Category: Sol Summary

Crew 281 Sol Summary Report 22 May 2023
Sol: 8
Summary Title: Hair wash day
Author’s name: Ritupriya Patil (XO) and Megan Kane (Commander)
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary:
EVA:
Today’s EVA was at Pooh’s corner. The crew of 3 drove Spirit and Perseverance rovers and reached the site at 0823 hrs. They captured scanline measurements for the boulders Ana Pires (Crew Scientist) approved at Pooh’s Corner. KC Shasteen helped with the Equotip measurements while Ana gathered the Schmidt hammer data. The crew finished a 5 station long scanline and during their measurements Ritupriya Patil (XO, EVA Lead) deployed the drone for aerial imagery. Detailed vertical images and videos of the scanline were captured to help confirm the weathering grade, discontinuities of the rocks. These images and videos will be used for georeferencing the area around the scanline and for further assessment of the geological region. The objective was achieved right before winds gusted to 27 kmph and the drone was secured.
For lunch Ritu (XO) made tofu Thai curry with white rice. Post lunchtime Ritu and Ana worked on tomorrow’s EVA planning, looking at maps, distance and noting time for each stop over during the 2 person EVA. Then Ritu and KC worked in the RAM to build a drone packaging so it can be securely stored during the travel time in a ready to be deployed configuration. This makes the drone launch much faster and efficient.
Rachel (HSO) checked into OMISS Old Man International Side band Society through the ham radio setup. She is working through troubleshooting the power reception she is having. While Ana worked on closing the set of scanlines and working further on research and synergies with Ritu. KC and Rachel had a hair wash day to clear their heads (get that?!).
In the green hab, Megan (Commander) watered and checked on the plants. KC (Crew Engineer) did routine checks on hab operations – batteries, tunnels, flushed toilet and water levels. Ana cleaned up her robotic scoop in the RAM after a successful mission today.
In the science dome Megan checked on the cacao seeds and made a video recording the changes to the seeds.
For dinner Rachel made stamppotten a mashed potato dish from the Netherland. It rained in the late afternoon and there were storms, but the antenna stayed upright.
Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow we will do a 2-person, long range EVA to the Overlook region. It will be an all-female crew exploring the Martian surface and capturing aerial footage. On our way back we will stop at Pooh’s Corner for images of scanlines that were measured on earlier EVAs.
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Windy
Crew Physical Status: Nominal
EVA: Completed 1 today

Reports to be filed:
Greenhab Report
EVA Report
EVA Request
Ops Report
Journalist Report
PHOTOS!
Photo of the Day

Support Requested:
Mission support is requested in case of storms if the antenna needs to come down or be retrieved.

Crew 281 Sol Summary Report 21 May 2023
Sol: 7
Summary Title: Radio contacts, robotic arm and drone drills
Author’s name: Ritupriya Patil (XO) and Megan Kane (Commander)
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary:
EVA:
Today we did our EVA around the hab with a three-tier objective. First was to test Ana’s (Crew Scientist) Pegasus scoop, a robotic rock sampling device, it passed the testing and has now demonstrated TRL 6. The second objective was to perform a drone test to simulate emergency assistance and deliver a lightweight medical kit to an injured astronaut. This was also successful and Ritupriya (XO, EVA Lead) was able to fly the drone and deliver a 30 grams payload using her DJI Mavic Mini to the astronaut in need during the simulation. This was a 60 m long distance at 10 m altitude covered by the drone and the payload was received in 1 minute and 19 seconds. There will be more drills to iron out some of the kinks in the procedures. The third objective was to do a quick check on the ham radio antenna and ensure there was no damage due to the usual “Martian storms” that hit MDRS in the late afternoons. After inspection there were no issues reported and the antenna survived the high winds.
For lunch KC made fusilli pasta with freeze-dried veggies, black bean burger “meatballs” and alfredo pasta. After that filling lunch, Megan (Commander) tempted us with her freshly baked and piping hot cinnamon rolls which were just scrumptious! We did notice the difference in baking times possibly due to higher altitude!
Post lunchtime lull died soon since we immersed ourselves in mid-mission summary reports and I started my daily reports for our mission. Meanwhile Rachel (HSO) was able to establish contact on the ham radio setup with NR1Z.
In the green hab, Megan (Commander) did some pruning and watered the plants. KC (Crew Engineer) did routine checks on hab operations – batteries, tunnels, toilets and water levels. Ana cleaned up her robotic scoop in the RAM after a successful mission today.
In the science dome it was quiet today, cacao seeds still doing well.
For dinner we had corn tortillas with freeze-dried – guacamole, bean burger filling, beef and some canned tuna. It rained in the late afternoon and there were storms, but the antenna stayed upright.
Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow we will do an EVA for 3 and cover Pooh’s Corner for second scanline measurement at the site and take detailed vertical and diagonal images and videos of the scanline to confirm the weathering grade and discontinuities of the rocks. On our way back we will stop at Marble Ritual for images of scanlines that were measured on earlier EVAs.
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Nominal
Crew Physical Status: Nominal
EVA: Completed 1 today

