Category: Operations Report

SOL: #3
Name of person filing report: Rajvi Patel
Non-nominal systems: None
Notes on non-nominal systems: None
ROVERS
Spirit Rover used: Not used
Opportunity rover used: EVA #3 was postponed due to the windy conditions.
Curiosity rover used: EVA #3 was postponed due to the windy conditions.
Perseverance rover used: Not used
General notes on rovers:
Summary of Hab operations: put notes here
WATER USE: 23.2 gallons
Water (static tank): 416.21 gallons
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On
Static tank heater (On or off): On
Toilet tank emptied: Yes
Summary of Internet: Nominal
Summary of suits and radios: Not used
Summary of GreenHab operations: put notes here
WATER USE: 7 gallons
Heater: ON
Supplemental light: 22:00 – 02:00
Harvest: 117g of radish, 23g of Coriander + Basil
Summary of ScienceDome operations: Crew Biologist transferred brought equipment and consumables to the ScienceDome for their project. 140ml of 95% Ethyl Alcohol was used with 60ml of DI water to make 200ml of 70% ethanol for surface sterilization. The fume cabinet was cleaned to make two 5.5ml 1:10 dilutions of brought Flour, SP, and LB media. One of these was kept as a negative control while the other was inoculated with 0.1 grams of gypsum extracted from a larger gypsum crystal from the corner of Brahe Highway and Cow Dung Road from a crew 291 EVA. These were then kept in Oven 1, not turned on, to keep the samples at the internal temperature of 28º C.
Equipment used: Ethanol spray bottle, tweezers, weighing scale (new batteries put in), fume cabinet, cleaning tissues, Oven 1 (not turned on), 100-1000ul pipette, and own pipette tips.
Crew Artist and Journalist used the Science Dome for drawing and painting rock samples for their projects.
Dual split: Heat ON
Summary of RAM operations: The crew Engineer used it to get the tools wire cutter and heavy-duty zip locks to secure locations on the tarp using zip ties. Tools used were wire cutter and heavy-duty zip ties. Used measuring tape to measure the water level. Borrowed another measuring tape for the Crew Biologist’s project in Science Dome.
Now secured
Summary of any observatory issues: None
Summary of health and safety issues: None
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: put notes here
-Most of the locations were secured using heavy-duty zip ties. However, there are some locations (with torn holes for zip ties to go through) that are required to be secured. (Picture 1 and 2). Advice?
-The photo about securing the bottom of the overlapping tarp section mentioned in the last report is also attached below (highlighted in yellow), along with the type of secured arrangement I would like to propose (highlighted in blue). Advice?

SOL: 11
Name of person filing report: Scott Dorrington
Non-nominal systems: None
Notes on non-nominal systems: None
ROVERS EVA 19
Spirit rover used:
Hours: 244.9
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 18%
Currently charging: No
Opportunity rover used:
Hours: 159.5
Beginning charge: 10%
Ending charge: 39%
Currently charging: No
ROVERS EVA 20
Curiosity rover used:
Hours: 283.1
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 41%
Currently charging: No
Perseverance rover used:
Hours: 283.1
Beginning charge: 97%
Ending charge: 36%
Currently charging: No
General notes on rovers:
Spirit got very low upon return. Battery light on dash was flashing. Hypothesis: Spirit is shaded from the morning sun by the Science Dome, so may start colder in the morning than the other rovers, leading to inferior battery performance.
Summary of Hab operations:
WATER USE: 19.65 gallons
Water (static tank): 203.6 gallons (depth 26.5”)
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On
Static tank heater (On or off): On
Toilet tank emptied: yes
Summary of internet: Nominal during comms window
Summary of suits and radios:
Suit #8: Retrieved bolts + nuts left in Hab for suit #8. Tried to fit into charging port, but slightly too big to fit. Located M3 screws + nuts + washers in RAM. Charging port is now secured. Spare screws returned to RAM.
Suit #11: Battery terminal reapplied. Confirm fan runs?
. Back re-screwed in. Screws do not go all the way in, sticking out about 0.5 cm. Left on rack but not charging (only 4 chargers for one-piece suits).
Comms kit #1 radio harness – the Velcro is coming lose. May need to be re-sowed on.
Summary of GreenHab operations:
WATER USE: 6 gallons
Heater: On
Supplemental light: 10pm – 2am
Harvest: None
Summary of ScienceDome operations: Not used
Dual split: Nominal
Summary of RAM operations: Entered to retrieve new weather monitor and screws for suit 8
Summary of any observatory issues: Not used
Summary of health and safety issues: Changed bandages on crew member’s head (reported in yesterday’s report).
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: None

