Category: Sol Summary

Sol: 6
Summary Title: Rock the Chasma
Author’s name: Kshitij Mall
Mission Status: All nominal
Sol Activity Summary:
The crew woke up slightly later than the usual wake up time of 7:30 AM. At 8:15 AM we conducted a brief stretching exercise session. The breakfast for the sol was Oatmeal and rehydrated fruits, prepared by Crew Geologist Adriana and supported by XO Arly. Three crew deaths (including me in yestersol’s EVA) followed by one-time-resurrection performed by the remaining crew members using the Sanjeevani Buti (a resurrection technology from ancient India provided to us by the Mission Support) forced our crew to re-approach the EVAs with more caution, which any Martian crew would do. The EVA today comprised Adriana, Arly, HSO Megan, and Crew Engineer Mason, each with a particular objective. The EVA crew made out of the hab toward the rovers in time, but just like yestersol, the comms issue kicked in. Mason and Megan both had comms issue, which were fixed by the Hab team comprising me, Crew Journalist Kenneth, and Greenhab Officer Madelyn. The EVA crew was then off to hammer some rocks in Candor Chasma that we ventured a bit yestersol. The primary objective of the EVA crew was to find paleoflow indicators and sampling Candor Chasma. Megan was taking photos while Arly was noting down the information of the samples collected by Adriana. The drone, Garud, was used for some group videos, and then was used to identify the most interesting site and the best route to that site. All the EVA objectives were successfully met without any casualty this time. Lots of rocks were collected and brought back to the Hab.
The 3D printer (named PIMA by our HSO Megan whose full form she knows the best) was working full force to create a rock hammer, which should be ready by tomorrow for use in our future geological EVAs. Madelyn planted more seeds, harvested Dill, Basil, Micro Greens and Chives, watered twice the existing Martian crop in the Greenhab during the day. I finally approved the first showers for the crew and 4 crewmates including myself got lucky to wash off some Martian dirt from our bodies. We did feel fresh and light after the much-awaited showers. Even with 4 showers, the crew was able to just use 26 gallons of water.
Mission Support got emergency replacements for our radio headsets using an interplanetary cargo ship. Mason and I checked the new headsets. Megan also performed our mid-mission Covid tests, and a positively energized crew did turn out to be negative on the Covid test, which enables us to complete the mission safely. Dinner of the sol was (delicious) Dill Bread and Mediterranean Powerbowls prepared by Madelyn using food resources from the Greenhab and Hab Sweet Hab. The crew is excited to take a break from the EVAs tomorrow and enjoy the Martian vibes at the Hab while having even more crew bonding sessions comprising watching a Bollywood movie (first time for most crew members), playing games, napping, and showers for remaining unbathed members.
Look Ahead Plan: Taking a day off tomorrow
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Sunny day with few clouds, winds calm
Crew Physical Status: Good
EVA: One
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Operations Report, Journalist Report, EVA Report, Greenhab Report, HSO Covid Test Report.
Support Requested: None

Crew 272 Sol Summary Report 06-01-2023

Sol: 5

Summary Title: First Taste of Chasma

Author’s name: Kshitij Mall

Mission Status: All nominal

SolActivitySummary:The crew woke up after having seemingly delicious Black Magic birthsol cake from the previous night. The HSO, Megan, and I conducted a brief warmup exercise session to physically get ready for the EVA. The breakfast of the day, Egg Quiche, was prepared by our XO Arly assisted by Crew Engineer Mason. The EVA preparation commenced after a quick briefing session to let each member know the objectives and responsibilities of EVA for the sol. Crew Geologist Adriana, Crew Engineer Mason and Crew Journalist Kenneth joined me for this Martian voyage. The crew headed to commence the EVA in the front air lock, but soon after I had some finicky comms issue where the crew could barely hear me out. The Mission Support immediately came to rescue me out of the LOS situation. Shannon from Mission Support advised to recheck the audio jack connections and that actually resolved my comms issue.

