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EVA Report – November 23rd

EVA #1 Report

Today we conducted an out-of-sim EVA to the Dinosaur Quarry area, starting at approximately 3:00 PM. Ashton, Toluwa, Jordan, and I went on this EVA, each of us on our own ATV. The main purpose of today’s EVA was to drive the Blue 300 ATV longer than 5 km, so that its battery could recharge.

Before we set out, we did our ATV / Rover training, which lasted for about 20 minutes. Then we had to jumpstart the Blue 300 ATV, which had a low battery. By about 3:00 PM, we had the blue ATV running and ready to go. It took approximately 15-20 minutes for us to get there.

Once we arrived, I had a bit of a scare trying to restart the Blue ATV. It wouldn’t start at all! Then I realized that it was still in High. So I switched it to neutral and it started without any problem.

We spent over an hour in this area, following the canyon from the quarry site until we ended up in Lith Canyon, at the site where my EVA for crew 182 was conducted. We passed by one of the sites where I previously took regolith samples from. Just around the corner from this site was a large pile of petrified wood. Amazingly, these specimens look like fresh kindling wood, ready for the fireplace.

By around 4:30 PM, we made our way back to the ATVs, drove back to the hab, and returned by approximately 4:50 PM.

Have a great night Mission Support!

Prepared by Brandon Ferguson

EVA Officer

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GreenHab Report – November 23rd

Sol 1 – 23/11/2017

Green Hab Officer Jordan Bowden

Average temperature:

Time – – – 19:50
Temperature inside (°C) – – – 19 C
Temperature outside (°C) – – – 7 C
% Humidity – – – 19 %

Changes to crops:  N/A – First day of mission

Daily water usage for crops: 3 Gallons

Time(s) of watering for crops:  19:50

Daily watering and amount of water used: 2.5

Narrative: We received our orientation late this morning, and as such I’ve only begun my work in the Greenhab. It’s an exciting place though: previous crew have left a growing crop of tomatoes, radishes, beans, and other crops. I was advised to use four gallons of water per day, but I only used 2.5 gallons, as the crops appeared to be well watered in the morning.

When I checked its status of the Greenhab at 19:50, the heater was not heating – not sure if it is supposed to be online at this time. It was working earlier today when checked at 12:00. In the end I sorted out that the thermostat was set to ~60 F. Please advise what the appropriate temperature should be.

I’m here mainly as a 3D Printing specialist – I’m wondering if there are any components to improve the work in the Greenhab that I could create?

Have a wonderful night everyone, I’m looking forward to another beautiful day on Mars.

All the best,

Jordan Bowden

Posted on

Operations Report – November 23rd

Operations Report

Crew 183 Operations Report – 23 Nov 2017

SOL: 1

Name of person filing report:  Ashton Stoop

Non-nominal systems:

WATER HEATER: Water heater is still not installed. Hopefully this will be put into place soon.

Generator—  The generator has been turned on at 18:10.

READING FROM 23 NOV 2017

TIME

SOC READINGS

9:20

100%

12:20

100%

15:20

78%

18:10

62%

19:20

62%

20:05

62%

Diesel – 63 %

Oil Pressure: 47.5 PSI

Propane – 43% volume

Gasoline (5 Gallon containers for ATV) – 1 gallons.

Water (trailer) –  0 gallons

Water (static) – 40 gallons

Trailer to Static Pump used –   no

Water (loft) – Static to Loft Pump used –  yes

Water Meter:  47 gallons

Toilet tank emptied:  no

ATV’s Used: Yes

Oil Checked:  No

Atv Fuel Used Gals:  3  gallons

Tires Status: Perfect

# Hours the ATVs were Used today: 2 hours

Deimos used:  Yes

Hours: 0.5 hours

Beginning charge:  100%

Ending charge:  –

Currently charging: No

HabCar used? No

Notes and Comments:
The door to the Science Dome was not closing properly. The metal latch had been bent and was no longer sliding and latching the door. I was able to bend the metal back into place and the latch is now operational again.

We are having some issues with the power system. At 18:10 the SOC was at 62%. The generator was then turned on, but after 2.6 hours of using the generator, the SOC is still at 62%. My first thought is simply that it’s not reading correctly, but I am slightly concerned that it’s not charging properly.

Summary of GreenHab operations:

The GreenHab is looking in pretty good shape. There is a red wheelbarrow which has yet to be assembled. The axel is long enough to house the wheels, and all the parts are present, however there are protruding metal sleeves covering part of the axel. If this metal could be removed, then the wheels would easily slide on.