Reports to be filed:
Greenhab Report
Ops Report
Journalist Report
PHOTOS!
Photo of the Day

Support Requested:
Mission support is requested in case of storms if the antenna needs to come down or be retrieved.

Crew 281 Sol Summary Report 20 May 2023
Sol: 6
Summary Title:
Author’s name: Ritupriya Patil (XO) and Megan Kane (Commander)
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary:
EVA:
First EVA was at the Kissing Camel Ridge. The crew of 3 drove Opportunity and Curiosity rovers and reached the site at 0755 hrs. The first objective was to capture scanline measurements for the boulders Ana Pires (Crew Scientist) approved on the East ridge. KC Shasteen helped with the Equotip measurements while Ana gathered the Schmidt hammer data. After finishing 5 station long scanline. Ritupriya Patil (XO, EVA Lead) set up to deploy the drone. Detailed vertical images and videos of the scanline were captured to help confirm the weathering grade, discontinuities of the rocks. There were also 4 translational drone passes along the scanline that captured the details of the boulders under geophysical analysis. These images and videos will be used for georeferencing the area around the scanline and for further assessment of the geological region.
For the second EVA the crew of 2 erected ham radio antenna to the northwest of the Hab. A coaxial cable was retrieved from where it had been passed through the tunnel wall. The cable length dictated where the station could be installed. It took 3 attempts to find a location where the ground spike could be deployed successfully. Once deployed the ground wire and the mini were attached. This was followed by the antenna and lastly by the coaxial cable. Grounding pole could not be deployed, and the wire was affixed to a rock. The hazard cones were placed, and the crew returned to the hab.
After the ham radio station set up Rachel Jones (HSO) jumped on the radio and established contact with Dan from Govetown, Gorgia, N4MI. This ham radio testing was approved during the Karman line discussion.
In the Greenhab, Megan (Commander) watered the plants and filled the cooler.
The science dome was quiet today, cacao seeds still doing well.
In the RAM, Ritu (XO) worked on her payload carrying harness for tomorrow’s drone flight test. The objective is to test short distance payload drop off for a simulated medical emergency.
For lunch Ritu (XO) made tomato sauce based pasta with mushrooms. And dinner was stir-fried veggies in soy sauce served with rice, made by KC. After that we buried our heads in report writing and mid-mission research material.
Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow we will do an EVA for 3 around the hab to run second test on the Pegasus scoop (rock sampling device) and do a drone payload test and drill for minimum payload weight and distance. Likely do some work around the ham radio antenna.
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Nominal
Crew Physical Status: Nominal
EVA: Completed 2 today

Reports to be filed:
Greenhab Report
Ops Report
Journalist Report
PHOTOS!
Photo of the Day

Support Requested:
Mission support is requested in case of storms, if the antenna needs to come down or be retrieved.

