29 Mars 2015
MDRS 151 : retour sur Terre
03/28/2015
Commander Report
Susan Jewell MD
We had a smooth and safe landing back on Terraforma Earth this morning and we were greeted with a bright beautiful sunny blue sky.
The smell of fresh air was wonderful and something we dearly missed.
It was an incredible journey with Crew 151 and it is sad to know we are preparing to depart back to our own countries and to meet our family and friends..people we missed very much,
The official commandership handover to Crew 152A, Commander Elizabeth Mitchell was conducted so this will be my lat commander report.
I wish Crew 152A a wonderful safe journey to Mars.
Ad Astra!
.
Cheers
Susan
29 Mars 2015
MDRS 151 : rapports du 27/03/15
MDRS 151 : rapports du 27/03/15
Commander Report
Mars Log 03.27.2015
Susan Jewell MD
Hello Earthlings,
Nearing the end of this Mars mission and I can honestly say it has been the best experience I have had so far. If I had to choose three words to describe Crew151, Innovative Emerging Space Leaders, they will have to be: imaginative, illuminating and definitely innovative!
For a team of four crew members, reduced to three last week, running the MDRS station with organized efficiency, harmony and creative fun was surprisingly easy and smooth. The past two weeks we have managed to successfully achieve all our objectives and goals. Here is an overview of the projects completed:
– TELESURGERY TRAINING STUDY INTEGRATING INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES, EEG DEVICES AND 3D PRINTED SURGICAL TOOLS. This is an ongoing study with previous, current and up-coming crews at MDRS. We successfully completed the testing during this mission using the surgery training videos, the Optinvent glasses/ Google VR googles, the EEG head devices, and 3D printed surgical tools during several testing sessions.
-YOGA AND MINDFULNESS MEDITATION AS COUNTERMEASURES FOR MAINTAINING HEALTH AND WELLBEING FOR ASTRONAUTS. This is an on-going quantitative study with previous, current and future crews at MDRS. We completed the testing and integration of the VR googles, incorporating EEG head devices during the yoga and meditation sessions.
– MEDICAL EVA, MEVA
We successfully integrated the drone/UAV equipped with onboard camera into several Search and Rescue procedures for terrain scouting and localization of the injury site to rescue and save “Igor” the dummy astronaut. Additionally, we tested the” cliff rescue” procedure and used the backboard stretcher attached to the ATVS for recovery and evacuation of the injured “Igor” astronaut back to the Hab. The crew successful performed basic medical triage during the simulations.
– LOCARD (Localization and Radio Relay Drone)
LOCARD is a three-year-long project studying the feasibility (both operational and technical) of a quadricopter UAV in Mars extreme conditions. This first year the study focused on the operational feasibility and aimed to produce proof of concept for two different uses of a quadricopter UAV on Mars: Localization and Communication relay. The UAV was raised in the sky and the live video transmission and the ability of LOCARD to rotate 360° stationary allowed the astronaut to find the HAB that could not be seen from a human height because of the relief. The localization ability of the UAV was also tested during a medical EVA where the rescue team managed to find an injured astronaut (mannequin) that had fallen from a cliff. We tested the LOCARD as communication relay. The experience was successful and with the repeater the wifi range was increased of 60%. The range could have been increased even more if the battery of the UAV could provide more power to the wifi antenna without hurting the flight abilities of the UAV.
– CLIFF RECONNAISSAINCE VEHICLE/THINGZ MODULE
During the first EVA, the crewmembers tested the direct video transmission as well as the Thingz module. They also got used to the operations needed to let the CRV down the cliff and monitor the video at the same time. One EVA was needed to scout the locations proposed by Planète Mars and try and find an efficient and rapid way to tie the vehicle at the back of an ATV. Finally, the crew successfully conducted the experiment on a particularly interesting cliff with strata on the north side of Candor Chasma Canyon, 30 minutes from the Hab. Every piece of equipment worked well and the only difficulty was to retrieve the CRV and bring it back at the top of the cliff. The crewmembers also thought about modernizations and improvements that could be brought to this fascinating, battle proven Cliff Reconnaissance Vehicle.
– EYEWEAR USER INTERFACE FOR MARSNAUTS
The experiment consisted in testing the added value of virtual reality glasses in the context of space exploration and extravehicular activities. The AR Glasses, by a French company called Optinvent, supports the Android platform so we combined existing apps to provide the Marsnauts with the features needed during an EVA and IVA( inside the Hab):
– Display of Engineering Check Procedures
– audio/video recording have been tested.