SOL: 12
Name of person filing report: Scott Dorrington
Non-nominal systems: None
Notes on non-nominal systems: None
ROVERS
Spirit rover used: Not used
Opportunity rover used: Not used
Curiosity rover used: Not used
Perseverance rover used: Not used
General notes on rovers:
Summary of Hab operations: put notes here
WATER USE: ??? gallons (water tank filled prior to measurement)
Water (static tank): 360.5 gallons (depth 14.5”)
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On
Static tank heater (On or off): On
Toilet tank emptied: no
Summary of internet: Nominal during comms window
Summary of suits and radios:
Summary of GreenHab operations:
WATER USE: 7 gallons
Heater: On
Supplemental light: 10pm – 2am
Harvest: 5x Tomatoes (36g), 3x peas (9g), 1x cucumber (24g)
Summary of ScienceDome operations: ScienceDome used to test rock for carbonates using vinegar.
Dual split: Nominal
Summary of RAM operations: Tools put away.
Summary of any observatory issues: None
Summary of health and safety issues: None
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support:
None.
Thank you for your support!

Date: 2/4/2024
Name of person filing report: Sergii Iakymov
Reason for Report: Routine
Non-Nominal Systems: Perseverance

Power system:
Solar: Nominal.
SOC Last 24 hours: Max 100%; Min 73%; Avg 85.1%.
VDC Last 24 hours: Max 59.5V; Min 42.61; Avg 51.43V.
Generator run time: 4961.8 hours. Serviced on 01/30/2024, oil changed and air filter changed

Propane Readings:
Station Tank: 75%
Director Tank: 71%
Intern Tank: 80%
Generator Tank: 50%

Water:
Hab Static Tank – 550 gallons
GreenHab – 195 gallons
Outpost tank – 350 gallons
Science Dome – 0 gallons
Septic Tanks emptied: No

Rovers:
Sojourner rover used: No.
Hours: 196.2
Beginning Charge: 100 %
Ending Charge: 100 %
Currently Charging: Yes
Notes on Rovers: Perseverance is not fully charging, inspection will be conducted next week.

ATV: ATV’s Used: None. Nothing to report.

Cars:
Hab Car used and why, where: To Hanksville for supplies. Need to be serviced.
Crew Car used and why, where: To Grand Junction by crew
General notes and comments: N/A.

Summary of Internet: All nominal.
EVA suits and radios:
Suits: All nominal
Comms: All nominal
Campus wide inspection, if action taken, what and why: Weather station replaced
Summary of Hab Operations: UV lamp and quartz sleeve in water filter replaced, timer reset. Main heater safety switch replaced. Forehead thermometer in the first aid kit replaced. Toilet sit replaced.
Summary of GreenHab Operations: Night light installer with remote switch. Fan plugged in with remote switch and automated. Supplemental lights plugged in with remote switch and automated.
Summary of SciDome Operations: All nominal
Summary of Observatories Operations: Solar observatory telescope diagonal has two snapped screws. Repairs pending.
Summary of RAM Operations: All nominal.
Summary of Outpost Operations: Intern trailer heater needs to be picked up from Grand Junction. Intern trailer toilet water module assembly replaced.
Summary of Health and Safety Issues: All nominal.