Crew 281 Sol Summary Report 19 May 2023
Sol: 5
Summary Title: Rock sampling, radios and chocolate
Author’s name: Ritupriya Patil (XO) and Megan Kane (Commander)
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary:
EVA: Today’s EVA was a local MDRS campus surveillance. Crew of 2 did a visual inspection of the hab to ensure there were no safety concerns after yesterday’s storm, and there were none. They then walked over to go to the chosen site for the Pegasus scoop test. While assembling the scoop for the test, the battery connection was damaged and the test was aborted, this was later repaired in the hab by Ana (Crew Scientist) and KC (Crew Engineer). After video documenting the attempted Pegasus scoop test, Ritu (XO) did a drone survey of MDRS facility from 90 m altitude for the purpose of georeferencing the region for future cartographic aid.
In the Greenhab,and harvested microgreens, arugula and lettuce for a fresh salad lunch.
In the science dome, Megan (Commander) transplanted cacao seeds, Ana (Crew Scientist) worked on cartographic maps and other items.
In the RAM, retrieved supplies for projects.
For lunch Ritu (XO) made lentil stew with quinoa and Megan harvested the greens for salads. After the research and hab work, we did report writing. For dinner we ate lentils and rice along with mango chutney and tomato salsa.
Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow we will continue scanline measurements at control point 3, Kissing Camel Ridge with a crew of 3. After that, another EVA for the antenna set up for the ham radio experiment will follow in the afternoon.
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Nominal
Crew Physical Status: Nominal
EVA: Completed 1 today

Reports to be filed:
Greenhab Report
Ops Report
Journalist Report
PHOTOS!
Photo of the Day

Support Requested:
Mission support is requested in case of storms, if the antenna needs to come down or be retrieved.

Crew 281 Sol Summary Report 18 May 2023
Sol: 4
Summary Title: Rest, research and plan
Author’s name: Ritupriya Patil (XO) and Megan Kane (Commander)
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary:
EVA: We did not do any EVA today to give ourselves a break from strenuous activity, focus on the research and get some good planning done for the future EVAs
In the Greenhab, KC (Crew Engineer) and Megan (Commander) established a cross flow technique for passive circulation and investigated potential use of evaporative cooling.
In the science dome, Megan (Commander) has her cacao experiment in progress and Rachel (HSO) worked on her software defined radio.
In the RAM, retrieved supplies for projects in hab and green hab.
Ritupriya (XO) investigated best drone flying techniques to capture scanlines to aid georeferencing and worked with Ana (Crew Scientist) to plan all the future EVA locations and objectives.
After the research and hab work, we did report writing. For dinner we made a tomato sauce based pasta, this sauce was delicious and was made with the green hab harvested tomatoes.
We did some recreational team building and worked on setting up our characters for Dungeons and Dragons.
After 8 pm the crew will be doing a crew bonding exercise.
Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow we plan on an EVA around the hab to set up ham radio antenna, test rock sampling device, exterior hab inspection and video record the operations
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Windy, 43 Km/h gusts
Crew Physical Status: No changes
EVA: None
Reports to be filed:
Greenhab Report
Ops Report
Journalist Report
PHOTOS!
Photo of the Day

Support Requested:
Mission support is requested in case of storms, if the antenna needs to come down or be retrieved.

Crew 281 Sol Summary Report 17 May 2023
Sol: 3
Summary Title: Geotechnical Surveys and Bread
Author’s name: Ritupriya Patil (XO) and Megan Kane (Commander)
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary:
EVA 3: Ana Pires (Crew Scientist)(EVA Lead) and KC Shasteen (Crew Engineer)(EVA Comm). Hab Comm: Ritupriya Patil (XO)
EVA prep began at 7 am when we started prepping the suits, radio comms, helmets and air circulation. KC Shasteen (Crew Engineer) made the pre-EVA checks with radios and spacesuits. After a 15 minute pre-breath followed a 5 minute depressurization in the air lock, leaving the airlock at 7:35 am. Waterchecks were scheduled after each station in the Geotechnical survey. Mid EVA one piece of equipment required repair, it was completed successfully. All objectives were completed. The Geotechnical survey took less time than initially expected and the team returned early.
In the Greenhab an airflow diverter was tested. With this change there should be no future concerns during this mission about excessive airflow on the plants in front of the fan when it is in use.
In the science dome, 2 research projects were worked on.
Lunch was freshly baked bread with butter and a delicious sauteed veggie medley. Ritupriya (XO) held a yoga stretch session to destress and work on the post EVA aches and soreness.
Dinner was left overs from all the yummy meals in the past couple days.
Look Ahead Plan:
Tomorrow we plan to have a restful day. We will do hab operations, maintenance, and daily research activities and set aside time for recreational activities. There will be no EVA tomorrow.
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Windy, 39 Km/h gusts
Crew Physical Status: No changes
EVA: Completed 1 today
Reports to be filed:
● Greenhab Report
● EVA Report
● Ops Report
● Journalist Report
● PHOTOS!
● Photo of the Day
Support Requested:
● None