– Chrono/Time left before end of EVA (simulated O2 reserve status)
– A wifi camera connected to the glasses was test
– Use of the glasses during telesurgery training simulation
– Astronomy Observation
Several observations were conducted during the mission and it was an opportunity to learn how to use the MUSK telescope, enjoy the night sky and ponder on the vast blackness of the Universe. The study of the feasibility of a low cost “Atmosphere Opacity Monitoring System” using the equipment of the Observatory for next year was successful.
– CREATIVE SPACE ARTISTIC PROJECT: “Les Temps Phantômes”
Each night, the crew watched a surprise video prepared by a French Artist. LUDWIG, on the different Universe. The next day we incorporated into our daily schedule an artistic creation (eg, video, photo montage) on this topic. The Universes given were “slowness”, “blue”, “archipelago”, phantoms”, “garden”, “speed” and “atmosphere”. The crew team enjoyed the creative activities which increased crew bonding and cohesion. It also helped to reduce stress and anxiety. The project will be featured in several art galleries and presented at conferences in Europe next year.
– ROTATING COMMANDERSHIP CONCEPT, RCC: Leadership during Isolation and confinement in Extreme Environments. A White Paper
Crew 151 conducted a new approach to leadership. This rotating commandership is a great opportunity to look at other crew member style of leadership. It was a very successful experience for the team.. We worked about 1h every day on the paper. The first draft is written and we will plan to publish the final paper in a peer-reviewed journal,
A detailed Final Mission Report will be post on the Mars Society and MDRS website.
So new the crew is preparing to launch from Mars at midnight tonight and will hopefully land safely back on terraforma Earth tomorrow morning. This is our last night on beautiful Mars. We are looking out the Hab’s porthole and gazing at the myriad of brilliant shining “jewells”….the magnificence of it all!!!
Until the next time…and thank you for following our Martian journey.
This is just a temporary “goodnight”
Ad Astra.
Susan
Commander Crew 151
Innovative Emerging Space Leaders
Hello Mission Support,
Engineering Report
Date: March 27, 2015
Crew Engineer Name: Mehdi Scoubeau
Diesel – 72%
Propane – 54%
Gasoline – 7 gallons in tank
Water (trailer) – distance from top: unknown (the trailer has been removed)
Water (static) – distance from top: 48 cm
Trailer to Static Pump used – no
Water (loft) – 20 gallons
Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Summary of Engineering activities:
– On main generator
– Internet connection via WiFi
– HALpr on
Questions and Concerns to Mission Support:
none
Thank you,
Mehdi Scoubeau
EVA Report
EVA#10
Crew members: Mehdi Scoubeau (EVA leader) and Mohammad Iranmanesh (EVA buddy)
Location: Around the Hab (12s-519965E-4250992.5N)
Time: departure at 10:00 a.m.
Duration: 1 hour
Purposes:
– Project EMUI (Eyewear User Interface for Marsnauts):
Test of the 360 degrees situational awareness (displaying on the glasses what a camera tied up to the glove sees)
– Project LOCARD (Localization and Relay Drone)
Last flight stability test
Extra time: Hab and landscape videos for a French documentary
10:05 a.m.: EVA leaves Airlock
10:10 a.m.: Engineer Check Complete
10:11 a.m.: EVA departs
10:30 a.m.: Check-in
10:50 a.m.: Check-in
11:00 a.m.: Check-in
11:06 a.m.: Recompression Complete
Summary: The weather was very hot so we did not stay out long but we manage to test the 360 degrees situational awareness using a camera tied to a glove and displaying the live video on the AR glasses. It worked well and could be very useful. We also took some landscape videos for a French documentary.
03/27/2015
Journalist Report
Mohammad IRANMANESH
As Victor Hugo once said: « Melancholy Is the Pleasure of Being Sad ».
That’s probably what crew 151 feels today.
We are sad to leave this Mars Analog Mission, to leave OUR Mars.
You could think that our sadness comes from the fact that countrary to previous days the afternoon was spent cleaning the HAB instead of preparing the next EVA, but no, the reason was much deeper than that.
We can’t believe that it has already been two weeks that we are in simulation and that soon we will have to leave this place. The city noises and its poluted sky will have a hard time making us forget Mars.
But we know that this is the good kind of sadness that we feel, the happy kind. We had an amazing experience and we managed to do so much more than we expected. Against all odds, our small crew of 4 (that later became even smaller), did a great job accomplishing the daily tasks at the hab and reaching the scientific goals set for this mission.
These results are probably due to the fact that we managed to adapt ourselves on the fly to new situations and calmly worked as a team towards finding a solution for each problem we encountered.