SOL: 8
Name of person filing report: Scott Dorrington
Non-nominal systems: None
Notes on non-nominal systems: None
ROVERS
Spirit rover used:
Hours: 243.9
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 38%
Currently charging: No
Opportunity rover used:
Hours: 158.3
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 46%
Currently charging: No
Curiosity rover used: Not used
Perseverance rover used: Not used
General notes on rovers: None
Summary of Hab operations:
WATER USE: 26.17 gallons
Water (static tank): 275.53 gallons (21” depth)
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On
Static tank heater (On or off): on
Toilet tank emptied: no
Summary of internet: Nominal during comms window
Summary of suits and radios:
Suit #8 still standing down pending new nuts in charging port. Suit #6 battery was more depleted than others. Charge was 6.75 Volts upon return. It was a long EVA (3 hrs) and the EVA location was rather dusty – could be contributing factors.
Summary of GreenHab operations: put notes here
WATER USE: 6 gallons
Heater: On automatic
Supplemental light: 10pm-2am
Harvest: 2x tomatoes (21 g)
Summary of ScienceDome operations: Not used
Dual split: Nominal
Summary of RAM operations: Not used
Summary of any observatory issues: See astronomy report
Summary of health and safety issues: None. Crew back to full health.
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: None.

SOL: 9
Name of person filing report: Scott Dorrington
Non-nominal systems: None
Notes on non-nominal systems: None
ROVERS EVA 17
Spirit rover used:
Hours: 244.4
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 35%
Currently charging: No
Opportunity rover used:
Hours: 158.9
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 48%
Currently charging: No
ROVERS EVA 15
Curiosity rover used:
Hours: 261.1
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 75%
Currently charging: No
Perseverance rover used:
Hours: 283.0
Beginning charge: 95%
Ending charge: 68%
Currently charging:
General notes on rovers:
Perseverance was a little under-charged this morning. We experienced a power outage that may have been due to the rovers being charging.
Summary of Hab operations:
WATER USE: 22.87 gallons
Water (static tank): 252.66 gallons (depth 22.75”)
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): on
Static tank heater (On or off): on
Toilet tank emptied: yes
Summary of internet: Nominal during comms window
Summary of suits and radios:
Suit #8: Located nuts from RAM, however did not fit screws. Not sure that there are nuts that will fit. Can have another look in RAM tomorrow.
Suit #6: Noted yesterday that the voltage of this suit was rather low after EVA. Mission support suggested a test of running the fan for 1 hour. Starting volts: 13.61 V, end: 6.60 V. Similar numbers to yesterday’s EVA
Suit #7: Fan was noticeably low during afternoon EVA. Compared to other suits upon return and it sounds quieter inside helmet. Noticed some strange voltage measurements following EVA as well. After turning off suit, voltage read around 6.5 V, however voltage slowly increased over the next 10 minutes, leveling out to around 11.85 Volts.
Summary of GreenHab operations:
WATER USE: 10 gallons
Heater: On
Supplemental light: 10pm – 2am
Harvest: 40g kale, 18g arugula, 40g (1x) radish, 37g lettuce
Summary of ScienceDome operations: Not used
Dual split: Nominal
Summary of RAM operations: Entered RAM to locate nuts for suits.
Summary of any observatory issues: See astronomy report
Summary of health and safety issues: None
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: None