Summary of ScienceDome operations:

N/A

Summary of health and safety issues:

The carbon monoxide detector is not working, even with new batteries it won’t turn on.

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support:

-We are going to need gasoline for the ATVs ASAP.

-We need to figure out this whole power system.

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Sol Summary – November 22nd

Sol Summary Report

November 22, 2017

A quiet day is a good day on Mars

Shannon Rupert, MDRS Director

Mission Status: Good.  Crew 183 has arrived and will begin their
one-week mission tomorrow.

Sol Activity Summary: We spent the morning and much of the afternoon
cleaning the Hab.  Late in the afternoon, we both took a break and did
a little exploration. Crew 183 arrived at the station at 7:30 pm.

Look Ahead Plan: Training tomorrow for Crew 183.

Anomalies in work:  Out of sim.

Weather:  Calm, sunny and wonderfully warm.

Crew Physical Status:  We are both fine.  I personally am very tired tonight.

EVA: Brandon went exploring to the south this afternoon, and I went
north to the southernmost branch of Tank Wash.  It was amazing.

Reports to be file: Sol Summary and Operations Report.

Support Requested: Will someone be standing by to add the crew to the
Mission Support eList?  I’m worried because it is Thanksgiving.

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Operations Report – November 22nd

Crew 182+ Operations Report  22NOV2017

SOL: n/a

Name of person filing report: Shannon Rupert

Non-nominal systems: Lower deck wall heater is now operational, but
forced air furnace continues to alternate between warm and cool air.

I keep forgetting to report than the porthole came out of the main
airlock again.

Notes on non-nominal systems: nothing to report

Generator (hours run): Ran until 9 am, then off until 5:45 pm

Solar— SOC 97 % when generator was turned on

Diesel –  not checked %

Propane –  not checked psi.

Ethanol Free Gasoline (5 Gallon containers for ATV) –   0 gallons.

Water (trailer) –  0 gallons.

Water (static) –  350 gallons

Trailer to Static Pump used –  no

Water (loft) – Static to Loft Pump used –  not known

Water Meter:  not checked

Toilet tank emptied: Yesterday

ATV’s Used: (Honda, 300, 350.1, 350.2, 350.3) 350 s moved to their normal place

Oil Added? no

ATV Fuel Used:  not known Gals

# Hours the ATVs were Used today: 5 min

Notes on ATVs: The 300’s battery is low, did not jump today.

Deimos rover used:  yes

Hours:

Beginning charge:

Ending charge:

Currently charging: yes

Sojourner rover used:  ASSIGNED TO DIRECTOR, not yet ready

Hours:

Beginning charge:

Ending charge:

Currently charging: yes

Spirit rover used:  Not yet ready

Hours:

Beginning charge:

Ending charge:

Currently charging: no

Opportunity rover used:  not yet ready

Hours:

Beginning charge:

Ending charge:

Currently charging: no

Curiosity rover used:  no yet ready

Hours:

Beginning charge:

Ending charge:

Currently charging: no

HabCar used? Yes, hauled 100 gallons of water and emptied the 100
gallons Brandon got yesterday

General notes and comments: Cleaning day

Summary of internet: not known

Summary of suits:  I checked all of them today.  Two more chargers not
functional.  Unfortunately one of the helmets was cracked in such a
way that it will not be repairable.  Removed from service.  One of the
backpacks is missing one of the two straps that hold the collar on the
frame.

Summary of Hab operations: Brandon and I cleaned the Hab.  It took all
morning and then some.  Looking good now.

Summary of GreenHab operations:  Watered.  Used 4 gallons.  Removed
hose from frost free faucet.  Crews should get water from faucet
without hose from now until spring to prevent freeze up.  I’ve been
thinking I may get the 55 gallon drum from town to keep water in
inside the GreenHab.  It might also increase humidity, which seems to
stay around 16 %.

Summary of ScienceDome operations: Nothing to report.

Summary of RAMM operations:  Nothing to report.

Summary of health and safety issues:  We are safe and we are healthy.

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support:  Nothing, thank you.

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Sol Summary – November 20th

Sol Summary Report

November 20, 2017

…and new civilizations…

Shannon Rupert, MDRS Director

Mission Status: Still not in sim.  Still just Brandon and I although
we had many visitors today working on the preparations for the arrival
of the RAMM, our new repair and maintenance module, which lands on
station at 10 am tomorrow.