For the EVA, checkpoints were defined and the two EVA subteam marked these checkpoints off. Also, the crew went super slow to test the batteries on the Martian rovers. Opportunity rover that I was driving performed the best while Spirit rover was not far off. We have significant SOC savings by gong very slowly. However, we noticed that the rovers consume more charge while going toward Gateway to Candor than while coming back. The comms issue resurrected when I parked Opportunity at the intersection of Cow Dung Road and the Gateway to Candor, but it got resolved over time without any major issue. My Crew then had a small hike to the BTS at the boiler ledge (next to the Galileo Road on the map) to turn on Transmitter #2 that we placed in EVA 3. I then requested Habcom to turn on transmitter #1. The Yagi Uda antenna receiver system was then tested at the boiler ledge near the BTS. In the meanwhile, Adriana (Rocky) hammered down some rocks and collected some samples. When everything appeared nominal the crew went back to the rovers and got the drone. Another spot was chosen for testing the Yagi-Uda antenna system and success was reported but only after hiking to a higher elevation spot to the right of the gateway to candor. This proved that the receiving system works only when transmitters are in line of sight. On the side, Garud the drone was in action and took some amazing video shots of Candor Chasma for scouting purposes. The range of the drone significantly increased today when it was flown at 400 ft (121.92 m). The range increased from around a 100 ft (333.33 m) to around 2600 ft (792.5 m). We eventually reached the Candor Chasma area where Adriana tested the geological abilities of Kenneth by asking him questions regarding the geological processes around that area. The EVA turned out to be a success as all the objectives were met.

This became personally my toughest EVA, even more so than the Yagi Uda antenna-based EVA that I did with my previous crew commander, Max Fagin, when my suit started fogging after the air vent and cooling unit in my suit started having issues and eventually stopped. My precious experience with suits without any air venting system came handy today. I was happy that I was still able to get everything done in time. The air venting system on my suit was nominal until I was driving the Opportunity rover. Mason and I will be checking it and will report Mission Support about our findings. The EVA crew quickly debriefed the EVA to Arly upon return. As if the EVA was not enough, the EVA crew was then summoned by Arly to complete her daily personal survey and cognitive performance tests. The EVA did impact the performance of the EVA crew, but personally I scored high on many of those tests due to post-EVA adrenaline that made me quite awake and attentive. The Greenhab officer, Madelyn reported to me and Mason about an anomaly at the Greenhab. The cooling system became non-nominal and the temperature of the Greenhab rose to 90 degrees Fahrenheits (32.2 degrees Celsius). Mission Support told us not to worry about it as it was a very sunny day and the temperature rise was boind to happen. A minor issue with the 3D printer was also fixed by Megan while the EVA crew was out. The crew’s water saving abilities and strategies led to a record low usage of only 13 gallons. I have awarded the crew their first quick shower as a reward for this record. During the evening, I gave a Bollywood 101 quick course to the remaining crew who heard/saw some of the Bollywood dance songs from India. Kenneth has been practicing some Bollywood dance steps too in his free time to destress. The dinner tonight will be on me and Adriana, as again, as if the EVA was not enough for the two of us. But we both happen to be the major foodies on this crew. So, the crew will be having some Japanese delicacies including ramen and miso soup. I stole some recipes from my wife from Japan, Sawako, and that is going to save the sol for the crew, at least for tonight. Quiet hours will kick in from 10 PM, but some crew members have been quietly playing Space Chess and solving crossword puzzles.

Look Ahead Plan: Venture further into the Candor Chasma to document Trough Crossbedding

Anomalies in work: None

Weather:Very foggy in the morning but very sunny during EVAs, winds calm

Crew Physical Status: Good

EVA: One

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Operations Report, Journalist Report, EVA Report, EVA Request, Greenhab Report.

Support Requested:We wanted to know if there is a possibility of having resources shipped to us during the rotation

Thanks
Kshitij

Crew 272 Sol Summary Report 05-01-2023

Sol: 4

SummaryTitle: EVAProtocols Revision andBirthsol Celebrations

Author’s name: Kshitij Mall

Mission Status: All nominal after a comprehensive EVA preparation session

SolActivitySummary: The crew woke up at 7:30 AM after getting a baby-like sleep necessitated by a long EVA with some navigational issues requiring the EVA crew to walk more than driving on a sunny day. I then played a birthday song for our Crew Journalist, Kenneth, who had his first birthsol on Mars. After many valuable suggestions by the Mission Support team, for safety and training purposes, the EVA today was called off. The crew completely understood the gravity of precise navigation and accurately telling the Mission Support about the routes chosen. A comprehensive EVA preparation session was carried out by me and Crew Geologist, Adriana, to teach all members about using navigational instruments and maps to not lose way on Mars. Chapters 5 and 6 of the handbook were also revised by the crew to better prepare for future EVAs. The breakfast for the day comprising pancakes was prepared by Greenhab Officer, Madelyn, and assisted by Kenneth. Anew bread recipe comprising cinnamon and brown sugar, which turned out to be a success. The Crew Journalist, Kenneth also covered video interviews of Arly (our XO) and Adriana while they have no way to escape his cameras. Each team member also took the daily personal survey and cognitive performance tests for Arly’s human factors experiments.

