Category: Sol Summary

Crew 188 Sol Summary Report 30JAN2018

Sol 2

Summary Title: The Human Factor
Author’s name: Renee Garifi, MDRS Crew 188 Executive Officer Mission Status: On track

Sol Activity Summary:

We awoke this morning to a beautiful Martian sunrise and amazing view of the alien landscape out the port hole windows on the second floor of the hab. We held our daily planning conference over breakfast where we mapped out our plan for the day including EVA prep, research hardware set up and how best to accomplish our daily tasks. We also spent some time checking in with each crewmember to discuss factors affecting our health, stress and personal mission goals. We had a positive discussion and everyone felt heard, which is important to the leadership of this team.

We began EVA prep at 09:30 and sent 3 members of our team through the airlock to explore the Martian terrain while the 3 remaining crew set to work setting up research hardware in the greenhouse and science lab. The Artist in Residence and Crew Astronomer have been working all day to prepare a special 360 degree video of the Super Blue Blood Moon Eclipse which begins tonight. Our best viewing opportunity will begin at 04:44 am.

One very exciting event occurred after our EVA crew returned. We received a cargo shipment of our embroidered mission patches! This provided our crew with an unexpected morale boost and helped us feel that much more excited about carrying out a high fidelity analog mission worthy of an official crew mission patch.

Ad astra!
Renee Garifi
MDRS Crew 188 Executive Officer

Look Ahead Plan:
In the late evening/early morning tomorrow, all crewmembers will rise at 04:00 am to view the special astronomical mega event of the lunar eclipse of the January Blue Moon.

Anomalies in work:
MDRS Director is coordinating power system updates with contractors. Robotic observatory currently not functional. MDRS Astronomy lead working problem.

Weather:
A warm day on “Mars” with crewmembers getting quite a lot of sun on today’s EVA.

Crew Physical Status:
Crew are fighting fatigue and dehydration symptoms but are in good spirits.

EVA:
One EVA successfully completed today. We will not have an EVA tomorrow (31 January).

Reports to file:
1. Sol Summary
2. Operations Report
3. Journalist Report
4. EVA #3 Report
6. Daily Photos
7. Mission Summary
8. Green Hab Report
9. Creative Report

Support Requested: See Operations Report

Sol 1

Summary Title: Kicking up Martian Dust
Author’s name: Ryan L. Kobrick, Ph.D., MDRS Crew 188 Commander

Mission Status: All nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

The mission kicked off 1:01:01 local time after a morning of spacesuit training and navigational discussions of the exploration zone. As the terrain changes, each subsequent crew on the "red planet" adjusts to imposed closures of some roads, while other pathways open for exploration. The crew snapped team photos with four nations and four flags, (Canada, USA, Australia, and Japan), and with the one uniting Mars Red-Green-Blue flag.

The crew planned and executed two EVAs geared towards a technical shakedown of equipment and MDRS traditions located at "Marble Ritual". Three crewmembers on each EVA drove surface vehicles to a predetermined destination to make sure the surface suits were adjusted, vehicles driven suited (the ATVs and Rovers), and then on-foot exploration. Additionally, cameras, GPS units, biomedical devices, tablets, and specialized gloves were all tested in Martian analog conditions.

The relived to be underway the crew also realizes that the clock is ticking on their mission and there is a lot of data to collect and share. Things are just getting ramped up!

Spacesuit Up!
Ryan L. Kobrick, Ph.D.
MDRS Crew 188 Commander

Look Ahead Plan:
In the morning three crew members will explore the main superhighways to the North of hab. This will help ground truth critical waypoints, calibrate GPS equipment, familiarize the crew with the regions, and ensure safe exploration of all future EVAs. Crewmembers will be working on calibrating the telescope and 360 camera for the upcoming astronomical mega event of the lunar eclipse of the January Blue Moon.

Anomalies in work:
MDRS Director is coordinating power system updates with contractors.
Robotic observatory currently not functional. MDRS Astronomy lead working problem.