Sol Activity Summary:  I spent some time in the GreenHab this morning,
and this afternoon Brandon and I parted ways: he went to explore Coal
Mine Wash and then got water and I went to the canyon I discovered
last winter and explored.  I found evidence of a drying inland sea and
Brandon found the pond was already frozen in Coal Mine Wash.  He also
found the overlook on Skyline Rim.

Look Ahead Plan:  RAMM arrives, we clean and prep for Crew 183.  I
just realized that Crew 183 won’t be here tomorrow but rather the next
day. But I also just today realized that this week is Thanksgiving in
the US, so my timeline is all messed up!

Anomalies in work:  Other than not being in sim, it was just another
day on Mars.

Weather:  Calm, sunny and cold…again.

Crew Physical Status:  We are both fine.

EVA: Brandon out of sim in the HabCar to Coal Mine Wash, me in rover
to Discovery Canyon (for lack of a better name).

Reports to be file: Sol Summary and Operations Report.  No photos.

Support Requested: None at this time.

Posted on

Operations Report – November 20th

Crew 182+ Operations Report  20NOV2017

SOL: n/a

Name of person filing report: Shannon Rupert

Non-nominal systems: same as yesterday, except the generator is
running well again

Notes on non-nominal systems:  Generator run all night last night, so
we don’t know if the last failure was due to the diesel or needing
oil.

Generator (hours run): 24

Solar— SOC 100 %

Diesel –  63 %

Propane –  not known psi.

Ethanol Free Gasoline (5 Gallon containers for ATV) –   0 gallons.

Water (trailer) –  0 gallons.

Water (static) –  150 gallons (Brandon is currently bringing 100
gallons but we will need to make a couple more trips tomorrow.

Trailer to Static Pump used –  no

Water (loft) – Static to Loft Pump used –  not known

Water Meter:  not checked

Toilet tank emptied: not that I know of

ATV’s Used: (Honda, 300, 350.1, 350.2, 350.3) All 5 were moved to make
space for the big equipment preparing for the RAMM’s arrival tomorrow

Oil Added? no

ATV Fuel Used:  0Gals

# Hours the ATVs were Used today: 5 min each

Notes on ATVs: The 300’s battery is low, will need to jump it tomorrow

Deimos rover used:  yes

Hours:

Beginning charge:

Ending charge:

Currently charging: yes

Sojourner rover used:  ASSIGNED TO DIRECTOR, not yet ready

Hours:

Beginning charge:

Ending charge:

Currently charging: yes

Spirit rover used:  Not yet ready

Hours:

Beginning charge:

Ending charge:

Currently charging: no

Opportunity rover used:  not yet ready

Hours:

Beginning charge:

Ending charge:

Currently charging: no

Curiosity rover used:  no yet ready

Hours:

Beginning charge:

Ending charge:

Currently charging: no

HabCar used? Yes

General notes and comments:  The new rovers need to be put together
and the seats modified (except for Sojourner).  Not yet started on
this project.  Will charge the other three tomorrow.

Summary of internet:  Internet was upgraded at Shannon’s, but the
phone does not work properly.  Internet seems as good as before it
went bad, but not blindingly faster even with the upgrade.  Wifi is
turned off to this service.  Hab internet is good.

Summary of suits:  n/a, not used

Summary of Hab operations: The forced air furnace is still
periodically blowing cold air.  Need to clean the filter tomorrow then
order some as soon as possible to see if that is the problem.

Summary of GreenHab operations:  I moved the beans to the wooden bench
and provided cages for their continued growth.  Other plants were
organized.  I prepped 10 pots for moringa seeds.  Ordered further
supplies: timer for lights, environmental monitor, herb and lettuce
seeds with planters

Summary of ScienceDome operations: Ordered two floor lamps for evening
light.  We will have to clean the lab tomorrow as it is not in
changeover condition.

Summary of RAMM operations:  The area was leveled and the swale was
dug so that water will go around the building during rain and runoff.
The RAMM left California this evening and will be onsite at 10 am.  It
will be lowered onto a railroad tie frame to keep it off the ground.

Summary of health and safety issues:  Nothing to report

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support:  Nothing, thank you.

Posted on

Sol Summary – November 19th

Sol Summary Report

November 19, 2017

Seek out new worlds…

Shannon Rupert, MDRS Director

Mission Status: We are not in sim. Brandon and I are the only two
here.  Les and his team departed early.  We are awaiting Crew 183 on
Tuesday, when they will begin their one-week mission.

