Category: Sol Summary

Crew 245 Sol Summary Report 20-04-2022
SOL: 10
Summary Title: A good sol
Author’s name: Paolo Guardabasso

Mission status: Operations proceed nominally, with some more focus on the journalist’s work filming the station.

Sol Activity Summary: This morning the cortisol stress level test experiment EVA was completed, and in the afternoon we dedicated time to experiments and return logistics.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow will be our last day of sim. We plan to spend the day doing inventory for shipment, work on the final research report and perhaps perform our two last EVAs, depending on the weather.

Anomalies in work: None, the suit problem apparently had a very trivial solution, linked to a misplacement of the chargers’ multiple plugs (see operations report for details).

Weather: Very beautiful day, that allowed swift EVAs and comfortable temperature in the afternoon. Temperature 6 (low) and 25 (high) C, Wind speed 19 (avg) and 24 (max) kph

Crew Physical Status: All nominal.

EVA: Two consecutive EVAs have been performed. They represent the second part of two parts of the stress level experiment, where 2 crew members will have to explore and navigate an area with and without a digital map previously generated with a drone.

Reports to be filled:
– HSO report
– Operation report
– Journalist report
– Some pictures + picture of the day
– EVA request (2)
– EVA report (2)

Support Requested: None at the moment.

Crew 245 Sol Summary Report 19-04-2022
SOL: 9
Summary Title: Nominal ops
Author’s name: Paolo Guardabasso

Mission status: The majority of the experiments proceed nominally, with some issues here and there.

Sol Activity Summary: The day was dedicated to EVAs in the morning (before the wind rose) and to sample and data processing in the afternoon, with a bit of relax. We also (sadly) started managing the logistics for our return to Earth.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow we’ll once again dedicate the morning to EVAs, and spend the afternoon most likely similar to today, working on experiments and logistics.

Anomalies in work: We observed a non-nominal behaviour in Suit 1 (air only at maximum), and we performed some troubleshooting.

Weather: Good weather, although increasingly windy. Temperature 9 (low) and 29 (high) C, Wind speed 43 (avg) and 64 (max) kph

Crew Physical Status: We’re starting to feel the effects of the hot season. One crew member was denied EVA because of high BP.

EVA: Two consecutive EVAs have been performed. They represent the first part of two parts of the stress level experiment, where 2 crew members will have to explore and navigate an area with and without a digital map previously generated with a drone.

Reports to be filled:
– HSO report
– Operation report
– Journalist report
– Some pictures + picture of the day
– EVA request (2)
– EVA report (2)

Support Requested: None at the moment.

Hello CapCom,

Please find attached the Sol Summary.

Best regards,

Paolo GuardabassoSMOPS Crew Executive Officer

Crew 245 Sol Summary Report 17-04-2022
SOL: 7
Summary Title: Martian Easter
Author’s name: Paolo Guardabasso

Mission status: Troubleshooting is ongoing for various experiments after some contingencies arose. The nice weather allows continuing EVA experimentation.

Sol Activity Summary: Calm day today: after an early morning EVA that was interrupted for low battery voltage in suits 3, the crew spent the day dedicating time to experiments but also relaxing.

At lunch, pasta with pesto was prepared for the crew. In the afternoon, another EVA was planned to collect biological samples and map an area with the drone. Luckily, the second lost sensor was found. In the meantime, some suit maintenance was performed, and some tests were run on the antenna assembly. Tonight, we’ll have a small celebration, sharing some more food from our countries’ traditions.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow we’ll perform the first of two parts of the stress level experiment, where 2 crew members will have to explore and navigate an area with and without a digital map generated with the drone. Troubleshooting on the antenna will continue.

Anomalies in work: The morning EVA was interrupted because suit 3 was delivering low air. This was likely due to the fact that the charger connector detached from the suit and did not connect properly. The suit is now charging and we’ll test it later to make sure that the voltage is once again nominal. A proper test before EVA would’ve allowed us to spot the problem, so we prepared an EVA checklist, both for the night before and the 30 min before EVA.

