted by Science Officer Andrew Wheeler
Science Operations: The second of the scientific EVAs was scheduled for the morning work period. This involved driving to site #2 at Tank Wash and establishing a 100 square metre (100 1m x 1m plots) on a relatively undisturbed natural surface. During the 2 hour EVA, the outline of the grid was established and three east-west delineators positioned. The task is incomplete.
A secondary experiment involved testing the magnetism of material brought to the surface at an adjacent anthill. Though it was hypothesized that this material might contaminate the sample plots; there was zero evidence of magnetic material at the surface.
A tertiary experiment was conducted at the Cactus Road #1 site before the return to the hab. With line of sight communication possible, a heliograph was used to demonstrate an emergency communications method should voice contact fail. The demonstration was successful and video records collected.
Tabulation of the baseline food stock macro and micronutrients for the waste study was completed.
Closed Loop Food Waste Study: The day’s waste for Sol 4 is: 229 grams; consisting of 891calories, 15g fat, 9g saturated fat, 1533mg sodium, 126g carbohydrates, 8g fibre, 4g sugar, 42g protein. Waste was significantly larger due to bread production errors. Otherwise, less waste is generally produced at breakfast, with almost all occurring at lunch or dinner, depending on the type of food cooked. The majority is preparation waste with no spoilage waste to date and a small amount of plate waste.
Additional Activities: Reinforcing the coverings for the tunnels continued throughout the day as time became available.
EVA Report – Oct 31st
Crew 214 EVA Report 31-Oct-2019
EVA # 4
Author: Andrew Wheeler
Purpose of EVA: Geological Sampling
Start time: 1000
End time: 1200
Narrative: The second EVA for science saw us traversing to the Tank Wash location #2 at 518477E 4253767N where we commenced setting out the 100 square metre (100 1m x 1m plots) sampling grid.
This location appears to be a relatively undisturbed natural surface that hasn’t undergone recent erosion or weathering. It is sufficiently away from the hab that metallic residue won’t contaminate the surface and appears to be upwind of vehicular and pedestrian activity.
A secondary experiment was a test of material brought to the surface by ants at a nest adjacent to the sampling grid. It was hypothesized that the magnetic material of a terrestrial origin may be present and would contaminate the micrometeorite sample material. Using a small neodymium magnet, it was observed that there was zero magnetic material located on the anthill.
A tertiary experiment was the use of a heliograph as an emergency communications method. There is a line of sight from the Cactus Road #1 location at 519570E 4251974N to the hab. With radio communications established and the hab personnel alerted, the heliograph operated as expected and was observed and recorded at the hab.
Destination: Drove from the hab along Cow Dung Road to Tank Wash and then returned to Galileo Road and the junction it has with Cactus Road.
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 518477E 4253767N
Participants: Andrew Wheeler, Sandy Dance
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road to Tank Wash
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