Sol Activity Summary:  We did some map/road checking today, exploring
road 1574 and Cactus Road.  Updates will be in my soon to be released
guide to MDRS roads.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow HudgesNet comes to fix my service and we
begin work on the pad for the new RAMM, which will be installed on
campus on Tuesday.  I will also order winter blend diesel, because I
believe it is now cold enough that the summer mix is what shut down
the generator last night.  We also need to get water, ethanol free gas
and work on the new rovers.

Anomalies in work:  Not a sim day.  Generator did not run all night,
but has run all day.  I suspect the summer blend diesel is the issue.
Tried to get lower deck heater to work this morning but it did not.
Will continue troubleshooting.  Water was frozen in the am but thawed
by noon.  We need to get the tank and pipes insulated soon.  I will
contact the contractor.

Weather:  Calm, sunny and cold.

Crew Physical Status:  We are both fine.

EVA: Out of sim EVA to check out northern routes.

Reports to be file: Sol Summary and Operations Report, which was sent
earlier today.  No photos will be sent.

Support Requested: NOTICE:  Effectively immediately and until I say
differently in the spring, the heater at the Hab will stay on as
follows:

Temperature 72 degrees

Fan on auto

Heater on ON

The controller should not be adjusted at all by any crew.  When you
adjust it, we lose the heater and it just blows cold air, but if you
just leave it alone, it works perfectly.  If the crew is cold, they
should turn on the secondary heater (once I get it running!)

Please find out what type of filter the heater uses and let me know so
I can order some.  Thank you.

Posted on

Operations Report – November 19th

Crew 182+ Operations Report 19NOV2017

SOL: n/a

Name of person filing report: Shannon Rupert

Non-nominal systems: water heater, lower deck electrical outlets, one
suit charger, generator, Hab water system, front airlock window, top
hatch

Notes: Water heater needs to be replaced. It was supposed to be
replaced two Mondays ago, but when the contractor came to do it, the
crew did not open the door

Lower deck electrical outlets: Electrician is being hired to look at this.

Suit charger: Broken by crewmember. An additional three suit chargers
were not working when the suits were delivered. Contacting NorCal
regarding replacement.

Generator failed in the night. Believed to be low oil. Will monitor.

Last night when I went into the Hab, the water pump was running
non-stop and the system was empty. After I refilled the tank to ½ and
troubleshooted, I determined that someone just ran the system dry. I
reprimed the lines and the pump began functioning normally.

The front airlock windown came out this summer, and during the refit
and again the night before last. Need to find a way to secure it.

The new top hatch is not secure in high winds. Need to find a way to secure it.

Generator— Turned off yesterday am at 8 am, turned on last night at 6
pm, failed during the night, was restarted after adding oil at 7:45
am. SOC was at 61% so I’m going to let it run all day. We need to
replace the summer blend with a winter blend and we did not use the
amount of fuel we thought we would because the generator was out of
service all summer. Note: only use the generator specific oil.

Solar— SOC was at 61% this morning. Will monitor throughout the day.

Diesel – 65%

Propane – n/a psi. Amerigas was contacted and propane was ordered.

Ethanol Free Gasoline (5 Gallon containers for ATV) – 0 gallons. Note
this should be rewritten on the template as Ethanol Free gas. This is
the only gas that should go in the ATVs. It is only available at
Stan’s Chevron. In addition, the only oil that should go in the ATVs
is an ATV specialty oil.

Water (trailer) – 0 gallons.

Water (static) – ~ 200 gallons

Trailer to Static Pump used – no

Water (loft) – Static to Loft Pump used – yes

Water Meter: n/a

Toilet tank emptied: no (at least not by me)

ATV’s Used: All ATVs except the 300 were used today. All 5 have been
serviced and repaired for the season. The 300 still needs its parking
brake repaired, parts are on order. The 350s all have new seats so
none of the machines has a ripped seat. We will be using one today.

Oil Checked: no

Atv # Fuel Used Gals: Not none. We will go get gas toady.

Tires Status: Fine

# Hours the ATVs were Used today:

Deimos used: Yes

Hours: nor reported

Beginning charge:

Ending charge:

Currently charging: yes

HabCar used? Yes. We got one load of water in it today.

Notes and Comments: The four new rovers are charged but still need to
be put together and their seats modified. Progress will be reports as
I get to them.

We are using so much less water with the new toilet.

Summary of internet: Also needs to be added to template. Not sure
about Hab’s internet.