For me, these two weeks reinforced my belief concerning the importance of Humans in space exploration and the advantages of Astronauts over robots in the race to Mars. I highly doubt that robots would have made a crew as awesome as crew 151!
Dear Mars, It’s a happy kind of sadness when I think of you!
Hope to land on you soon.
Crew 151!
27 Mars 2015
Compte-rendu de l’utilisation des lunettes ORA-1 d’Optinvent par l’équipage de la mission MDRS 151
The ORA-1 glasses were used during the MDRS Crew 151 rotation from March 15th to March 29th. Herein below are the reports of the different experimentation, ergonomy testing and EVA done by Mehdi Scoubeau and Mohammad Iranmanesh.
Displaying time:
With the EVA outfit it is not very easy to wear a watch and it is even more difficult to read one when you are wearing an helmet because of all the scratches on it and the glare caused by the sun. Moreover, one can find it diffcult and exhausting to always have to look down to see what time is it. You could ask HabCom to give you the time but then it could come very handy to get to know the time anywhere and anytime without asking. By displaying time on the glasses we can look at it directly without having the information perturbated by the helmet.
As we soon discovered, the clock at the top and right of the screen is too small and kind of blurry, probably because it isn’t situated in the center of vision but rather at the edge of the screen. It was an actually very easy issue to resolve because of the widgets available with Android.
Taking picture :
Since the tests with voice recognition without wifi prior to departure weren’t conclusive/successful, another idea was implemented. What we need is to be able to take picture without using hands and one way to do just that is to configure the glasses to take one picture every x minutes over a certain period of time.
For example, we can decide to take one picture every minute for 2 hours which is the maximum duration autorize for an EVA at MDRS.
Displaying procedure:
Once again the idea is give extra support to the person on EVA by displaying critical information like procedures steps or the remaining time or the level of oxygen, for example. The voice reognition would be very useful for that but we can also use the time profile of Tasker. Indeed if we are talking about experimental procedure, we know when we are going to need it displayed. For instance during the first EVA, I configured the glasses so that it will display an image (JPEG) 5 minutes before the end of the EVA. It will tell the marsnaut that there is only 5 minutes left and show him the different steps of the procedures to leave the experimental site and go back to the Hab.
Displaying a medical procedure :
As part of the experimentation of Susan Jewell, MD, we tried to display a video on the glasses giving instructions of a medical technique for suturing. The video and audio worked well.
Herein below is a list of remarks made during the use of the glasses inside the Hab :
They fit easily in the helmet but one still has to make sure to be careful when putting the helmet on. Because the glasses are rathet tight it doesn’t fall off the head so there is no need to tape it to the head, which is nice. There no other significant issue and the visibility isn’t impaired.
No significant issue with the combined used of the headset.
The sun makes it really hard to see the screen but if one put one of his glove in front of the helmet, one can see the screen.
Autonomy :
Autonomie test : at least 2 hours without wifi, which is what is needed because an EVA doesn’t last more than 2 hours, unless there is an emergency.
During EVA1 and 2, the battery after approximately 1h45min because the screen is on all the time and Tasker is running in the back.
27 Mars 2015
MDRS 151 : rapports du 26/03/15
MDRS 151 : rapports du 26/03/15
Commander Report
Date: March 26, 2015
Crew Commander Name: Susan Jewell MD
Hello from Commander Jewell.
The telesurgery study is finally completed with testing of new strategies and use of the “medi-drone” to assist medical triage and operations. Mohammad and Mehdi completed the Optivent eyewear glass study and LOCARD projects. As a small crew of three members I am honestly surprised as the amount of work we have achieved in the past week!
Crew 151 Innovative Emerging Space Leaders continued the “Rotating Commandership Concept, RCC” with the final official hand-over last night from Mohammad Irananmesh to Dr Susan Jewell MD, a veteran MDRS analog astronaut and Commander of MarsWithout Borders Crew145. Mohammad, and Medhi as XO, did fantastic job during the past days and kept the mission moving forward maintaining effective crew cohesion and bonding for the small crew. Excellent leadership qualities!.
I believe the RCC strategy works with individuals possessing a certain “je nai cest quoi” and joie de vivre quality – but more importantly a deeper understanding of the “Humanness” of life and the ability to have empathy, sympathy and compassion for others interconnected with a strong sense of Self and degree of maturity, inner wisdom, openness and willingness to collaborate and advocate the “Band of Brothers” mentality.. Individuals who can be selfless and altruistic- characteristics that are innate in all Beings but rarely seen except in certain situations like living in isolation and confinement in extreme dangerous hostile environments…like Mars!. It is only those with the courage and Humanity to demonstrate vulnerability and unafraid to accept one’s fragility and human imperfections and able to throw out the “egocentric Self” and adapt quickly to the “Selfless Whole” can successfully, I feel, become the “perfect” crew MIX.