The Science Dome turned into a rock party (in literal terms) when Adriana analyzed samples collected from Marble Ridge and Compass Rock and undertook rock tutorial sessions for other crewmates. She organized each sample collected and began a spreadsheet of descriptions of each sample including its mineralogy, lithology, and any other notable features. She identified minerals such as azurite, malachite, garnet, and quartz-filled geodes and fossils including an ammonite, bivalve, and gryphaea specimen, as well as a bryozoan stem. Adriana also began to test her depositional environment interpretations by using 0.1 Molar hydrochloric acid to see if there was carbonate material in any of the samples she had collected. Adriana also examined other rocks that crewmates had collected and offered her best interpretations of the mineralogy and lithology.

In the GreenHab Madelyn was in action, monitoring the growth of Martian plants. She also planted “Black Nebula” carrots. The Crew Engineer, Mason brought the good news that the crew has resolved water consumption issues and created a personal record of around 20 gallons water consumption, which is 40% of what the crew gulped yestersol. In another news, Grogu, the cheerful Yoda, was finally roused from his slumber to participate in the birthsol celebrations of Kenneth. I secretly prepared the Black Magic cake, while leaving the decoration part to the more artistic crew member, Adriana. My idea was to create a black magic on Kenneth to write even more enthralling Journalist Reports. Kenneth has no complaints whatsoever as he feels younger and lighter on Mars. Arly and Mason helped inflate the balloons and also Grogu to decorate the Hab Sweet Hab. The crew is balancing life on Mars completing their research, learning how to be better and more efficient on EVAs, and celebrating crewmate’s birthsol. The dinner includes Cheese Raviolis and Garlic breads prepared by Mason and assisted by Arly. After the dinner, the crew plans to complete the daily survey requested by Andres. Tomorrow will be a challenging sol for the crew as they embark on their mission to successfully navigate to Candor Chasma.

Look Ahead Plan: Complete an EVA to Candor Chasma based on the input provided by MDRS Mission Support

Anomalies in work: None

Weather: Overcast conditions and colder temperatures for most of the day, calm wind conditions

Crew Physical Status: Good

EVA: None

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Operations Report, Journalist Report, EVA Request, Greenhab Report.

Support Requested: None

 

Crew 272 Sol Summary Report 04-01-2023

Sol: 3

Summary Title: Elusive Gypsum but finally BTS on Mars

Author’s name: Kshitij Mall

Mission Status: All nominal

Sol Activity Summary: After having a good sleep of 8 hours to digest the delicious Pizza prepared by Hemingway/Kenneth (recipe courtesy MDRS veteran Dr. Cesare Guariniello), the crew indulged in the daily routine of short warm up exercises lead by HSO Xerox (Megan). The crew then savored bagels of two flavors along with rehydrated eggs prepared by Hemingway and Xerox. Crew Engineer Scout (Mason) kept tabs on the water usage since the crew consumed more than nominal yesterday. After a briefing session at 0930, the EVA crew started preparing for the EVA. Due to minor anomalies in the GPS device and a minor hiccup with the radio comms, the EVA crew’s departure got slightly delayed. But since safety is of topmost priority, the EVA crew ensured it was completely ready to embark instead of hurrying up. On the side, I used the 3D printed toll made by Xerox to make a hole in the box to place the transmitter.

Thinking like a Martian was need of the hour and the EVA crew implemented it whenever a tough situation was presented. The EVA crew slightly got lost on the way after spotting (and possibly getting intimidated by) an alien ship comprising two aliens. After recovering the way, the EVA crew went ahead but the Perseverance rover reached 60% state of charge and the EVA crew chose to walk on foot to carry on the mission, The EVA crew the climbed on the top of a ledge that they described as the Boiler Ledge. At this ledge they placed a temporary transmission system comprising Microfox 15 transmitter antenna system of 147 MHz frequency. They named it the Boiler Transmission Station (BTS). I used a Yagi-Uda antenna to test the BTS as well a Microfox 15 transmitter placed in the Hab operating with 146 MHz frequency. While the BTS was being established, Scout started what his call sign exactly suggest: Scouting. For this he used a drone named Garud. The performance test of the drone was below nominal, so we counted it as a partial success. The EVA crew then embarked on Mission Gypsum on the approved EVA route but on foot to get some gypsum for the Greenhab Officer, Sprout (Madelyn). Crew Geologist Rocky (Adriana) served as the tour guide for Mars explaining about several Martian rock and river formations. Although gypsum eluded us throughout, other resources were collected to be used at the Greenhab. Rocky kept collecting rocks all along the way and the sampling bag was filled with plethora of rocks. Although the EVA crew had partial success in all the objectives, they felt nice that it was not a complete failure.

