Mars Desert Research Station

Geologist Report – March 26th

Crew 177 Geologist & HSO Report

My name is Caleb Li and my roles in Crew 177 are the geologist and Health Safety Officer. Today is our first day to have EVA, and we did EVA orientation with four crew members in the morning and the other four members in the afternoon. We learned how to operate the radio and GPS connection, drive ATVs safely, observe the variation of the rock and landscape, collect the rock samples, and take pictures. It is fun and very interesting to put on the space suit and experience the astronaut’s feelings.

Caleb Li

Sol Summary – March 26th

MDRS Daily Summary Report for SOL 1

Person filing out Report: Esteban Ramirez

Summary Title: Crew 177 Enters Mars

Mission Status: Hard at work

Sol Activity Summary: Unpacking, organizing supplies, EVA, generator related tasks, rover related tasks

Look Ahead Plan: EVA, handle water issue

Anomalies in work: Nothing out of the ordinary

Weather: Sunny, clear skies

Crew Physical Status: Crew is healthy

Reports to be filled:

-Operations Report

-Commanders Report

-EVA Report

-EVA Request

EVA Report – March 26th

Crew 177 EVA#1 Report 26Mar2017

Filled by: Otsmar Villarroel, Commander.

Crew members: Commander Otsmar Villarroel, Astronomer and Green Hab Keeper Esteban Ramirez, Biologist and Photographer Pitchayapa Jingjit, Geologist and HSO Caleb Li
Location:
12 N 518172 4250624
12 N 518832 4251144
12 N 518911 4251602
12 N 518535 4253343
12 N 518158 4253775
12 N 517738 4254864
Time: departure at 11:15 pm. Estimated return at 1:45 pm

Duration: 2 hours and 30 Approximately
Vehicles: 2 ATV’s and 1 Rover

Purposes:
Orientation EVA: Teach students about sample collecting, navigation, and communication. Also identify major landmarks to get bearings and provide some geological background about the area.

Goal: Complete the Orientation EVA.

Summary:

We started the EVA a little late than planned due some delays while getting ready and the presence of Crew 176. Not a big deal however. We went to locations to specifically look at ancient sand dunes, mass wasting, desert pavement, a hoodoo, an active creek bed, and gypsum fields. We were able to see some fossilized bivalves in the creek bed, and were delighted at the numerous amounts of gypsum at the gypsum fields.

—————————————–

Report filled by Otsmar Villarroel

Crew 177 EVA#2 Report March 26, 2017

Crew members: Co-Commander and Astronomer Becky Parker, Geologist and Engineer Elijah Espinoza, Chemist and XO Victoria LaBarre, Chemist Joseph Quaas.

Locations:
12 N 518172 4250624 (sand dunes)
12 N 518832 4251144 (mass wasting)
12 N 518911 4251602 (desert pavement)
12 N 518535 4253343 (hoodoo)
12 N 518158 4253775 (creek bed)
12 N 517738 4254864 (gypsum fields)

Duration: 2 hours and 30 Approximately
Vehicles: 2 ATV’s and 1 Rover
Purpose: Orientation EVA. Teach students about sample collecting, navigation, and communication. Also identify major landmarks to get bearings and provide some geological background about the area.

Summary:

We started the EVA a little late than planned due group 1 EVA delay. We went to locations to specifically look at ancient sand dunes, mass wasting, desert pavement, a hoodoo, an active creek bed, and gypsum fields. We were able to see some fossilized bivalves in the creek bed, and were delighted at the numerous amounts of gypsum at the gypsum fields.

Commander Report – March 26th

Crew 177 Commander’s Report 26 March 2017 Otsmar Villarroel Commander Report

26 March 2017 Sol 1

Today we officially entered sim at approximately 10:40 am after saying goodbye to the Poland Crew 176. After getting the space suits on and following the pressurization protocols, at about 1115 local time first EVA group left the HAB to complete their day’s EVA 1 duties. We conducted two orientation EVAs. First group was led by Otsmar Villarroel while second group by Becky Parker. Both EVA groups (morning and afternoon) gained experience driving ATVs as well as using GPS navigation while staying in sim. Also both EVAs focus on helping orient crew members to their surroundings, learn major landmarks along the main ATV road Besides discovering the presence of another form of life other than us on this planet- Martian cows- crew members observed:

Ancient sand dunes
• Caprock erosion from wind and water (mass wasting)
• A mushroom shaped hoodoo
• A creek bed exhibiting signs of efflorescence
• A field of gypsum bordering a substantial quantity of bivalve fossils

During EVA 1, the crew remaining in the hab cleaned and organized the hab, completed and updated the food inventory and took care of lunch. Also, both Elijah and Victoria started assembling their rover after taking it apart for travel. The crew came together for lunch.

Second group left the HAB at 1510 local time. During EVA 2, the crew remaining inside the hab worked on reports, research, updated the first aid kit inventory and made some bread. Esteban spent part of the afternoon re-assembling his power generator after taking it apart for travel. After arriving from second EVA, Engineer Elijah Espinoza completed his routine engineering round.

Dinner menu includes macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and broccoli prepared by Head Chef Quaas with the assistance of Victoria LaBarre. Our plan for tomorrow includes media training, independent research, and, pending approval, a Chemistry EVA in the morning to Candor Chasma.

Crew members feel motivated and ready to face more challenges here on Mars. However, the lack of water in the HAB has become a big issue keeping the whole crew worry. Crew members requested more water and we expect this issue get solved anytime soon. We are doing our best to save as much water as we can, but it is not an easy task for a crew of 8 people.
Crew 177
Crew Commander
Otsmar Villarroel

Sol Summary – March 25th

Commander Report Crew 177:
Otsmar Villarroel
Sol 1
Earth date: 03/25/2017

Good evening!