Crew 151 is an extra-ordinary team having only meet one day before entering simulation and leaving for Mars. It has been quite fascinating to see this natural seamless transitioning and coalescing of the separate individuals into “One” functioning living breathing organism of four Beings…of, course, now three members. As they say you can’t stick a square peg into a round hole so the Crew Mix must naturally evolve to “fit”…this a seamless transition of the physical, physiology and psychology merging into one ebbing and flowing of energies attaining harmony and balance.
So the question we must ask ourselves is how do we find the right crew mix to start the journey of Mankind’s journey to plant the seeds on a New World? In my mind, the answer is not so complicated as we might think it to be. I believe to build a new Martian civilization is not so much just looking and selecting the obvious traits to become an astronaut by dissecting the Anatomy of the Body and Anatomy of the Mind/ We must dive deeper into understanding the Anatomy of Love… the invisible “gel” that bonds Humanity and Crews.
So, Crew 151 has achieved this in less than two weeks and that is amazing in itself but more incredible is the fact, the crew is so naturally connected together when only a day before we arrived at the MDRS Hab we were four total strangers!!!.
As Mr Spock would say…”fascinating Captain”.
Live Long and Prosper.
Happy Birthday to tmy Earthling family, sisters Anne and Mary and brother, Steven, All born on the same day and same month bit different years. The odds of that occurring in one family is 20 million to 1.
The odds of finding a perfect Crew Mix is?????????????????????
As Mr Spock would say…”fascinating Captain”.
Live Long and Prosper.
Commander Jewell
Crew 151.
03/26/2015
Journalist Report
Mohammad IRANMANESH
A (very) little bit of everything today!
Last night, short observation at the Musk Observatory. The sky was clear but the moon too bright in the direction of interest. We will miss that sky back on Earth.
The day started with a short but successful one-hour-long EVA around the Hab: The radio communication relay on the UAV worked great. We have to admit that the calm wind helped a lot.
Even the cooking was reduced to its minimum as the Belgians of the crew tried Macaroni and cheese for the first time. Did they like it? Let’s just say that crew 151 is happy to leave some more Mac & Cheese in the food cabinet for crew 152.
Finally, crew 151 proved once again that they deserve the “innovative” in “Innovative Emmerging Space Leaders” as they used a UAV inside the HAB to assist a Dr Jewell with her telesurgery experiment.
Tomorrow will be the last the of our simulation. We are very happy with what we manage to achieve despite being such a small crew. The atmosphere in the hab is as joyfull and energizing as it was on the first day.
Talking about « Atmosphere », today’s creative Universe was “Atmosphere”:
More than providing breathable air and protection us from solar radiation, what if the biggest benefit of Earth’s Atmosphere was to hide the Stars during the day so that Humans do not feel small and insignificant when they are awake?
Crew 151 wishes you a sky as beautiful as ours.
Engineering Report
Date: March 26, 2015
Crew Engineer Name: Mehdi Scoubeau
Diesel – 73%
Propane – 54%
Gasoline – 7 gallons in tank
Water (trailer) – distance from top: 95 cm
Water (static) – distance from top: 41 cm
Trailer to Static Pump used – yes
Water (loft) – 22 gallons
Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Summary of Engineering activities:
– I prepared the EVA of tomorrow by cleaning the helmets and the headsets/micros.
– On main generator
– Internet connection via WiFi
– HALpr on
Questions and Concerns to Mission Support:
– Some pages (“record eva plan” and “explore possible eva routes”, for example) on HALpr do not seem to be available because of an “internal server error”.
Thank you,
Mehdi Scoubeau
EVA Report:
EVA#9
NO ATV WERE USED
Crew members: Mohammad Iranmanesh (EVA leader), Mehdi Scoubeau and Susan Jewell
Location: Around the Hab (12s-518230-4250720)
Time: departure at 10:32 a.m.
Duration: 54 min
Purposes:
– LOCARD: use of a UAV as communication relay and localization tool.
– EMUI: use of voice recognition to take notes during Engineering Check.
10:15 a.m. : EVA leaves Airlock
10:32 a.m. : Engineer Checks Complete
10:35 a.m. : EVA departs
11:26 a.m. : Enter Airlock
Summary:
The voice recognition during engineering check did not work, probably because of backpack noise.