SOL: 10
Name of person filing report: Scott Dorrington
Non-nominal systems: None
Notes on non-nominal systems: None
ROVERS
Spirit rover used: Not used
Opportunity rover used: Not used
Curiosity rover used: Not used
Perseverance rover used: Not used
General notes on rovers:
Summary of Hab operations:
WATER USE: 21.15 gallons
Water (static tank): 223.25 gallons (depth 25”)
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): On
Static tank heater (on or off): On
Toilet tank emptied: no
Summary of internet: Nominal during comms window
Summary of suits and radios:
Batteries on suits #6 and #7 were replaced with new ones. Old batteries were labelled and placed with other faulty batteries. Charged batteries for 1 hour after replacement, then ran fans for 1 hour, testing voltage before and after. The voltage on suit 7 is also now stable after discharging.
Suit 6: Start: 13.60 V, End: 10.78 V (after 1 hr running)
Suit 7: Start: 13.08 V, End: 12.38 V (after 1 hr running)
Suit 8: Used nut kit in the RAM to judge the size of the nut. Found it is bigger than M3 and smaller than M4. Likely an imperial measurement.
Suit 11: While inspecting other suits for charging port nuts, I pulled suit 11 off the bottom rack. One of the screws from the back fell to the floor (likely not secured). Opening the back, I discovered the battery cables were not attached to the battery terminals. Not sure if this is deliberate. Left as found. Replaced screws in back, half screwed in – not all the way tightened.
Summary of GreenHab operations:
WATER USE: 9 gallons
Heater: On
Supplemental light: 10pm – 2am
Harvest: None
Summary of ScienceDome operations: Andrew used Science Dome for processing of gypsum discovered during yesterday’s EVA to White Moon. Gypsum was crushed in mortal and pestle and heated on hotplate to extract water. Clare used Science Dome to wash rock samples from previous EVAs. Steve used Science Dome to gather spectral curves of rock samples. Scott observed activities in Science Dome.
Dual split: Nominal
Summary of RAM operations: Entered RAM on several occasions to retrieve and return tools. Used tin snips to cut up a can for gypsum processing. Used socket sets and nut kit to investigate size of nut used for charging port on one-piece EVA suits.
Summary of any observatory issues: See astronomy report
Summary of health and safety issues:
Crew member received graze on head from hitting it on the door frame of the observatory. Bandages applied. Monitoring.
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support:
Advise on state of suit #11. Should the battery terminals be attached and screws inserted.

SOL: 5
Name of person filing report: Scott Dorrington
Non-nominal systems: None
Notes on non-nominal systems: None
ROVERS EVA 9
Spirit rover used:
Hours: 242.9
Beginning charge: 100%
Ending charge: 38%
Currently charging: No
Opportunity rover used:
Hours: 157.1
Beginning charge: 100
Ending charge: 46%
Currently charging: No
Curiosity rover used: Not used
Perseverance rover used: Not used
General notes on rovers: None
Summary of Hab operations:
WATER USE: 22.88 gallons
Water (static tank): 357.22 gallons
Static tank pipe heater (on or off): on
Static tank heater (On or off): on
Toilet tank emptied: no
Summary of internet: Nominal during comms window
Summary of suits and radios:
Suit #8 is still stood down out of commission – nuts missing from charging port. Opened up back of suit to see if nuts are in the bottom of suit. Did not find. Tomorrow, will locate new nuts to secure the charging port.
Summary of GreenHab operations:
WATER USE: 6.5 gallons
Heater: On
Supplemental light: Manually turned off at 9:30am. Returned to automatic control.
Harvest: None
Summary of ScienceDome operations: Not used
Dual split: Nominal
Summary of RAM operations: Entered RAM to retrieve replacement toilet seat
Summary of any observatory issues: None
Summary of health and safety issues: None
Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support:
Thank you for the new toilet seat.

Date: 1/28/2024
Name of person filing report: Sergii Iakymov
Reason for Report: Routine
Non-Nominal Systems: Intern trailer toilet.

Power system:
Solar: Nominal.
SOC Last 24 hours: Max 100%; Min 63%; Avg 74%.
VDC Last 24 hours: Max 59.47V; Min 43.08; Avg 51.17V.
Generator run time: 4864.5 hours. Serviced on 01222024, oil changed.

Propane Readings:
Station Tank: 80%
Director Tank: 81%
Intern Tank: 84%
Generator Tank: 69%

Water:
Hab Static Tank – 331.1 gallons
GreenHab – 131 gallons
Outpost tank – 320 gallons
Science Dome – 0 gallons
Septic Tanks emptied: No

Rovers:
Sojourner rover used: No.
Hours: 196.2
Beginning Charge: 100 %
Ending Charge: 100 %
Currently Charging: Yes
Notes on Rovers: All rovers refilled on 01/25/2024. All rear view mirrors removed from rovers. Three of four mirrors got broken by crews by bumping into them with Eva suits helmets.

ATV: ATV’s Used: None. Nothing to report.

