Category: Sol Summary

[title Sol Summary – November 20th]

Crew 216 Sol Summary Report 26-NOV-19
Sol: 2
Summary Title: Communications, film, and drone projects
Author’s name: Marc Levesque
Mission Status: Active
Sol Activity Summary: Today was our second day in sim during which we conducted two EVAs. The first was to test an improved communication system for EVAs using a VHF/UHF 5 watt radio at the Hab and to continue filming for a documentary project. The second continued communications testing to determine the range of the GMRS radio at the Hab versus the VHF/UHF radio and to conduct the first test of the drone project.
Look Ahead Plan: We will conduct two EVAs to identify possible radio repeater sites near the Hab and to continue testing EVA communications to the south of the Hab along with documentary filming.
Anomalies in work: N/A.
Weather: Cold and windy overnight.
Crew Physical Status: Healthy
EVA: Two EVAs conducted.
Reports to be file: Sol Summary Report, Commander Report, Operations Report, Astronomy Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Research Report, EVA Report, and Photos.
Support Requested: None

Crew 216 Sol Summary Report 25-NOV-2019
Sol: 1
Summary Title: First day on Mars
Author’s name: Marc Levesque
Mission Status: Active

Sol Activity Summary: Today was our first day in sim. With worsening weather predicted, we conducted two EVAs to continue a project from the previous crew and to provide a filming opportunity for a crew member’s project. We also tested a higher powered handheld radio for communications with the second EVA team.

Look Ahead Plan: If weather permits, we will conduct two EVAs to further test communications to the south and east of the Hab while flying a drone to collect video footage for an educational project.

Anomalies in work: N/A.
Weather: Rain and snow overnight.
Crew Physical Status: Healthy
EVA: Two EVAs conducted.
Reports to be file: Sol Summary Report, Commander Report, Operations Report, Astronomy Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Research Report, EVA Report, and Photos.
Support Requested: Pick up of non-burnable trash in rear airlock.

Crew 216 Sol Summary Report 24-NOV-2019
Sol: 0
Summary Title: Training Day
Author’s name: Marc Levesque, Commander

Mission Status: Active

Sol Activity Summary: Today was a training day in which the crew learned about rover operations, EVA equipment, and procedures, and overall operations of the Hab and sim requirements.

Anomalies in work: N/A.

Weather: Freezing overnight, light winds, clear skies.

Crew Physical Status: Healthy

EVA: N/A

Reports to be filed: Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Science Report, EVA Requests, HSO Pre-Mission Checklist, and Commander Report.

Support Requested: N/A

[title Sol Summary – November 23rd]

[category sol-summary]

Crew 216 Sol Summary Report 23-NOV-2019

Sol: -1

Summary Title: Change over day

Author’s name: Marc Levesque

Mission Status: Inactive

Sol Activity Summary: Today was a hand over day with Crew 215 who introduced our crew to MDRS and its systems. We have learned engineering procedures, identified EVA locations, GreenHab operations, inquired about rover operations, but tomorrow is when all the familiarizations will be carried out.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow we will be running through Science Dome operations, GreenHab operations, RAM operations, EVA procedures and equipment, rover operations, and familiarization of the Hab operations, including cooking, cleaning, and maintenance.

Anomalies in work: N/A.

Weather: Just freezing overnight, light winds, clear skies.

Crew Physical Status: Healthy

EVA: N/A

Reports to be file: Sol Summary Report, Operations Report

Support Requested: N/A

Crew 215 Sol Summary Report 22-NOV-2019 Sol: 12 Summary Title: Final Day on Mars Author’s name: Andrew Wheeler Mission Status: Active Sol Activity Summary: Today we spent our time cleaning and packing in preparation for our departure and the arrival of Crew 216. Data was sorted and archived, experimental equipment was dismantled, cleaned and stored and personal items were packed. The last unused samples were removed from the Science dome, ready to be returned to their collection locations. After cleaning, it was secured. Likewise, in the Green Hab, plants were watered and equipment packed away. The hab was cleaned and readied for the next green thumb to apply tender loving care to the growing crop. The RAM was secured whilst, in the main hab, the business of living went on. Meals were prepared and consumed, though with a touch of sadness. This has been an fantastic experience in a wonderful facility in an amazing environment and it will be difficult to leave. But leave we must and we will warmly greet the next rotation when they arrive tomorrow. Look Ahead Plan: Departure from the hab for Crew 215 and welcome to MDRS for Crew 216. Anomalies in work: N/A Weather: Cold overnight, clear skies, light winds. Crew Physical Status: Healthy EVA: N/A. Science Dome Operations: N/A Reports to be file: Sol Summary Report, Operations Report, Green Hab Report, Journalist Report, Daily Photos. Support Requested: N/A