The wifi Access Point was set outside the hab. The crew lost connection with this Access Point about 100m of the Hab because of a small hill. The UAV with a wifi repeater was used to gain connection back with the HAB. The experiment was successful. There was no wind so the UAV was much more stable.
LOCARD was also use to localize a dummy injured astronaut behind a hill. The test was successful.
26 Mars 2015
MDRS 151 : rapports du 25/03/15
03/25/2015
Journalist Report
Susan Jewell MD
Nearing the end of this fantastic mission with Crew 151, Innovative Emerging Space Leaders…and indeed, it has been a really innovative two weeks. The first MDRS crew with only three members and testing out a new leadership strategy the “Rotating Commandership Concept”. Every crew member had an opportunity to be the Commander for a few days during the mission! We must admit that at the beginning of the mission, the idea was a little foreign to us and expectations of success was very doubtful but this has proven to be conversely so…it has worked so well and the experiences of the varies leadership styles have been very educational and interesting. For our crew mix of personalities the strategy has worked really well.
Tonight is the final official hand-over of Crew Commandership from current Commander Mohammad Irananmesh to veteran MDRS Commander, Dr Susan Jewell. The ceremony was celebrated with high noon tea ceremony where the crew drank specialty tea and ate freshly baked bread covered with lashings of butter, peanut butter and strawberry jam (a very British “thing”). Still the crew felt a little melancholy and contemplative as we realized there are only a few days left and still so much we want to accomplish. Mars Sol days seems very short when you are constantly challenged with news ideas, concepts and the excitement of an ‘epiphany” emerging from a nebulous energy source that can spark the human creativity and ignite the mind’s curiosity and compulsion to explore, discover and open the Truths…the Knowledge of Everything. Crew 151 of Analog Astronauts are a cornucopia of epiphanies!
Today…continuing the Creative Space project ”Les Temps Fantomes”, from Space Artist, LUDWIG.
Today, we are traveling in the “GARDEN” Universe….
“…What could be the Explorer’s garden?
A place for activity?
An idea?
A temporality?
A place to look at the time flow?
A wild intent?
A mediator?
There are unlikely clouds…
Seen only once by a very small number of observers
Only known from Inuit or Hopi Indians and other attentive watchers of the Garden from above.
Could black holes and neutron stars compose aa Garden?
One day I came to the clouds
Above the ocean
Struck by the strangeness of a sparkling and wavy carpet
Drawing lines to Infinity
To an imaginary point beyond the seas and continents
To an Unknown World,
Immediately reachable, but so distant yet…
Later I learned that this cloud was named “Atmocumulus radiates perlucidus”
Man can expect new ways of gardening now
A place for metamorphosis?
I have to renew my Garden
I hope you have one, or maybe you could create one tomorrow?…”
From Martianauts:
The Stars are our garden
Like in every garden there are a lot of Wormholes
They made us wander from one Universe to the other..
Could quark and proton compose a garden?
Our minds are expanding
We are drifting…drifting…drifting…
…always further but closer at the same time from our Universe of origin
From Fictionaut:
Hello Driftinauts,
Drifting you are in this stillness atmosphere, so they are on their heavy
ground… the millions of grains of sand in the desert are like stars in the
universe…Is the atmosphere is possible between the grains?
Perdu papillon..
entré attire…
sortie…
Mirage…
I hope soon very soon we will see literally bend the light…
“…Comme l’intersection de deux lignes de part et d’autre d’un même point,
après leur traversée dans l’infini, se retrouvent soudain de l’autre côté,
ou que l’image d’un miroir concave, après s’être éloignée dans l’infini,
revient soudain juste devant nous, il en va de même pour la connaissance
qui, après avoir traversé l’infini, retrouve la grâce…”
in this crossing, the atmosphere is lighter if it is colored of Singularity…
if it is dotted with speckles, smells, and even pixel wave.
…hazarda tradukado.
From Planet Mars to Planet Earth…Have a beautiful Garden.
Crew 151…Ad Astra.
Hello Mission Support,
Engineering Report
Date: March 25, 2015
Crew Engineer Name: Mehdi Scoubeau
Diesel – 74%
Propane – 55%
Gasoline – 7 gallons in tank
Water (trailer) – distance from top: 68 cm
Water (static) – distance from top: 53 cm
Trailer to Static Pump used – no
Water (loft) – 30 gallons
Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Atv # Oil Checked: all full
Atv # Fuel Used Gals: 1 gallon
Atv # Tires Status: all ok
Atv # Hours Used Day: ATV1 and ATV3 for 1h20min
Atv # Notes And Comments:
Summary of Engineering activities:
– I prepared the EVA of tomorrow by cleaning the helmets and the headsets/micros.