Today we met the very helpful Crew 176 at MDRS. Upon arrival at the hab, crew members were trained by Crew 176 members. Training included a brief tour around the MDRS facilities as well as over use of the ATVs, operation report data, water leak issue, etc. After the training we went to Bull Mountain Market to pick up our food according to the inventory sent by crew 176 as requested by Shannon.

We’ve made a plan for tomorrow, which will include, pending approval, our Orientation EVAs. We are expecting to enter sim tomorrow morning at 9:30 am, if possible.

From Crew 177; Hanksville, UT
Crew Commander
Otsmar

Commander Report – March 25th

Crew 176 Commander’s Report 25 March 2017
Natalia Zalewska
Commander Report
25 March 2017 – Sol 14

Dear Mission Support,

This was our last day at MDRS. We have EVA scheduled for this afternoon,
however, due to the poor weather conditions and the workload related to
packing up, we decided to cancel it and finish the simulation today.

In the morning, we worked on the video recordings. Green Hab Officer the
two crew members went to Grand Junction to pick up a rental car we will
use to transport the robot and other equipment. We finished cleaning the
upper and lower deck as well as helmets. In the afternoon we hosted Crew
177. We were happy to explain our guests how to run and maintain the MDRS
campus as well as what are the rules to follow when using ATVs and
engaging in EVAs. The evening was particularly long as we needed to finish
packing.

The crew is in a great mood, as it always is. We are also grateful to Mars
Society for the Spirit and Opportunity we have been provided at MDRS!

Best regards,

Natalia Zalewska
Commander, MDRS Crew 176

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Commander Report Crew 177:
Otsmar Villarroel
Sol 1
Earth date: 03/25/2017

Good evening!

We’ve made a plan for tomorrow, which will include, pending approval, our Orientation EVAs. We are expecting to enter sim tomorrow morning at 9:30 am, if possible.

From Crew 177; Hanksville, UT
Crew Commander
Otsmar

Science Report – March 25th

Science Report

Michał Kazaniecki
Crew 176 Engineer

In recent days we had 2 EVAs with Ares rover. We performed some field tests to check procedures and collaboration with rover and to examine Ares behavior in various conditions.

Two days ago we had objectives regarding human-robot interactions. Ares was helping geologist with collecting the samples. It took some pieces of rock and delivered it to destination.

Yesterday we performed further field tests. We headed north, to the area between Hab and North Ridge. Ares climbed on several quite steep hills, some pf them up to 35 degrees. It was a great opportunity to observe how the suspension works when forces on each wheel are not equal (and asymmetrical). Besides, we checked the performance of motors and grip of wheels on loose soil as well as we drove in the dust and mud to verify the impact of water or dirt on mechanical parts.

One of unexpected events was when Ares dug itself in sand. Unfortunately, it blew two electric fuses while it was trying to escape.

We also performed tests on maximum range of wireless communication (without additional antenna). Results were quite surprising – in open field (without any obstacles around) we nearly lost visual contact with rover but the connection was still quite good.

That EVA was also an opportunity to train an additional rover operator. It took less than minute to explain how to drive a rover.

A completely new experience, impossible to gain on robotic competitions like University Rover Challenge was operating the rover in helmet and space suit. We found out, that using a joystick in gloves is as comfortable as without them. On the contrary, sun reflections on the helmet makes nearly impossible to see anything on computer screen.

Journalist Report – March 24th

Crew 176 Press Officer // 24 March 2017
Krzysztof Jedrzejak
24 March 2017 – Sol 13

Dear Mission Support,

I am sending you my journalist report. This time it concerns the last three days at MDRS which focused on the following activities:

• Video interviews conducted with 2 out of the 5 crew members, namely Crew Commander Natalia Zalewska and Green Hab/Human-Robot Interaction Officer Karolina Zawieska. These recordings were one of the most important parts of a documentary movie we are working on. In the interviews, crew members shared their subjective experience related to the two weeks spent at MDRS.

• Preparation of the documentary photography and video session while conducting field tests of the rover Ares.

• Preparation of the Social Media content.

These are the last days of our simulation. Right now, we are focus on taking last video shots of our crew and spectacular landscapes. Moreover, we are preparing MDRS for the upcoming rotation and a new Crew.

Best regards,
Krzysztof Jedrzejak

Press Officer, MDRS Crew 176

Sol Summary – March 24th

MDRS Daily Summary Report for SOL 13

Person filling out Report: Michał Kazaniecki

Summary Title: A step closer to the successful end

Mission Status: Busy, busy, busy

Sol Activity Summary: EVA, rover related tasks, cleaning

Look Ahead Plan: more cleaning and packing

Anomalies in work: everything as expected

Weather: sunny, but not too hot

Crew Physical Status: everyone feels good

Reports to be filled:

-Operations Report
-Commander Report
-EVA Report
-EVA Request
-Summary Report (as requested by Robert Zubrin)

Science Report – March 22nd

Crew 176 Science Report 22 March 2017

Natalia Zalewska
Science Report
22 March 2017 – Sol 11

Dear Mission Support,

We went to the East to see the Jurassic formations in White Rock Canyon
with petrified sandbanks and dunes (Fig.1). I noted characteristic cross-
beddings. Similar beddings are noticable in Gale crater provided by the
Curiosity rover (Fig2). For milions years on Mars and on Earth layers of
small rock pieces have been deposited in a similar way and now they have
been exposited by erosion.

Regards,

Natalia Zalewska
Commander and Crew geologist, MDRS Crew 176