Crew 215 Sol Summary Report 21-NOV-2019
Sol: 11
Summary Title: Finishing up Experiments
Author’s name: Andrew Wheeler
Mission Status: Active
Sol Activity Summary: More overnight rain continued to leave the environs impassable but a strong wind in the early morning had things drying out. After the morning brief, more seedlings and seeds were planted in the Green Hab and, in the Science Dome, the making of gypsum tiles continued. The final tiles were completed in the afternoon and have been left out to dry. Just after lunch, the final emergency simulation was carried when a checklist-supported response was initiated for an injured crew member within the hab. It was successfully carried out and evaluated. Meanwhile, another test of the gypsum powder was devised when a small splint was manufactured and applied to a simulated broken index finger. Though it was applied before being fully set, the gypsum splint proved successful in immobilizing the finger for 2 hours before it was removed. A further 1.5ml of water was collected for testing as a basis for medical grade solutions. Dinner tonight was tortilla soup with fresh bread followed by chocolate pudding with jelly, fruit salad and peanut butter cookies.
Look Ahead Plan: Cleaning of staterooms and living areas, inventorying food and equipment and cleaning of the Science, Green Hab and RAM areas in preparation for end of rotation handover. Packing away of experiments and personal equipment.
Anomalies in work: N/A
Weather: Rain and clouds clearing, light winds.
Crew Physical Status: Healthy
EVA: N/A.
Reports to be file: Sol Summary Report, Operations Report, Science Report, Green Hab Report, Journalist Report, Daily Photos.
Support Requested: N/A

Crew 215 Sol Summary Report 20-NOV-2019
Sol: 10
Summary Title: Rain on Mars?
Author’s name: Andrew Wheeler
Mission Status: Active
Sol Activity Summary: Overnight rain made the environs impassable so all activities
were confined to the habs. In the Green Hab, pots were filled in preparation for more
seedlings and in the Science Dome, gypsum was heated and rehydrated to create cement
tiles that were set aside for drying and strength testing. There are only 10 more
planned for this expedition. In addition, the water liberated from the heating process
was captured and will be investigated for suitability as a basis for medical solutions.
Meanwhile, the main hab became a haven for report writing. The afternoon saw more
gypsum cement tiles were constructed and dinner approached. Tonight,it was a spicy
jambalaya followed by chocolate chip cookies and lime and pineapple jelly.
Look Ahead Plan: Plantings in the Green Hab, the final 10 gypsum cement tiles to be
created and set aside for drying and an actual gypsum plaster of paris milled for a
splint making demonstration.
Anomalies in work: Three false alarms with smoke detectors (caused by water/humidity).
Weather: Rain and clouds clearing, light winds.
Crew Physical Status: Healthy
EVA: N/A.
Reports to be file: Sol Summary Report, Operations Report, Science Report, Green Hab
Report, Journalist Report, Daily Photos.
Support Requested: N/A

Crew 215 Sol Summary Report 10-NOV-2019
Sol: 0
Summary Title: Crew 215 in residence
Author’s name: Andrew Wheeler

Mission Status: In the commissioning phase

Sol Activity Summary: Introducing Crew 215. Andrew Wheeler Crew Commander and Science Officer is an exploration geologist continuing sampling for the micrometeorite flux and use of gypsum as an ISRU analogue. Guy Murphy Green Hab Officer and Journalist is the Mars Society representative who will grow and nurture the crops and provide daily commentary including photos. Steve Whitfield Health and Safety Officer, from Griffith University, is a lecturer in paramedicine who will investigate health and well being in isolated communities. Jennifer Lane EVA coordinator is a Curtin University doctoral candidate in ‘Marsitecture’ and is investigating habitat design. Larissa Wilson Quartermaster of food and water stores is a mechanical engineering student at the University of Canterbury (NZ) evaluating acoustics, will be identifying and attenuating noise sources and levels. Shane Usher Crew Engineer and IT Officer is a chemist and chemical engineer from the University of Melbourne who will be evaluating communications, data management and information dissemination within closed systems. After introductions, later in the morning, we bid farewell to crew 214 members Dianne McGrath and Sandy Dance before spending the afternoon with the hab briefing, doffing and donning of space suits, egress, and ingress through the airlocks and operation of rovers. Finally, after a hot meal, we settled in to await our first dawn on Mars.

Look Ahead Plan: Reconnaissance EVA to the wash area south of Zubrin’s Head. Preparations for the setting out of the micrometeorite sampling grid.

Anomalies in work: N/A

Weather: Marginally below freezing overnight, no breeze, partly cloudy.

Crew Physical Status: Healthy

EVA: None

Reports to be file: Sol Summary Report, Operations Report, HS Report, GreenHab Report, EVA Request, Photos.

Support Requested: Nil

[title Sol Summary – November 19th]

[category Sol-Summary ]

Crew 215 Sol Summary Report 19-NOV-2019
Sol: 9
Summary Title: The last EVA
Author’s name: Andrew Wheeler
Mission Status: Active
Sol Activity Summary: Gypsum experimentation got underway with the first samples being heated for either 5 or 10 minutes, either mixed with sand or not, reconstituted with 4ml or 8ml of water and set to dry in trays. During these experiments it became clear that the liberated water (distilled water equivalent) could be used to create a saline solution for medical needs and that the fine grained gypsum was actual plaster of paris and could be used for its original medical purpose. The morning also saw the last EVA as we returned training rock specimens to their original collection locations west of White Rock Canyon along 1101 Road (519500E 4247300N). The afternoon saw further experimentation with the gypsum samples and potting of new seedlings in the Green Hab. The sol was rounded out with Taco Tuesday, and fruit jelly with chocolate pudding for desert.
Look Ahead Plan: More plantings in the Green Hab and a continuation of the gypsum cement investigations.
Anomalies in work: N/A.
Weather: Possible rain overnight and during the day, light winds.
Crew Physical Status: Healthy
EVA: Sample return. See EVA Report.
Reports to be file: Sol Summary Report, Operations Report, Science Report, EVA Report, Green Hab Report, Journalist Report, Daily Photos.
Support Requested: N/A