– On main generator
– Internet connection via WiFi
– HALpr on
Questions and Concerns to Mission Support:
– Some pages (“record eva plan” and “explore possible eva routes”, for example) on HALpr do not seem to be available because of an “internal server error”.
Thank you,
Mehdi Scoubeau
Commander Report
Date: March 25, 2015
Crew Commander Name: Mohammad IRANMANESH
Hello Mission Support,
Today was a good day. The EVA went very smoothly which showed to the crew the importance of scouting and planification before going out.
We have finally finished configuring the voice recognition on the Optinvent glasses. Tomorrow, the crew engineer will use them to take notes during the engineering check.
We have also found a solution to the stability issue of the UAV with the repeater as extra payload. We are eager to test it tomorrow during EVA#9. Thanks to the weather reports from Mission Support we had planned to do the last test of LOCARD (UAV) tomorrow as it’s the day with the lowest wind intensity expected for the week.
The greenhab seems to have issues altough we have been taking care of the plants. It seems like the radishes of the lower shelf are starting to die. More details in the next Greenhab Officer report (Friday).
Tonight we will have the last handover of commandership of our crew. I wish Susan Jewell good luck for these last days on Mars and the trip back to Earth.
I want to end my commandership with a message to all those on Earth that are following our reports and by echoing what astronaut Buzz Aldrin once said: « Get Your A## to Mars »!
Per ardua ad astra!
Mohammad IRANMANESH
Crew Commander
EVA Report:
EVA#8 with ATV 1 and 3
Crew members: Mehdi Scoubeau (EVA leader) and Mohammad Iranmanesh
Location: “Stacy’s Cake” (12s-519965E-4250992.5N)
Time: departure at 9:30 a.m.
Duration: 3 hours
Purposes:
– Project CRV (Cliff Reconnaissance Vehicle):
Looking for the right place to conduct the experiment
Conduct the experiment and take videos/photos
9:35 a.m. : EVA leaves Airlock
9:40 a.m. : Engineer Checks Complete
10:00 a.m. : EVA departs
10:10 a.m. : Check-in
10:15 a.m. : Off main road to site – losing communication
10:23 a.m. : Check-in – no coms
12:11 a.m. : Check-in from EVA#8
12:17 a.m. : Back to the Hab
12:28 a.m. : Enter Airlock
Summary: We arrived at “Stacy’s Cake” rather quickly because of our previous scouting. We walk towards” Candor Chasma” (sort of canyon) where we had spotted an interesting cliff to conduct our experiment. That cliff is on the north side of the canyon and has visible strata. We had the time to let the CRV (Cliff Reconnaissance Vehicle) a few meters down the cliff and go to the other side of the canyon to take some shots (see Journalist Report). We then proceeded to gather our equipment and head back towards the Hab. It was an efficient and well planned EVA.
25 Mars 2015
MDRS 151 : rapports du 24/03/15
MDRS 151 : rapports du 24/03/15
Hello Earth!
9th day on Mars. We start to miss a few things from Earth. In no particular order: familly, a good steak, watching Earth news or simply a warm and comfy sofa to lay on.
Fortunately for us, our busy scheduele prevents us from getting lost in Earth nostalgia.
Those extra 37min in the Martian sideral day do not seem to be enough to get all our work done while allowing the crew to rest properly. We will set priorities to do properly what we have time to do instead of trying to get a maximum done to the detriment of quality.
The Medical EVA today went great and the rescure team managed to save an injured astronaut (mannequin).
The lower deck was transformed into a High-Tech Mars Hospital today: EEG, smartglasses, 3D-printed surgical instruments. Everything was there to save the dummy astronaut thanks to telesurgery.
With the Optinvent Smart Glasses a new idea will be tested tomorrow: A camera has been attached to a glove and connected to the glasses via wifi (offline, without internet). So now, no need to turn your head and helmet to see what is behid you, you just have to point your arm in the direction you want and the image will appear on the screen of the smartglasses.
To end this commander report, I would like to confirm the latest result from the Curiosity rover. Our crew has also discovered evidence of nitrates around the Hab. What if MDRS Marsonauts are not the first living things to walk on this planet?