Weather: Very warm day, with low winds. Temperature 7 (low) and 26 (high) C, Wind speed 19 (avg) and 35 (max) kph

Crew Physical Status: All nominal.

EVA: Apart from the mentioned suit 3 anomaly, EVAs went smoothly, and the crew explored a new area in the North.

Reports to be filled:
– Crew commander
– HSO report
– Operation report
– Mid-mission Research Report
– Journalist
– Picture of the day
– Some pictures
– EVA request (2)
– EVA report (2)

Support Requested: None at the moment.

Crew 245 Sol Summary Report 16-04-2022
SOL: 6
Summary Title: A visitor on Mars
Author’s name: Paolo Guardabasso

Mission status: The MDRS received a visitor who interviewed the crew members and accompanied them in their daily tasks. Some cargo was received from Earth, with additional sensors and equipment for EVA.

Sol Activity Summary: This morning we performed an EVA towards the north, looking for peculiar features to perform a 3D scan. Unfortunately, we’re currently unable to process these scans, but we are working on it. HIgh winds and overheating of Opportunity cut the EVA short, and we made it back to the station. After lunch, the ground station and the antenna were tested during 2 satellite visibility windows, but both were unsuccessful. The rest of the crew dedicated time to their own experiments, and troubleshooting. Tonight we’re having the cultural night.

Look Ahead Plan: The crew is proceeding in their experiments, shifting towards more 3D printing and drone mapping (if the weather allows it).

Anomalies in work: Wind and a faulty rover interrupted our EVA.

Weather: Warm but increasingly windy. Temperature 11 (low) and 24 (high) C, Wind speed 50 (avg) and 61 (max) kph

Crew Physical Status: All nominal.

EVA: During our morning EVA, we found a strange turtle-like shape and 3D scanned it, and proceeded on foot towards the west and 3D- scanned a small canion. EVA was interrupted because of high winds, and on the way back Opportunity overheated and stopped several times during the return trip.

Reports to be filled:
– HSO report
– Operation report
– Journalist
– Picture of the day
– Some pictures
– EVA request (2)
– EVA report

Support Requested: None at the moment.

Crew 245 Sol Summary Report 13-04-2022
SOL: 3
Summary Title: Busy day
Author’s name: Paolo Guardabasso

Mission status: All experiments are nominal and running.

Sol Activity Summary: Busy day for the crew, between EVAs and the last breaking of Sim to retrieve the last heavy package (Industrial 3D Printer).

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow a morning EVA will be performed to collect some more samples, and the afternoon will be dedicated to experiments inside the station.

Anomalies in work: A sensor was lost in the field today, it’ll be recovered tomorrow. If it won’t rain, it might survive the night. Otherwise, we’ll do a short ceremony and a minute of silence for this sacrifice to science.

Weather: Very pleasant in the morning, getting windy in the afternoon. Temperature -1 (low) and 12 (high), Wind speed 35 (avg) and 45 (max).

Crew Physical Status: All nominal.

EVA: Today 2 EVAs were performed: a morning EVA for sampling and an afternoon EVA to fix and assemble the base for our Ground Station antenna.

Reports to be filled:
– HSO report
– Operation report
– Journalist
– Picture of the day
– Some pictures
– EVA request
– EVA report (2)

Support Requested: None

Crew 245 Sol Summary Report 12-04-2022
SOL: 2
Summary Title: Finally on Mars!
Author’s name: Paolo Guardabasso

Mission status: From today we are finally on Mars, and several experiments are ongoing.

Sol Activity Summary: Today the weather was more favourable, and the crew was able to perform the first EVA in the morning. After lunch, we had to break sim to retrieve some cargo in town. In the afternoon, we dedicated some time to process wearable sensors data from the EVA and kick-off the Astroskin experiment (continuous monitoring). We were also able to take the picture with the Yuri’s banner, which was the first time the whole crew was in a picture.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow morning 3 crew members will perform an EVA to collect some samples, while the rest of the crew will assemble the satellite ground station. One member will have to briefly break sim to retrieve cargo in town. In the afternoon, we’ll do an EVA to complete (hopefully) the exterior assembly of the ground station.