Cars:
Hab Car used and why, where: To Hanksville for supplies. Need to be serviced.
Crew Car used and why, where: To Hanksville for supplies.
General notes and comments: N/A.

Summary of Internet: All nominal.
EVA suits and radios: All nominal.
Campus wide inspection, if action taken, what and why: All nominal.
Summary of Hab Operations: UV lamp in water filter needs to be replaced, pending. Main heater safety switch replacement pending.
Summary of GreenHab Operations: Heater fixed on 10/26/2024. Control board and thermostat wire replaced
Summary of SciDome Operations: All nominal.
Summary of Observatories Operations: Robotic observatory weather stripping has been resealed with new adhesive 01/26/2024.
Summary of RAM Operations: All nominal.
Summary of Outpost Operations: Intern trailer heater needs to be picked up from Grand Junction. Intern trailer toilet water module assembly is leaking, parts ordered.
Summary of Health and Safety Issues: All nominal.

[title Mid-mission Research Report – January 27th]
[category science-report]

Crew 291 – Expedition Boomerang III
Jan 21st – Feb 3rd, 2024
Crew Members:
Commander: Andrew Wheeler
Health and Safety Officer: Steve Hobbs
Crew Scientist: Clare Fletcher
Crew Engineer and Green Hab Officer: Scott Dorrington
Crew Astronomer and Medical support: Rob Hunt
Crew Journalist: Alex Tobal
Crew Projects:
Title: Geological mapping and sensor deploy
Investigators: Andrew Wheeler, Clare Fletcher, Steve Hobbs and Scott Dorrington,
with full-crew participation.
Objectives:The mission objectives are to revisit geologically interesting locations, deploy sensors to characterize mineralogy, locate them in the topography for navigation purposes and characterize the sites for preservation.
Current Status: Two sensors were meant to be deployed and were scheduled for EVA 3. One, a solar logger previously deployed during the FMARS15 mission in July/August 2023, was successfully positioned outside the science dome in view of the panoramic window. The second sensor, an electronic Stevenson Screen with multiple environmental sensors, was unable to be initiated due to circuitry burnout in the secondary battery pack and an, so far untraced, electrical fault in the primary battery pack, has not been deployed at this time.
A robotic rover has been deployed on five occassions to test wheel traction at various slope angles at locations near to and remote from the hab. On two occasions a portable spectrometer was deployed to collect data from various lithologies. There are expected to be more EVAs in support of this project.
The geological boundaries that influence the geomorphology and topography surrounding the MDRS have been visited on six occassions in search of unmapped outcrops of the target rocks and minerals – gypsum, carbonate concretions, fossil beds and horizons containing petrified wood. Previously mapped locations have been revisited and plotted into a GIS for reference by follow on crews. Constraints imposed by the cold weather on the rovers have prevented expeditions to the more remote locations. There are more EVAs planned to support this project.
As part of the geological EVAs, map reading and compass bearings are taken to prominent features that can be viewed from multiple directions. The ability to accurately triangulate position to prominent features is designed to build confidence in non compass navigation as a failsafe/backup to GPS/satellite navigation. More EVAs in support of this project are planned.
EVAs: 11 EVAs have been carried out. EVAs 1 and 2 were training exercises for the whole crew. Three EVAs have been conducted in and around the hab. Three EVAs have been conducted to the south and southeast and three EVAs have been conducted to the north and northeast.
Title: Monitoring Solar activity
Author: Rob Hunt
Objectives: The MDRS solar observatory will be utilized for the daily monitoring of
solar activity.
Current Status: Total cloud cover during the day has prevented the operation of the solar observatory until Sol 6 and this day was spent working through the idiosyncracies.
EVAs: None.
Title: Investigations for establishment of MARS-Oz in Australia.
Author: Alexander Tobal
Objectives: This project is focused on collecting observations of how analogue
astronauts operate under simulated conditions and how the MDRS hab setout
influences operations and if improvements can be incorporated into the MARS-Oz
design.
Current Status: Observations of the activities of the analogue astronauts as they carry out their activities inside and outside the habhave been collated and summarised in a living document and is ongoing.
EVAs: None