Mohammad IRANMANESH, crew commander
EVA Report:
EVA #7
Crew members:
Susan Jewell (EVA Leader) – ATV 1
Medhi Scoubeau – ATV3
Mohammad Irananmesh – ATV 4
Location: Around the Hab perimeter (12S-518230E-425720N)
Time:
Leave Airlock: 10:10 AM
Engineer Check Complete: 10:18 AM
Departure from Hab 10:20AM
10: 50AM Triage Complete
11: 11AM Return to Hab on ATVs
11:36 AM Arrive at Hab
12:05 AM Enter airlock
Duration: 2 hours
Purposes :
– Scouting, Search and Rescue operation of injured astronaut optimization – Used the ATV’s and backboard stretcher attached to back of ATV 2.. SAR team arrived at the injury site with equipments.
– Astronaut Triage and Stabilization (weather permitting will include use UAVs – Successfully performed the triage protocols on the Dummy “Igor” Astronaut. Performed tourniquet and took blood pressure wearing the gloves. Tested out Rope Rescue lift with Igor on the stretcher.
– Evacuation and Transport of astronaut back to hab on back of the ATV.
– Testing SOP procedures- successful.
Cheers
Susan
03/24/2015
Journalist Report
Susan Jewell MD
Humans on planetary surface expedition are high risk missions and high probability of serious injuries, for example, falling down a cliff edge or into deep crevices can happen. Our mission today was focused on the next phase of the medical EVA (MEVA) where we where testing the Search and Rescue procedures using the ATVs and backboard stretcher and trying the “Rope Rescue” from a cliff edge. It was difficult maneuvering around and climbing the cliff gradient carrying the equipment and performing the triage and excavation procedures encumbered with restricted vision from the helmets and the weight of the back packs.
The purpose of performing such procedures is important for testing and developing standard operational procedures or SOPs specifically for planetary surface rescues. When humans finally set foot on the Martian surface and build settlements the idea of traversing the land and traveling distances between settlements will increase the probability of accidents and injuries. It is exciting to think that we might be pioneering a new paradigm…the beginning of the “Integrated Martian Paramedic Astronauts Corp”…. using technologies, such as, drones, autonomous rovers and telerobotics to assist the Search and Rescue, Planetary SAR team.
We bought “Igor” safely back to the Hab where the operating table was ready to perform the telesurgery procedures using the Optinvent glasses and the various EEG devices from eMotiv headset and Neuroelectric ENOBIO headcap.
We enjoyed the day with baking banana-raisin cookies and completing the next Universe called “ SPEED” for the creative artist project..”Les Temps Fantomes
From Fictionaut:
“…Making Space
Making Space at top speed
Generating more and more space…
All these spaces are a world
Structures – all minor now
Without strength, without parameters…
Delay, desynchronization
Everything is going by worlds now
By bringing things out of darkness, by reactivating the unknown signs of the inner book,
The print of reality
Let rise and observe people as if the past had taken place
Different speeds to access to simultaneous situations
With shared sensations….”
From Martianauts:
I’m going fast but I don’t get anywhere
The faster I go, the further I am
Space and Time are Fractals
The sooner I go, the fewer Time I have…”
Ad Astra!
Hello Mission Support,
Engineering Report
Date: March 24, 2015
Crew Engineer Name: Mehdi Scoubeau
Diesel – 74%
Propane – 55%
Gasoline – 8 gallons in tank
Water (trailer) – distance from top: 68 cm
Water (static) – distance from top: 45 cm
Trailer to Static Pump used – no
Water (loft) – 38 gallons
Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Atv # Oil Checked: all full
Atv # Fuel Used Gals: 2 gallons (for tomorrow and today)
Atv # Tires Status: all ok
Atv # Hours Used Day: ATV1, ATV3 and ATV4 for 10min
Atv # Notes And Comments: When the engine is cold, ATV3 and 4 stall when we release the throttle lever, is that normal? Once the engine is warm, they work just fine. Maybe they might need maintenance soon.
Summary of Engineering activities:
– I prepared the EVA of tomorrow by cleaning the helmets and the headsets/micros.
– On main generator
– Internet connection via WiFi
– HALpr on
Questions and Concerns to Mission Support:
– Some pages (“record eva plan” and “explore possible eva routes”, for example) on HALpr do not seem to be available because of an “internal server error”.
Thank you,
Mehdi Scoubeau
24 Mars 2015
MDRS 151 : rapports du 23/03/15
Hello Earth !
Only three people left in the Hab. As you can imagine, there are a lot of daily tasks to share between us three in addition to our scientific projects. But fortunately we have some of the more efficient crew members ever: see the list of ongoing projects at the MDRS by crew 151:
– Telesurgery Experiment
The baseline test was done last week. Tomorrow we will do another test to see how much information we have retained. By the end of the week, we will try again this time with instructions on the smart glasses.