Weather:
A warm day on "Mars" with crewmembers comfortable on EVA.

Crew Physical Status:
The crew is learning how to combat dehydration in this new environment.

EVA:
Two EVAs completed with three crew on each.

Reports to file:
1. Sol Summary
2. Operations Report
3. Journalist Report
4. HSO Checklist
5. EVA Request for Sol 2
6. Daily Photos
7. Mission Summary
8. EVA 001 and EVA 002 Report
9. Green Hab Report

Support Requested:
None.

Crew 188 Sol 0 Summary Report 28JAN2018

Sol 0

Summary Title: Training for Mars
Author’s name: Ryan L. Kobrick, Ph.D., MDRS Crew 188 Commander
Mission Status: All nominal

Sol Activity Summary:
Today was a packed day starting with the early departure of Crew 187. The crew moved into the state rooms and conducted another water refill in the morning to Hanksville. Training with MDRS Director Shannon Rupert covered MDRS rules, philosophy, and key systems. The crew conducted an EVA test of the ATVs and Rovers in preparation for our simulation. The crew united by a common passion for sharing their experience has started sharing highlights with the common hashtag #MDRS188.

Spacesuit Up!
Ryan L. Kobrick, Ph.D.
MDRS Crew 188 Commander

Look Ahead Plan:
The crew will complete training tomorrow morning with the EVA spacesuit systems and general navigation of the local area. The "landing" and simulation will kick-off at approximately High Noon local time. The crew is planning two short EVAs with half the crew (3) on each. Each EVA will use hybrid driving/walking modes to familiarize the crew with nominal operations with the surface spacesuits. Reports and scientific projects will be prepared in the afternoon.

Anomalies in work:
MDRS Director is coordinating power system updates with contractors.
Robotic observatory currently not functional. MDRS Astronomy lead working problem.

Weather:
A beautiful day. Cool and clear.

Crew Physical Status:
Some dry air dehydration symptoms. See HSO Report.

EVA:
ATV/Rover training with Shannon.

Reports to file:
1. Sol Summary
2. Operations Report
3. Journalist Report
4. HSO Report
5. EVA Request
6. Daily Photos

Support Requested:
Creative request information will be coming.

Crew 187 Sol 15 Summary Report 27JAN2018

Sol 15

Summary Title: Beyond the Terra

Author’s name: Cynthia Fuertes Panizo

Mission Status: All nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

Hello Earth,

How much has the Earth changed since the Sol 1?

It’s hard to explain in words all the feelings. Sadness and happiness at the same time. Let’s explain to you what we did during our last day, then there will be time for farewells. Today we woke up at 07:30, we ate our last breakfast here on Mars, and started to clean all the Hab, the lower and the upper deck, the GreenHab, the science dome and the observatory. Every Martian was running around cleaning everything, keeping their things, cooking and so on. Then Dr. Ruppert came back to check everything. At 15:00, Atila, Danton and I went to welcome the Crew 188 from ISU… Welcome guys to Mars! We hope you really enjoy living here as much we did! When every Martian arrives at the Hab we did a tour for Crew 188 showing them the GreenHab, the science dome, the Musk observatory and everything here, our home. Later, Shannon visited us to explain to crew 188 how is living on Mars. Meanwhile, Danton flew his drone around the Hab to do the aerial 3D mapping. And, at 17:00, we teleport to Earth for eating hamburgers and chicken… Yummy! A long time ago that we didn’t eat terrestrial food. When we came back to Hab, we started to write the reports for capCom and we answered doubts that could have the crew 188. By the end of the night, crew 187 are together talking about our projects, our lives, and so on … as a Martian Family!

It’s time to say goodbye! This place was our home, our sweet home. We have a lot of good memories here on Mars. I was lucky to have as my crew, the best Martians in the Universe. It was an honor to be the commander of the crew 187. Every Martian was a key to survive to this great adventure that is to live on Mars. Atila, Luis, David, Oscar, Danton, and Tania… No matter wherever I stay, on Earth or on Mars, I will always love you. You are my Martian family! We are going to be now and forever: CREW 187 – LATAM II !!!