Anomalies in work: We had to cancel the afternoon EVA because of cargo arriving in town.

Weather: Today it was less windy than yesterday, but it is getting also colder. Temperature 1 (low) and 8 (high), Wind speed 43 (avg) and 53 (max)

Crew Physical Status: All nominal, but a bit cold because of the broken heater.

EVA: First EVA performed in the morning, all nominal.

Reports to be filled:
– HSO report
– Operation report
– Journalist
– Picture of the day
– Some pictures
– EVA request (2)
– EVA report (2)

Support Requested: None

Crew 245 Sol Summary Report 11-04-2022
SOL: 1
Summary Title: A windy situation
Author’s name: Paolo Guardabasso

Mission status: Sim has been delayed all day waiting for favourable conditions for the unsuited rover training that did not yet happen. We decided to start sim tomorrow morning.

Sol Activity Summary: The crew performed EVA suit training and tested the SMOPS flight suits and boots. The first meal at the station was prepared (no insects were hurt in the process). The afternoon was dedicated to some repairs, checking EVA suits, inventory and experiment preparation. Because of the high wind, it was not possible to go out and perform the rover training. Around the start of CapCom the front door was opened by the wind and slammed, breaking the wooden rail of the stairs.

Look Ahead Plan: Later we might attempt to repair the stairs, or more likely in a future EVA. Tomorrow morning we will officially start sim in the morning. Some cargo is still on route, hence 2 members will have to break sim during the day to retrieve it in Hanksville. Hopefully we’ll perform 2 EVAs in the day.

Anomalies in work: High wind delayed the taking of a group picture (also that with the banner) and rover training.

Weather: High winds, average speed 45 kmh and with a maximum of 75 kmh.

Crew Physical Status: All nominal.

EVA: No suited EVAs performed.

Reports to be filled:
– Mission plan
– HSO report
– Operation report
– Journalist report
– Picture of the day
– Some pictures
– EVA request (2)

Support Requested: We need the Yuri’s banner to take a picture tomorrow in EVA.

Crew 227 Sol Summary Report 08-04-22

Sol: 12

Summary Title: End of a successful tour for the Tharsis crew

Author’s name: Jean Jacobs (XO)

Mission Status: Heartbreak for the crew as the end of tour arrives. A last EVA for some of the members to lift their spirits. The HAB is getting ready for the next crew.

Sol activity summary:

08:00 Breakfast

09:00 EVA to Candor Chasma + cleaning of the HAB

14:00 Lunch and end of simulation

19:00 Capcom

Anomalies in work: None

Weather: Sunny day

Crew Physical Status: Crew is in shape

EVA: EVA to Candor Chasma for data gathering

Support Requested: None at this time

Crew 227 Sol Summary Report 05/04/22
Sol: 9

Summary Title: Power outage freezes afternoon activity.

Author’s name: Jean Jacobs (XO)

Mission Status: After a successful EVA, the crew went on to complete its afternoon activities. A power outage derailed the plans without consequences.

Sol activity summary:
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 EVA start
12:00 Second part of EVA leg fixing
14:00 Lunch
15:00 Coding for data analysis and plants measurement
18:00 Report redaction
19:00 Capcom
21:00 Dinner

Anomalies in work: 2h30 of power outage. Recovered at 19h15.

Weather: Sunny, windy day

Crew Physical Status: Crew is in shape

EVA: 1st part of EVA: measurement of dielectric of soil properties using the antenna mounted on Perseverance. Exploring of the zone D around Brahe Hwy. EVA finished by a broken leg fixing drill.

Reports to be filed:
– Crew commander
– HSO
– Operation report
– Astronomer
– GreenHab officer
– Journalist
– Picture of the day
– Some pictures
– EVA request
– EVA summary

Support Requested: None at this time