Category: Sol Summary

Crew 216 Sol Summary Report 29-NOV-19
Sol: 5
Summary Title: Catch up day
Author’s name: Marc Levesque
Mission Status: Active
Sol Activity Summary: The crew took advantage of the windy and wet weather that included snow to catch up on indoor activities and more importantly, rest. Filming continued for Evgenia’s project, Andrew worked on the gypsum project, Michael spent time developing a GreenHab checklist, while others caught up on graduate research papers, completed household chores, or napped.
Look Ahead Plan: An EVA will be requested for tomorrow afternoon after the ground has a chance to dry out to check out the potential north repeater site that was not reached on Wednesday. We will also tend to some household chores in anticipation of the Roker film crew arriving on Sunday.
Anomalies in work: N/A.
Weather: Cold and wet overnight.
Crew Physical Status: Healthy
EVA: N/A
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary Report, Commander Report, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Research Report, and Photos.
Support Requested: None

Crew 216 Sol Summary Report 27-NOV-19
Sol: 3
Summary Title: More work on communications, film, and drone projects
Author’s name: Marc Levesque
Mission Status: Active
Sol Activity Summary: We conducted two EVAs today to continue work on the communications, filming, and drone projects. In the morning, Mike, Andrew, Evgenia, and I hiked to two potential repeater sites, one of which was used before. We ran out of time to visit the third and plan to visit it next week, but Evgenia was able to continue with her filming project. In the afternoon, Rich, Michael, and Evgenia drove south to complete yesterday’s EVA that was truncated by communication issues. This also allowed Evgenia and Michael to capture more footage.
Look Ahead Plan: We will conduct one EVA to perform rover cleaning if weather permits.
Anomolies in work: N/A.
Weather: Cold and clear overnight.
Crew Physical Status: Healthy
EVA: Two EVAs conducted.
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary Report, Commander Report, Operations Report, Astronomy Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Research Report, EVA Report, and Photos.
Support Requested: Trash pick up in rear airlock

Crew 216 Sol Summary Report 27-NOV-19
Sol: 3
Summary Title: More work on communications, film, and drone projects
Author’s name: Marc Levesque
Mission Status: Active
Sol Activity Summary: We conducted two EVAs today to continue work on the communications, filming, and drone projects. In the morning, Mike, Andrew, Evgenia, and I hiked to two potential repeater sites, one of which was used before. We ran out of time to visit the third and plan to visit it next week, but Evgenia was able to continue with her filming project. In the afternoon, Rich, Michael, and Evgenia drove south to complete yesterday’s EVA that was truncated by communication issues. This also allowed Evgenia and Michael to capture more footage.
Look Ahead Plan: We will conduct one EVA to perform rover cleaning if weather permits.
Anomolies in work: N/A.
Weather: Cold and clear overnight.
Crew Physical Status: Healthy
EVA: Two EVAs conducted.
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary Report, Commander Report, Operations Report, Astronomy Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Research Report, EVA Report, and Photos.
Support Requested: Trash pick up in rear airlock

Crew 216 Sol Summary Report 28-NOV-19
Sol: 4
Summary Title: Holiday on Mars
Author’s name: Marc Levesque
Mission Status: Active
Sol Activity Summary: A morning EVA cleaned the rovers which had become quite muddy from several EVAs accomplished during the hectic first three days of activity. Following that, the crew focused on preparing a lavish-for-Mars sit down dinner that featured roasted chicken and potatoes, stuffing, biscuits, and two fruit pies, with the blueberry/apple taking top prize.

Look Ahead Plan: Anticipated wet weather will curtail any EVA plans, but it will provide an opportunity for filmed interviews of crew members.

Anomalies in work: N/A.
Weather: Cold and windy overnight.
Crew Physical Status: Healthy
EVA: One EVA conducted.
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary Report, Commander Report, Operations Report, GreenHab Report, Journalist Report, Research Report, EVA Report, and Photos.
Support Requested: None

[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