Category: Sol Summary

Sol: 02
Summary Title: “Day Two, Seems Like Home”
Author’s name: Roger Gilbertson
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: The morning was spent preparing and carrying out various individual projects. Cameras and equipment were setup for the afternoon EVA focusing on LIDAR and NeRF scanning. Science lab preparations continued for start of bacterial growth as soon as the pH meter arrives. Soil samples collected on EVA 2 were analyzed by crushing, sifting, then applying HCl and NaOH to small samples. Neither sample appeared to contain any appreciable amount of carbonates. GreenHab operations, planting and watering, continued with encouraging plant growth noticed.
A daily timeline was discussed and written up to streamline evening meal preparation and clean-up, to allow for more efficient use of the daily communications window, and earlier quiet and bed times. A step-by-step list was drafted for preparing, and returning from EVA. This includes using the three stations in the main downstairs room to setup each suit system in advance.
The afternoon EVA 3 departed about 30 minutes late and unfortunately the crew “assumed" a 30 minute extension without specifically requesting one from Mission Support. The EVA drove south on Cow Dung Road, noting a rapid drop in both vehicle’s state of charge. Communications became intermittent due to increasing distance from the repeater. One EVA crew member’s radio seemed to stop working, so they resorted to remaining close together in order to use gestures and shouting. CapCom was not notified of the radio problem until after the end of EVA, due to distance. The crew returned to the habitat at precisely 4:30 and entered the airlock at 4:35. Photos, documentary video, and 3D scans were successfully captured during the EVA. The crew will review the EVA requirements and communication protocols in the evening.
Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow afternoon we plan for an EVA to collect soil samples in support of science started by a previous MDRS mission.
Anomalies in work: none
Weather: nominal
Crew Physical Status: nominal
EVA: EVA 3 completed today, request for EVA 4 submitted for tomorrow
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist report, Photos, Operations report, Green Hab report, EVA 3 Summary, EVA 4 Request.
Support Requested: longest paint pole available to be attached to a window cleaning squeegee

Crew 286 Sol 04 Summary Report 16-NOV-2023

Sol: 04

Summary Title: “And Then There Were Eight.”

Author’s name: Roger Gilbertson

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary: In the science dome the bacterial growth experiment continues and appears on-track. Samples were taken and tested, and optical density doubled in 12 hours, indicating nominal growth. Plaster mold creation was started in the RAM, with the intention of demonstrating the use of in-situ resources (local gypsum for plaster), in support of metal component casting.

Just after 9 AM we welcomed our visiting photojournalists, Andrea and Caleb, who will be with us for four nights. We helped bring their equipment up from the rear airlock, then oriented them to the facility and its operations. We had a group lunch to welcome them.

Afternoon EVA. With eight people now in the habitat, we were able to include Hugo, our filmmaker, on to the EVA crew allowing for our first 4-person excursion. Preparations went smoothly and the four astronauts exited the airlock at the appointed time. Our visiting journalists observed the process of suiting up, using the radios, and conducting the EVA, in preparation for their joining an EVA tomorrow. All four astronauts and their equipment fit into the airlock, and they exited the airlock on time.

Phase 1 of the EVA involved the full team to wash the exteriors of the windows on habitat and science dome. A special extra-long squeegee was prepared from available components, and loaded into the airlock in two parts. A bottle of special Mars window washing fluid was also prepared. Upon exiting, the crew assembled the pole.

The first test wash was performed on the exterior of the airlock window. The squeegee’s sponge side was moistened from the fluid bottle, then raised up and moved over the window surface. Then the wiper blade side was used to remove the fluid. A cloth was used to wipe the edges. Then the smaller habitat windows on the lower floor were cleaned. In future, a smaller width squeegee would be helpful for these.

The upper floor windows proved more challenging. The highest ones were out of reach, even with the long pole. The round window above the airlock could be reached from the porch. As expected, the spacesuits made moving the squeegee over the high window difficult. One astronaut moved it, while the other observed from a bit further away, and provided feedback and directions. Our improved radio communications skills helped. In the end, the triple-pane windows contain a lot of dust on the inner surfaces, which is inaccessible, so they are less than 100 percent clean.

The squeegee team moved their attention to the science dome windows. Being at eye level allowed full and proper cleaning. The science dome windows now have excellent clarity.