Ad Astra

Cynthia Fuertes Panizo

Commander Crew 187 – MDRS

Look Ahead Plan:

Arrive at Earth! See other people. And continue working on space issues.

Anomalies in work: None

Weather: Temperature: -3°C, Fair-weather, Winds speed: Calm, Humidity 36%, Barometer 30.43 in

Crew Physical Status: Healthy

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, GeenHab Report, Operations Report and Journalist Report.

Support Requested: None

Crew 187 Sol 14 Summary Report 26JAN2018

Sol 14

Summary Title: In the end

Author’s name: Cynthia Fuertes Panizo

Mission Status: All nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

Hello Earth,

How is everything going on there?

Stay on Mars, it’s a dream that every Martian has. It is funny and enjoyable to stay here but also tired. Today we woke up in different hours. By 09:30, every Martian was awake. We ate breakfast; then, Oscar, Danton, Tania and I were getting ready for the last adventure as Martians. At 10:35, we started our last exploration; this time we found the right way at once, we arrived at the unknown canyon at 11:45. Again… we are the first crew in there… That feeling is awesome!!! You can’t imagine that kind of sensation. We would like to give it a name. Despacito road and Porg canyon, because, we consider that the road is dangerous so you have to drive slowly (slowly in Spanish is Despacito). In addition, It’s important to mention that Porg is the official pet of the crew 187, he always stays with us in all the adventures; therefore, we would like to leave a mark of our official pet.

We strongly recommend you to go to Porg Canyon! And drive very slowly in Despacito road, it’s for your security! The view in Porg canyon is beautiful, it’s a geological rich area. Thanks Shannon for recommending us this place!

At 14:45, we were inside the Hab. One hour and a half later, well, exactly talking, at 16:10, the extraordinary EVA began, at 17:10, they came back to home.

Later, Danton fly the drone around the Hab to do the aerial 3D mapping. At 18:20, wow, the moment that none Martian wants to arrive, arrived!… From that time, we were out of sim! But we feel like we are still Martians, at least, we are going to feel it until we left the MDRS and come back to Earth.

Currently, every Martian is running doing reports and the Mission Summary. Later we are going to have our last dinner together as crew 187. Tomorrow we are going to receive the next crew… Crew 188, we hope that you enjoy staying on Mars as much as we did!

Ad Astra,

Cynthia Fuertes Panizo

Commander Crew 187 – MDRS

Look Ahead Plan:

Receive the next crew… Crew 188, you have less than 24 hours on Earth!… Tomorrow you will be on Mars! This place is amazing, and you can learn a lot of things from the MDRS, every Martian, the landscape, and so on!

Furthermore, we are planning to enjoy our last day on Mars!

Anomalies in work:

None

Weather: Temperature: -5°C, Fair-weather, Winds speed: ESE 8 KPH, Humidity 35%, Barometer 30.29 in

Crew Physical Status: Healthy

Today’s EVA:

Location: Porg Canyon

Duration: From 10:35 until 14:45

Purpose: Testing of long-range EVA protocols and testing the Guache rover.

Today’s Extraordinary EVA:

Location: Quary Rd

Duration: From 16:10 until 17:10

Purpose: Usage of rovers for battery discharge.

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, GeenHab Report, Operations Report, EVA Request, EVA Report, Astronomy Report, Journalist Report and Mission Summary.

Support Requested:

None

Crew 187 Sol 13 Summary Report 25JAN2018

Sol 13

Summary Title: Breaking the habits

Author’s name: Cynthia Fuertes Panizo

Mission Status: All nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

Hi Earth,

How is everything going on there?