Crew 281 Sol Summary Report 16-05-2023
Sol: 2
Summary Title: Around the Hab and Experiments
Author’s name: Ritupriya Patil (XO) and Megan Kane (Commander)
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary:
Before the EVA prep began Megan Kane (Commander) checked the greenhab.
EVA 3: Ritupriya Patil (XO, EVA Lead), Ana Pires (Crew Scientist)(EVA Comm), Rachel Jones (HSO). Hab Comm: Megan Kane
EVA prep began at 7:45 am when we started prepping our suits, radio comms, helmets and air circulation. KC Shasteen (Crew Engineer) made the pre-EVA checks with radios and spacesuit. We donned the EVA team’s suits, conducted a 15 minute pre-breath followed by a 5 minute depressurization in the air lock, leaving the airlock at 8:35 am. Waterchecks were scheduled for every 45 minutes. Mid EVA one suit required adjustments. All objectives were completed. Due to the suit requiring further adjustment the EVA crew returned to the hab early at 0956. After the EVA crew returned, KC and Megan assisted with adjusting the suit for future EVAs and, hopefully, solving the issue with the fit. Additionally during the EVA there was a communications issue that was successfully resolved.
In the Greenhab an airflow diverter was added to the fan to improve the conditions for the plants.
In the science dome, 2 research projects were worked on.

Look Ahead Plan:
Tomorrow we plan to conduct the first Geotechnical survey for the Crew Scientists research.
Additional experiments are in the works and existing experiments will be continued.
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Fine
Crew Physical Status:
· 1 crew in suboptimal condition, monitoring
EVA: Completed 1 today
Reports to be filed:
● Greenhab Report
● EVA Reports EVA 3
● Ops Report
● Commander’s Report
Support Requested:
● Issue with power system was observed and reported to Mission Support.
● Trash pickup requested for this evening.

Crew 281 Sol 2 Journalist Report 16 May 2023

Setting the Scene for Science!

By: Rachel Jones

Sol 2: 16 May 2023

Sol 2 on Mars. Today started with a multiple mission EVA. Ritupriya, Ana, and myself conducted a close range EVA around the areas immediately surrounding the habitat. Ritu conducted drone surveillance of the area. Ana looked for a suitable area to deploy her geotechnical robotic device in a later mission. My goal was to look at the area where the amateur radio antenna was previously deployed. Then a final team goal was to pick up debris surrounding the Hab. We collected 38 grams of debris! Overall it was a mission success.

Ritu was in charge of meals and hab support for Sol 2. Afternoon consisted of a wonderful Ramen lunch, followed by multiple report writing. I had cleaning duty and tried to ensure our EVA ready room remained as clean as possible. Utah dirt is not unlike Georgia clay. (Growing up on Flat Creek Ranch has prepared me well.) Megan is growing chocolate in the grow tent. Her research goal focuses on lurxary crops for space food production. (People will definitely want chocolate and Coffee on Mars.) Ana gathered all her materials for a long EVA tomorrow. KC designed and built an experimental air flow diverter for the Green Hab. Previously, Megan had rigged an experimental Terra Cotta watering system in the Green Hab. It’s taking a lot of effort from Megan and KC to keep the plants alive in the extreme Utah desert heat.

The night ended with a chickpea curry and rice dinner. (So good) Lots of discussion on future research and collaborations happened over dinner. We also thought of our team morale Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) campaign which should start soon. Finally, the evening centered on report writing. There are over 6-8 daily reports that have to be submitted, revised, then re-submitted.

Another successful day on Mars!