We then proceeded to Phase 2. Lizzy and Groucho began LIDAR scanning and soil sampling in the habitat yard, and then along the stream bed to the east of the science dome. Gee and Hugo walked to the north of the observatory dome and conducted a memorial service for founding member of the Belgian Mars Society, Étienne Lefebvre, who passed away recently.

During the EVA, the visiting photographers documented the activities from within the habitat, the science dome, and observatory dome area.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow the science program will continue with newly arrived innocula and freshly generated hydrogen. EVA training will be given to the visiting photographers, and they will be taken on an afternoon EVA to Marble Ritual. Processing of LIDAR images and samples will continue. Production of metal casting molds will continue.

Anomalies in work: none
Weather: nominal

Crew Physical Status: nominal

EVA: EVA 4 completed, request for EVA 5 submitted for tomorrow

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist report, Photos, Operations report, Green Hab report, EVA 4 Summary, EVA 5 Request.

Support Requested: As previously requested, internet access at 6 AM to observe the Starship test launch (if it is still “go”)

Crew 286 Sol 05 Summary Report 17-NOV-2023

Sol: 05

Summary Title: “Visiting Marble Ritual with Visitors.”

Author’s name: Roger Gilbertson

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary: The science dome bacterial growth experiment is showing excellent growth – essentially doubling in 24 hours. In the RAM, plaster mold fabrication continued with clean-up of the first half cast yesterday.

We continued EVA and Comms training for our visiting photojournalists, Andrea and Caleb, then conducted them on a two-rover, four-person EVA to Marble Ritual. They captured images from the surface and some of the hills, then we returned to the Habitat and captured a few more images near the Observatory dome as shadows lengthened prior to sunset. EVA finished at the planned time of 4:30 PM.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow the science program will continue to monitor growth. We plan a two-person EVA in the vicinity of the habitat to LIDAR scan and scout locations for an outdoor Martian music performance.

Anomalies in work: none
Weather: nominal

Crew Physical Status: nominal

EVA: EVA 5 completed, request for EVA 6 submitted for tomorrow

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist report, Photos, Operations report, Green Hab report, EVA 5 Summary, EVA 6 Request.

Support Requested: Internet access tomorrow morning at 6 AM to observe the Starship test launch from Texas on Earth.

Sol: 01
Summary Title: “First Day, First EVAs”
Author’s name: Roger Gilbertson
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: We completed EVA training in the early morning, after a crew meeting. We conducted a 3-person EVA-1 in the morning, which proved to take more time than anticipated, due to “learning curve”. Photo, video, 360 video, and drone aerial video were successfully captured. A small tripod was inadvertently dropped during the EVA.
In the afternoon, preparation for EVA-2 went more smoothly, and a patterned search for the missing small tripod was mounted. The tripod was successfully located and retrieved. Documentary footage was captured.
On both missions, short periods of mindful appreciation were conducted, in recognition of our amazing experiences here, and our enjoyable and growing team.
Inside the hab, we are conducting labeling operations, and preparing for science experiments was done in the chemical hood. Test of hydrogen production to be conducted this evening.
Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow we plan to conduct two more EVAs, one to collect soil samples in support of a previous MDRS mission.
Anomalies in work: none
Weather: nominal
Crew Physical Status: nominal
EVA: EVA 1 and 2 completed today, requests for EVA 3 and 4 submitted for tomorrow
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist report, Photos, Operations report, Green Hab report, EVA 1 Summary, EVA 2 Summary, EVA 3 Request, EVA 4 Request.
Support Requested: We are hoping for the arrival of two FedEx packages tomorrow.

Sol: 12
Summary Title: Last day on Mars
Author’s name: David Mateus
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: The crew’s morning began at 7 a.m. with breakfast, after which they geared up for their final Extravehicular Activity (EVA). Departing for Hab Ridge at 9 a.m., the EVA #10 team embarked on exploration, capturing photographs and videos, and conducting the final test of the rescue project. They took a moment to say goodbye to the Martian landscape, appreciating one of the most stunning panoramas from the crest of the ridge.
Back at the habitat, the day proceeded with the team diligently composing their conclusive research reports and tidying up the Hab in anticipation of the arrival of the next team of explorers.
A note of gratitude to Mars for being our hospitable abode over these past weeks.
Look Ahead Plan: Leaving for Grand Junction tomorrow after checkout.
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Clear skies
Crew Physical Status: Nominal.
EVA: Hab Ridge
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist report, Photos, Operations report, Green Hab report, EVA #10 Report, Astronomy report, mission summary.
Support Requested: Nominal