Last night we went to see the starry sky of Mars; however, the cloudy sky did not allow us to observe the beautiful Martian sky. There are only a few days left on Mars, if it depends on us, we would stay on Mars for much longer. The fatigue is felt in the Martians; on Mars, the hours pass faster than Earth. We slept late talking, coordinating things, moving forward in our projects and so on. Today we woke up at different times, but at 9:30 we were all ready to take breakfasts. One hour later, the Martian explorers, Atila, Luis, Tania and David started their adventure. Our explorers arrived at Mountain Goat Trail when they realized that they were in the wrong way to Candor Chasma. Then, they came back almost to Galileo Road 104… OMG!… again! The Martian explorers, couldn’t find the right way, as yesterday, the third one is the defeated. Therefore, at 12:03, they arrived at the right point and walked for 100 minutes until they came back to the rovers.

Meanwhile, in the Hab, Danton, Oscar and I got ready for the gala dinner. Of course, the chef in charge of the kitchen was our Martian chef Oscar. Danton and I were in charge of the cleaning. When the Martian explorers arrived at the Hab, we ate lunch together. Later, David helped me taking pictures for my project. At 15:55, Tania, Luis and I were in the airlock ready for the Extraordinary EVA, we arrived until the intersection between White Moon and Factory Butte View before we came back to our Martian Home.

Currently, we are doing the reports for Capcom and getting ready for our gala dinner. Today our special guest is Dr. Ruppert, we hope she enjoys her visit in our home.

In 2 hours, we are planning to use the Celestron Telescope to see the Martian Sky. Unfortunately, yesterday we couldn’t see anything at night, the sky was cloudy.

Ad Astra,

Cynthia Fuertes Panizo

Commander Crew 187 – MDRS

Look Ahead Plan:

Working in our Martian projects.

Anomalies in work:

None

Weather: Temperature: 2°C, Fairweather, Winds speed: NNE 22.5 MPH, Humidity 47%, Barometer 29.81 in

Crew Physical Status: Healthy

Today’s EVA:

Location: Candor Chasma

Duration: From 10:35 until 14:10

Purpose: Testing of long-range EVA protocols and testing of temperature regulation vest.

Today’s Extraordinary EVA:

Location: Intersection between White Moon and Factory Butte View

Duration: From 15:55 until 17:00

Purpose: Usage of rovers for battery discharge.

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

Support Requested:

None

Crew 187 Sol 12 Summary Report 24JAN2018

Sol 12

Summary Title: Counting Stars

Author’s name: Cynthia Fuertes Panizo

Mission Status: All nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

Hello Earth!

How is everything going on?

We have a few days left on Mars. It’s amazing how fast the days pass when you’re comfortable in one place. We ate breakfast together while we speaking about the life and a lot of things. Later, we did the psychological tests of Danton’s project. Just before noon, our Martian explorers were ready to start their adventure. At 11:45, Atila, Oscar, David and Danton started their depressurization. Nine minutes later, they left the habitat and disappear in the horizon. At 12:30, the Martian explorers arrived at Quary Rd. Oscar’s rover was tested and Danton’s drone flew to make a 3D mapping of the area. Five minutes before 14 hrs, the Hab received the explorers and we ate a vegetarian lunch together, cooked by the Martian Chef, Oscar. At least for one day, we knew the feeling of eating as our favorite as our favorite Martian vegetarian, David.

In the afternoon, The Martians took a nap while Oscar was reading Artemis from Andy Weir and I was working on my project (programming and recognizing objects).

Before CapCom, the crew went to the observatory and use the Celestron telescope. The view of the moon and the Orion Nebula from Mars is wonderful. Currently, everybody is doing a report for CapCom, After the sign-off, we are going to come back to the Observatory to continue watching the starts from Mars, therefore, tomorrow wait for an Astronomy Report!

Ad Astra,

Cynthia Fuertes Panizo

Commander Crew 187 – MDRS

Look Ahead Plan:

Tomorrow, The Martian explorers are going to Candor Chasma Canyon. The lucky Martians are Atila, Tania, Luis and David. Meanwhile, Tania, Luis and I are going to Cowboy’s corner in the Extraordinary EVA.