Summary of suits: This needs to be added to the template. All suits
are operational, 6 suits in EVA room. Two exploration suits in EVA
room, only one charger. Prototype exploration suit in EVA room. Two
exploration suits in Science Dome with no working chargers. I found a
bottle of soda lime on the stirrer in the lab and it was on. I turned
it off (hope it wasn’t Brandon’s, just thought about this).

Summary of Hab operations: Noted several failed systems and they are
noted above. The cement pad out the rear airlock needs some serious
cleaning.

Summary of GreenHab operations: Heating at 50 degrees F. It’s lovely
in there. Plants are looking good. Hose has a leak and freezes at
night. Needs to be modified to a very short hose that is taken in
every night or water taken directly from freeze free faucet. Crews
need to be sure they push the level all the way down and use it daily
to prevent freezing. Caution should be taken to not spill any water
on the ground as it will turn to dangerous ice,

Summary of ScienceDome operations: The lab is pretty much a mess.
Brandon is still doing his work, but lab will require cleaning before
next crew. Shop vac was not used nor put together.

Summary of health and safety issues: Still need alarms, will check to
be sure they were ordered.

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support: Please update
this template with the additions indicated. Thank you.

Posted on

Crew 182 – End of Mission Summary

Team Peru V:

Commander/ Green Hab/ Health and Safety Officer: Atila Meszaros (Peru)

Executive Officer/ Crew Journalist/ Scientist: Camila Castillo (Peru)

Engineer Officer: Carmen Atauconcha (Peru)

EVA Officer/ Crew Geologist: Brandon Fergurson (USA)

Crew member: Julio Rezende (Brazil)

Crew 182

 

The Mars Society Peru Chapter sent Team Peru V (Crew 182), conformed by a multidisciplinary group. Their rotation was scheduled for November 4th (the day Carmen ate those burgers without us) – 18th 2017.  The main goal of the crew was to develop research in their different fields at the MDRS, achieving their specific goals. The multidisciplinary approach of the crew proved to be valuable during the mission.

 

During the mission, the following research activities took place at MDRS:

 

  1. Effect of Streptomyces sp. Isolated from mineral cultures on radish plant development in analog martian soil: Soil was collected around the MDRS location to use it for radish crops. The strain used at the inoculation was isolated from mineral cultures, which are also an extreme environment. The main objective is to prove the effect of this strain in crops in martian analog soil. The main goal of this research was unachieved, but soil samples will be taken to Lima (Peru) for further experiments.

 

  1. Resistance of Peruvian Altiplano’s crops to martian analog soil: Soils with different compositions where collected on the surroundings of MDRS and on the Salt Wash Member of the Morrison Formation in order to prove the resistance of Peruvian crops and mustard (as control) to mars analog soil. The main goal of the project wasn’t achieved, mostly because an incident during #7 EVA. However, the research will continue on Lima (Peru) using the martian analog soil and two more altiplano’s seeds.

 

  1. Incidence of consumption of kiwicha cookies in the loss of muscle mass that people living in the analog of Mars experiment: I prepared cookies of kiwicha on Peru, kiwicha is an andin grain that has enormous amounts of protein. Because of this characteristic of the kiwicha grain, my cookies have 10% of protein per portion. During the time that I spend in the rotation, I had to take notes of the mass muscle index. So, I gave the cookies to half of the crew, two units per day. Also, every 4 days I took notes of their weight. With this data, I am going to compare the data of the crew member that ate the cookies and the ones that do not ate the kiwicha cookies.

 

  1. Properties and Composition of Mars Analog Regolith at MDRS: Regolith samples were collected from different areas within the MDRS area. The study focuses specifically on the Morrison geologic formation. The majority of the samples are from the brushy basin member of this formation. The goal of the project is to classify the soil properties including: soil texture, classification, and composition. The project will continue during the next week.

 

  1. Sustainability in Mars research stations and extraplanetary settlements: This research searches to answer the question: The Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) operation can be more sustainable? It is evaluated how environmental, economic, social and personal sustainability issues are presented in the research station and how the MDRS activities would collaborate to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), proposing some guidelines to sustainability. It is also important to ask: the results related to Mars would be applied to build a self-sustainable habitat in Earth, mainly in areas affected by climate change, as deserts and semiarid regions as can be seen in Brazilian Northeast (Habitat Marte)? Reviewing the previous research done at MDRS not was identified any research related to sustainability. Because of that, this research presented a high impact to MDRS and Mars research. It is a challenger identifies the main dimensions that would be considered to evaluates a Mars research station in terms of sustainability: this is the great relevance of this research for the future design of Mars settlements.