Crew 281 Sol Summary Report 15-05-2023
Sol: 1
Summary Title: First EVA and Training
Author’s name: Ritupriya Patil (XO) and Megan Kane (Commander)
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: We went out for our first EVAs where the crew of 5 was split in two EVA groups 3 members in each. The prep for this included doing a quick pre brief, health and water check done by Rachel Jones (HSO). We donned the radio equipment and the spacesuit.
EVA 1: Ritupriya Patil (XO, EVA Lead), Ana Pires (Crew Scientist), KC Shasteen (Crew Engineer).
EVA 2: Megan Kane (Commander, EVA Lead), Ana Pires (Crew Scientist), Rachel Jones (HSO).
EVA prep began at 7:45 am when we started prepping our suits, radio comms, helmets and air circulation. KC SHashteen (Crew Engineer) made the pre-EVA checks with radios and spacesuit. We got suited and followed a 5 minute depressurization in the air lock, starting out at 8:30 am. We took the Perseverance and Curiosity rover to Marble Ritual for our first EVA and did a 100 m of training walk with the spacesuit and geotechnical equipment. We performed communication checks with the hab com and the EVA com. The crew successfully achieved another training goal of the EVA by recording 200 measurements for rock hardness with Schmidt Hammer and Equotip. In order to acquire images of the first scanline and take pictures of the geological features the crew scientist left the fibreglass tape onsite. This was a lesson learned and after the debrief, it was decided that no equipment from the EVA should be left behind. This EVA enabled us to work on design suggestions for future traverse planning to carry out the geological-geotechnical characterization. The crew returned ahead of time at 10:00 am.
The second EVA was performed after a 30 minute break from the first one since we had one crew scientist going back for the second EVA. The second crew started EVA at 10:51 am also following the depressurization in the airlock.Crew of 3 drove Spirit and Opportunity to Cow Dung road and stopped at Marble Ritual. Some tourists arrived at the EVA location and the crew lost some EVA time since they had to wait. Due to this, we truncated the EVA and were only able to do visual observations of the geological features and we were not able to document those.
In the afternoon, the Cacao (Chocolate) sprouting experiment was started in the Science Dome and the passive watering system was installed in the greenhab. Also in the afternoon cleaning fo the lower deck and repairs to the tunnel system were done.
Look Ahead Plan:
We have a plan for scouting EVA around the hab tomorrow which was approved
Additional experiments are in the works and existing experiments will be continued.
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Fine
Crew Physical Status: Fine
EVA: Completed 2 today
Reports to be filed:
Greenhab Report
EVA Reports EVAs 1 and 2
Ops Report
Commander’s Report
Support Requested:
Support with Wifi password was requested and received
EVA assistance was requested and received

Sol 12

Summary Title: A successful search & rescue Safety drill for our last Sol on Mars !

Author’s name: Aline Decadi, XO

Mission Status: nominal

Sol Activity Summary: Today took place our final EVA-19.

We conducted a safety drill that involved James Burk (Commander) and Aline Decadi (XO) taking a rover on a new route never traveled before and getting stuck and needing to be rescued. In actuality, the Commander and XO planned this out and discussed with Mission Support the night before, and so the entire situation was meant to improve safety and awareness on the part of the crew on what to do in an emergency.

Overall, we were very happy how the crew rallied and worked together to establish a rescue operation and arrived only 20 minutes after the initial Request for Assistance ping was sent. It was a great experience for all crewmembers and a great way to cap off our successful mission to the MDRS.

Many valuable outcomes and recommendations have been listed as lessons learnt from this Safety drill. They are collected in the EVA report.

Nota EVA-20 initially foreseen in the afternoon has been cancelled in order for the crew to finish their analysis and research before the end of Sim planned at 06:00 PM.

The crew spent the rest of the day finishing their experiments and analysis and start packing for tomorrow’s departure. The crew will have a nice dinner together tonight with Sergii as our VIP.

Look Ahead Plan: This is our last day in Sim. Tomorrow, the crew will leave MDRS.

Anomalies in work: None.

Weather: Pleasant and sunny. Windy in the afternoon.

Crew Physical Status: Nominal.

EVA: EVA-19 North on the main road to the "Gateway to Candor".

Reports to be filed: HSO Report, EVA Report, Operations Report, Journalist Report, Pictures of the day, GreenHab Report.

Support Requested: None.