Anomalies in work:

None

Weather: Temperature: 5°C, Fairweather, Winds speed: calm, Humidity 41%, Barometer 30.35 in

Crew Physical Status: Healthy

Today’s EVA:

Location: Quary Rd

Duration: From 11:45 until 13:55

Purpose: Usage of rovers for battery discharge, aerial mapping of terrain, testing of mid-range EVA protocols, testing Oscar’s rover.

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

Support Requested:

None

Sol Activity Summary:

Crew 187 Sol 11 Summary Report 23JAN2018

Sol 11

Summary Title: Space Odyssey

Author’s name: Cynthia Fuertes Panizo

Mission Status: All nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

Hello Earth!

Every day more in Mars feels more tired than the day before, but come on!… It’s tired to explore a new planet, to have a clean home here, to advance in our projects, and so on!

At 09:50, an earthling visited our home in Mars, bringing 300 gallons of diesel, which added to the 200 we already had, now, we have 500 gallons of diesel. Enough for the rest of our stay on Mars … Thanks Earth! At 10:00, Tania, Danton, Oscar and I started getting ready for today’s excursion. The adventure started at 10:35, we went driving in the main road until Special Region, where we realized that we were not in the place that we were supposed to be. Therefore, we came back… OMG! The entrance to Lith canyon is not very clear, so we were driving until the White Moon when we realized that we realized that we were not in the place that we were supposed to be… again! As it’s said in our homes in Earth, the third is the defeated one. So, this time we could find the right way to Lith Canyon, a way in the middle of desert. We were driving around 20 minutes after left the main road. When finally, around 12:15 we arrived to the final destiny the Commander, The HSO, EVA Officer and the journalist started the expedition to immerse inside Lith Canyon. At 14:45 finished the expedition and after that, at 15:05 the we stopped to take some data and recollect specimen of salt in the middle of way. At 15:25, we finally arrived at the hab without problems however with a delay of 30 minutes. When the first expedition arrived the second expedition with the Greenhab, XO and the Crew Engineer left the hab at 12:40 with the objective to test the curiosity, opportunity and Spirit rovers. The second crew arrived 16:50 to the hab without problems.

Moreover, it’s important to mention that David and Luis built and installed an alarm to prevent that the water tank exceeds its level. They used an ultrasound sensor, a nano arduino, a transistor and an horn of a damaged radio.

Finally, the crew decided to relax at the night to be ready for the next adventure.

Ad Astra,

Cynthia Fuertes Panizo

Commander Crew 187 – MDRS

Look Ahead Plan:

Tomorrow there will be a short excursion. Our Martian explorers are going to Special Region.

Anomalies in work:

It’s in the Sol Summary.

Weather: Temperature: 0°C, Fair weather, Winds speed: calm, Humidity 51%, Barometer 30.40 in

Crew Physical Status: Healthy

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

Support Requested:

None

Crew 187 Sol 10 Summary Report 22JAN2018

Sol 10

Summary Title: Bring it on home to me

Author’s name: Cynthia Fuertes Panizo

Mission Status: All nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

Houston… we have a problem!

Today we decided to wake up in order to rest for the EVA of today. Every Martian woke up in different hours. The majority of them were taking a breakfast at 08:15, but there is always someone who falls asleep and gets up late, at 9:30, and woke up only by the noise that made two earthlings who visited our home on Mars to fix the water heater and water filter. Due to this, 130 gallons of water were used today… Earth, we need more water to survive on Mars!