The EVA crew embarked on the journey back to the hab and this time tested the discharge rate of the battery on the rovers. We found that driving very slow without many acceleration changes indeed saved the charge on the rovers although more time was needed to cover the required distances. So, it will be a tradeoff. The EVA crew still made it back around 45 minutes before the requested arrival time. After coming back the whole crew filled in the cognitive performance test and the personal survey requested by the XO and Crew Scientist, Maple (Arly). By this time, it was also identified that there was no water leakage of any sorts in the hab, but it was indeed the crew using more water than nominal. The crew has taken a note of it and has taken all necessary actions to bring the water usage down to nominal. Scout and Rocky crashed to bed after an eventful EVA. But I had to forcibly wake up Scout to complete another mission: empty the toilet, which he successfully completed. Scout also completed vacuum cleaning the lower deck, while I am going to vacuum clean the upper deck. Hemingway and I practiced our Russian language skills for a small time, while venturing on some Spanish words on the side. Maple and Scout are on the dinner duty tonight and preparing sweet potato and cauliflower along with rice.

Look Ahead Plan: Continue the range test and scouting operations of Garud (our drone) and to see the BTS in action on Mars

Anomalies in work: None

Weather: Sunny, Clear, Winds Calm

Crew Physical Status: Good

EVA: One

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Operations Report, Journalist Report, EVA Report, EVA Request, Greenhab Report.

Support Requested: None

Sol: 2
Summary Title: Sim Commences
Author’s name: Kshitij Mall
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: The crew completed the final leg of the training starting at 1000 after completing the daily exercises and breakfast routine. After completing the necessary rover training the crew entered the sim at 1100 after bidding adieu to Shannon, Sergii, and Don. Two EVAs were then successfully completed at Marble Ritual by 1600 hours. Right after the EVAs the crew filled out the daily personal survey and cognitive performance tests requested by the XO. After coming back from their EVAs at 1530 the XO set up the air quality monitors in the Hab, Science dome and her room, while the Greenhab officer planted more items in the Greenhab.
Look Ahead Plan: Embark on a longer EVA and further provide training to the crew members for such EVAs
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Mostly sunny with overcast conditions at around 1600 and later
Crew Physical Status: Good
EVA: Two
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Operations, Journalist, EVA Reports, EVA Request, Greenhab.
Support Requested: None

Sol: 1
Summary Title: Redusters Training and Photoshoot
Author’s name: Kshitij Mall
Mission Status: Nominal, will enter the sim tomorrow when weather permits
Sol Activity Summary: The crew is well situated in the hab and started getting used to living in their Martian home while conserving energy to carefully utilize the solar power on cloudy sols. Training on radio comms, suits, and MDRS maps was completed. Furthermore, the protocols to safely and properly use the GreenHab, Science Dome, RAM, and Hab were further explained, and all necessary training was successfully completed. Since weather was not conducive for EVAs and for rover training due to muddy and damp Martian roads, both these events have been pushed to tomorrow. We instead got some drone testing done and some cool drone videography of MDRS with an amazing backdrop of the Sun spot-lighting the North Ridge and surrounding areas. Additionally, the crew completed cognitive performance tests and personal surveys requested by Crew Scientist/XO, Arly "Maple" Black, pre-mission and evening questionnaires requested by Andres Kaosaar (a doctoral student in the TRACE lab, University of Central Florida) doing his approved research at MDRS, and Off-Road Vehicle Certification mandated by Utah officials.
Look Ahead Plan: Complete the rover training tomorrow at 1000 and enter sim at 1200 if the weather permits. Then, embark on 2 EVAs upon approval to get all the crew members well versed and comfortable with using radio comms, rovers, and work with suits.
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Rainy in the morning, intermittent sunlight after 1200
Crew Physical Status: Good
EVA: None
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Operations, Journalist Report, HSO Checklist, EVA Request, Greenhab Report.
Support Requested: Would need some information about the transmitting frequencies of MDRS Ham and the repeater in order to analyze using them for the Radio Navigation project.