Sol: 11
Summary Title: Last Views of Mars
Author’s name: David Mateus
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: The team initiated their day at 8 a.m., having breakfast, followed by some work on the projects, lunch, and the preparation of the EVA. The EVA #9 team left for Hab Ridge at 1 p.m. They explored, took some pictures and videos with the drone from the top of the ridge, created a 2D map of the pathway, and said goodbye to Mars, looking at one of the most beautiful views on Mars.
The crew continued the day at the hab, working on the individual projects and writing the final research reports.
Look Ahead Plan: Go to the top of Hab Ridge and start the preparation of the checkout.
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Clear skies
Crew Physical Status: Nominal.
EVA: Hab Ridge
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist report, Photos, Operations report, Green Hab report, EVA #9 Report, EVA #10 request, Astronomy report.
Support Requested: None

Sol: 9
Summary Title: Visiting more canyons.
Author’s name: David Mateus
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: The team initiated their Martian day at 7 a.m. with a Colombian breakfast, “calentao”, followed by the preparation of the EVA. The EVA #7 team left for Tharsis Montes at 9 a.m., they explored the Canyon located there, and when the crew at the hab was about to launch the rescue simulation, the winds increased, so the flight of the drone was canceled, the EVA team came back to the hab. The winds kept increasing, which scrubbed the EVA # 8.
The crew continued the day at the hab, planting microgreens and radish at the greenhab, and working on the individual projects.
Look Ahead Plan: Revisit Tharsis Montes to 3d map the Canyon
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Windy
Crew Physical Status: Nominal.
EVA Tharsis Montes
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist report, Photos, Operations report, Green Hab report, Astronomy report, EVA #7 Report, EVA #8 request.
Support Requested: none

Sol: 10
Summary Title: Mapping the Third Canyon
Author’s name: David Mateus
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: The team initiated their day at 7 a.m., having breakfast, followed by the preparation of the EVA. The EVA #8 team left for Cowboy Corner at 9 a.m., explored the Canyon and flew a drone to create an orthomosaic, then the EVA team returned to the hab.
The crew continued the day at the hab, working on the individual projects and starting the final research reports.
Look Ahead Plan: Go to the top of Hab Ridge
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Clear skies, a little bit windy
Crew Physical Status: Nominal.
EVA: Canyon between Cowboy Corner and Tharsis Montes
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist report, Photos, Operations report, Green Hab report, EVA #8 Report, EVA #9 request.
Support Requested: Pick up the trash.

Crew 285 Sol Summary Report 05-11-2023
Sol: 7
Summary Title: Returning to “El Dorado”
Author’s name: David Mateus
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: The crew started the day at 7 a.m. to have breakfast and prepare the first EVA. At 9 a.m., the first team left for “El Dorado,” a Canyon that was explored and named by a previous Hispanic Crew. We returned to this place to recognize and not forget the legacy of past “Martians”; this team overflew “El Dorado” to take images, create a 3D model for future explorations, and take data for some of our projects. The first EVA team arrived at noon. The crew ate lunch and started preparing the second team that left at 1:30 p.m. back to “El Dorado”.
Look Ahead Plan: Process the data taken during the EVAs
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Partly cloudy
Crew Physical Status: Nominal.
EVA: We created a 3D model of the explored Canyon and simulated the rescue protocol with a drone
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist report, Photos, Operations report, Green Hab report, Astronomy report, EVA #5 Report, EVA #6 Report.
Support Requested: Modify the Facebook post, posted on November 3rd, that includes a picture of the Pleiades, which is different from the one our crew astronomer sent. Also, use the name “Hispanics” instead of “Latam” to refer to our crew in media posts.

Crew 285 Sol Summary Report 06-11-2023
Sol: 8
Summary Title: Resting Day
Author’s name: David Mateus
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: The team initiated their Martian day at 9 a.m. with an inaugural breakfast followed by the first shower on the Red Planet. Each member remained dedicated to their assignments. Yet, they also prioritized rest to recuperate from the physical toll of the recent extravehicular activities, ensuring they were prepared for the following day’s endeavors.
Look Ahead Plan: Visit Tharsis Montes
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Partly cloudy and Windy
Crew Physical Status: Nominal.
EVA: None today. Requesting EVAs to Tharsis Montes
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist report, Photos, Operations report, Green Hab report, Astronomy report, EVA #7 Request, EVA #8 Request.
Support Requested: none