In the morning, Oscar was working in the programing phase of his project, and in the afternoon his rover was tested inside the tunnels. It’s magic how the rover can move through rocks, sands and can climb the tunnel’s walls. David and I were working in our projects in the Greenhab. Moreover, Atila is trying to fix the Science Dom’s door. At 10:35, every Martian were in the upper deck to help each other to prepare for the EVA of today. At 12:00, David, Atila, Luis and Danton were in the airlock ready for their adventure. However, at 12:47 Hab copied a radio signal from the Martian explorers. Due to the fact that Opportunity charger was getting down fast; in 18 minutes the battery got down more than 10% arriving until 64%. And prioritizing the safety of the crew’s members, it was decided to come back to the Hab. The decision taking was that the explorers got inside the Hab, ate a lunch, warmed up, and started again the EVA. Oscar cooked very quickly eggs with cheese for the Martian explorers of the day. For the second excursion, Deimos and two 350 ATV were being used. In the afternoon, Tania, Oscar and I cleaned the Kitchen and did a food inventory. We found some interesting food that we can eat in the following days. At 16:45 Hab didn’t know anything about the Martian explorers and we started to worry about it. At 16:56, Hab copied the first radio signal and we realized that every Martian was ok but something happened. At 14:50, the Martian explorers arrived to Copernicus Hwy. The Martians described the view as the best landscape that they have ever seen in their lives. At 13:50, the Martian explorers were ready to come back to home. At 16:45 Deimos stoped and the Martian worked together using jumping cables to tow Deimos, that’s why they arrived to Hab at 18:20. At 17:45, Shannon found the Martian explorers and helped them to solve the problem.

The day was a really crazy day… but come on! We are on Mars! We are Martians! And the important thing is that we knew how to solve it!

Ad Astra,

Cynthia Fuertes Panizo

Commander Crew 187 – MDRS

Look Ahead Plan:

We hope to have another adventure for tomorrow… We are going to Lith Canyon! The lucky Martians are Oscar, Tania, Cynthia and Danton.

Anomalies in work:

It’s the Sol Summary.

Crew Physical Status: Healthy

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, GeenHab Report, Operations Report, EVA Request, Science Report, Astronomy Report and Journalist Report.

Support Requested:

Please send us more jumping cables and a refill of water.

Crew 187 Sol 9 Summary Report 21JAN2018

Sol 9

Summary Title: Zombie

Author’s name: Cynthia Fuertes Panizo

Mission Status: All nominal

Sol Activity Summary:

Is there someone in Earth?

This day we decided not to do the exercises and start the day late, so at 8:15 we ate breakfast and every Martian started to work in their project, our alarm was delayed an hour. The tiredness begins to be noticed because the naps are more common between meals. At 11:00 our Martian chef, Danton, started to cooked a delicious food: Chicken with cheese, pasta and vegetables. We ate together before the expedition began. At 11:30, Tania, David, Luis and Oscar started the donning time. They took Opportunity and Spirit for this adventure… It’s supposed that they were going to work in El Dorado Canyon, but it was a confusion with the location so they visited a near canyon. However, they took some samples of the halophiles needed. The path that they follow was bent. The canyon that the Martians explorers visited combines a wide variety of landscapes, from rocks up to 5 meters high, which route land for an approximate of 500 meters between ascents and descents and with different types of soil and frozen water remains.

By 15:00, our chef Danton started to cooked a second lunch for our Martian explorers, a delicious soup and scrambled eggs with chili. They arrived at 15:20 to our home. And 25 minutes later we started to eat together… again!

In the afternoon, we got a refill of 125 gallons from the water (trailer). Now we have water for the rest of our lives in Mars, or at least, we hope so.

David is replanting 12 quinua’s plants on the lysimeter for his project. Meanwhile, I get an advanced programing my augmented reality mobile application. And, as always, Tania is documenting everything for her project.

For dinner, Atila is trying to cook a surprise Martian dinner…. Everybody is waiting to taste it!

Ad Astra,

Cynthia Fuertes Panizo

Commander Crew 187 – MDRS

Look Ahead Plan:

Another EVA is going to take place. The lucky ones are Luis, Atila, David and Danton. They are going to Copernicus Hwy.

Anomalies in work:

None

Weather: Temperature: -1°C, Fair weather, Winds speed: NNE 8 KPH, Humidity 43%, Barometer 30.22 in

Crew Physical Status: Healthy

Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, GeenHab Report, Operations Report, EVA Request, EVA Report and HSO Report.

Support Requested:

Please sent us distillated water.