Sol: 0
Summary Title: Successful Entry, Descent, and Landing on MDRS
Author’s name: Kshitij Mall
Mission Status: Awaiting good weather to start the EVAs for training
Sol Activity Summary: Crew 272 safely arrived at MDRS by1200 and got situated. The crew completed training about the habitat including safety measures and precautions to be taken. The crew also undertook power saving measures as the weather was non-nominal for good solar power.
Look Ahead Plan: Based on weather and upon approval, embark on 2 EVAs to get the crew members trained on using suits, radio comms, and rovers.
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Unseasonably warm with on and off rain from 1230
Crew Physical Status: Good
EVA: None
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Operations, HSO, Mission Plan, Crew Bios, Crew Pictures, and Crew Mission Patch.
Support Requested: None

Sol: 3

Summary Title: Rocketry and Field Trips

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

The crew woke up on Mars where they started their day with rocket ship building in the science dome. Everyone was able to assemble his/her rocket as well as a bigger display rocket. These will fly tomorrow morning. After lunch, the crew broke Sim to go to Stan’s Burger Shak for lunch. With full bellies they stopped at Rockin Riddle Rock Shop where Cathy warmly greeted the crew and let them rummage amongst her thousands of rocks. Shannon led the way and took the crew through an adventure of Factory Butte, Valley of the Stars, San Rafael Overlook, and Salt Wash. The quest was to find the magical gypsum that encased the extremophile. The crew was able to successfully gather samples as well as some other treasures along the quest. The night ended with a conglomerate dinner of leftovers and Nutella frosted brownies.

Look Ahead Plan: Launch rockets, clean up campus, and go home!

Anomalies in work: No anomalies

Weather: Chilly (approx. 40 deg F), partly sunny, windy and cold!

Crew Physical Status: good physical health for the remaining crewmembers

EVA: none

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary

Support Requested: None at this time

Sol: 2

Summary Title: All About the Biosignatures

Author’s name: Jen Carver-Hunter and Jenny Sumsion

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

Our second day on Mars began with a hearty breakfast of blueberry oatmeal made by Commander Jen. Morning meeting laid out the plans for another exciting day! The weather was beautiful and we decided to start our EVA directly after lunch. In the meantime, the group had a lively discussion about ways teachers could bring the MDRS experience to more students. Many great ideas were generated as we hashed out the subtle nuances involved in the process of program/contest planning. Hopefully, we moved Shannon closer to a productive, possible probability for her grant.

After lunch of a parmesan tuna casserole made by Jonathan and Jenny, we suited up for our EVA. Setting out across the Martian landscape and our adventures are covered in today’s EVA report by Jen2.

The team returned to the Hub at 3:45 exhausted, sweaty, and happy. Many team members took showers and settled down for an hour of personal time before a dinner of fried rice made by Jordan, Commander Jen, and Amy. There will be more games tonight for the partiers in the group.

Look Ahead Plan: Continuation of fieldwork lab, rocketry (build), end sim, Great Adventure to Salt Wash

Anomalies in work: No anomalies

Weather: Chilly (approx. 40 deg F), partly sunny, calm

Crew Physical Status: mostly good, one crew member left MDRS due to onset of illness symptoms

EVA: field work to locate and identify

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA Request, EVA Report

Support Requested: None at this time

Sol: 1

Summary Title: Science in Sim

Author’s name: Jen Carver-Hunter and Jordan Chaves

Mission Status: Nominal

Sol Activity Summary: This morning the crew was all up and gathered for breakfast at 8:30. Commander Jen and Jordan made breakfast (freeze dried eggs were weird). It was a bright sunny morning, and the sunrise colors made the sky pink and orange. In the morning we heard a presentation from an aerospace engineer, which also inspired good conversation about applications on mars and mars rovers. Afterwards, we did a training on spacesuit set up and usage, chose our style and got prepared for afternoon EVA. We took a short break followed by a weird lunch of canned ham and ketchup (aka soggy tomatoes).

After lunch we prepped for EVA. We bundled up in order to be warm and packed waters and cameras. We went through the airlock and exited the hab in 2 groups.

When we came back from EVA the hab smelled like shit because the toilet had just been cleaned/emptied and everyone had to pee. We took another break before going to the science dome to sort rocks and set up a lab. We collected beginning data for our selenite samples, and each put one in moving water and one in the oven. This evening we ate Italian for dinner, followed by funfetti cake for dessert. Games tonight for those of us who can stay awake.

Look Ahead Plan: Lab Continuation of fieldwork lab, biosignature identification EVA, Education + MDRS roundtable discussion

Anomalies in work: No anomalies

Weather: Chilly (approx. 40 deg F), partly sunny, calm

Crew Physical Status: good physical status for all

EVA: Geologic sample collection at Road to Barranca Butte and near Kissing Camel Ridge

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, EVA Request, EVA Report

Support Requested: None at this time