– Medical EVA
We had one last week when we tried to save a dummy astronaut. This week, the rescue team will try to localize the astronaut thanks to the onboard camera of our UAV.
– LOCARD (Localization and Radio Relay Drone)
The concept was proved but too much wind to keep the UAV stable in the air. There was an issue with the small wifi repeater as well, but we have one back up that will have to be set again.
– Cliff Reconnaissance Vehicule/Thingz Module
We encountered some issues with the transport of the CRV. The interesting locations that we had are far. It is really hard to pack, go to the location, unpack and mount the CRV in only 2h.
The modular electronics module by Thingz works well. We managed to easily add humidity and temperature sensors to the CRV to have even more information on the cliffs that are studied. This shows the interest of modular electronics to easily adapt/improve your rover depending on the mission of the day.
– Eyewear User Interface for Mars
Display of Engineering Check Procedures: OK
udio/video recording have been tested.
Chrono/Time left before end of EVA (simulated O2 reserve status): OK
NEW Idea: A wifi camera has been connected to the glasses. So now
– Astronomy Observation
No observation yesterday as it was cloudy and we were tired. But the study of the feasibility of a low cost “Atmosphere Opacity Monitoring System” using the equipment of the Observatory for next year is going well.
– Artistic Project “Les Temps Phantômes”
Each night, the crew watches a surprise video prepared by a French Artist on a different Universe. The day after we try to incorporate in our daily scheduele an artistic creation (video, photo montage, …) on this topic. After “slowness”, “blue” and “archipelago” we had “fantoms” for today. As you can tell by Susan’s Journalist Reports, we really enjoy those creative activities.
– White Paper on Leadership in Extreme Environment
This rotating commandership is a great opportunity to look at other people’s way of leadership and comparing our way to others. We work about 1h every day on the paper. The structure is set and we had some great discussion. I am sure the result will be interesting.
Add to all this Yoga, Meditation and delicious dishes cooked every day!
Cheers from Mars!
Mohammad IRANMANESH, crew commander
Hello Mission Support,
Engineering Report
Date: March 23, 2015
Crew Engineer Name: Mehdi Scoubeau
Diesel – 75%
Propane – 55%
Gasoline – 10 gallons in tank
Water (trailer) – distance from top: 68 cm
Water (static) – distance from top: 36 cm
Trailer to Static Pump used – yes
Water (loft) – 22 gallons
Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Atv # Oil Checked: ATV1 and ATV4 to be filled tomorrow (we were already late when we came back from EVA)
Atv # Fuel Used Gals: we will fill the tanks tomorrow during the engineering check and I will report the used gals
Atv # Tires Status: all ok
Atv # Hours Used Day: ATV1 and ATV4 for 1h15min
Atv # Notes And Comments: all ok
Summary of Engineering activities:
– I prepared the EVA of tomorrow by cleaning the helmets and the headsets/micros.
– On main generator
– Internet connection via WiFi
– HALpr on
Questions and Concerns to Mission Support:
– Some pages (“record eva plan” and “explore possible eva routes”, for example) on HALpr do not seem to be available because of an “internal server error”.
Thank you,
Mehdi Scoubeau
EVA Report:
EVA#6 with ATV 1 and 4
Crew members: Mohammad Iranmanesh (EVA leader), and Mehdi Scoubeau
Location: “Stacy’s Cake” (12s-519965E-4250992.5N)
Duration: 2 hours
Purposes:
– Project CRV (Cliff Reconnaissance Vehicle):
o Scouting to a location used by previous crews with the same vehicle.
o Looking for the right place to conduct the experiment
HABCOM: Susan Jewell
9:50 EVA leaved Airlock
10:06 Engineering Check Complete
10:20 EVA Departs
10:45 Checkin with EVA#6
11:00 EVA arrives at first site (Stacy’s Cake)
11:20 Check-in with EVA#6
11:40-12:15 No radio answer
12:23 EVA Checkin OK. Returning to Hab
12:31 EVA arrives back to HAB
Note:
Because of wind, the UAV was not used contrary to what was planned.
The CRV was hard to attach to the ATV and we had to stop to make sure it was holding well several times on the road. ATV#4 also turned off at some point but turned ON again easily.
The road was very bumpy. CRV was damaged on the way (wheels were out of shape). We decided not to use it and only scout the area.
We came back to the HAB from the South to avoid the bumpy road.
The EVA lasted a bit longer than planned but fortunately we still had battery left on the backpacks. Because we were late, the ATV’s were not refueled.
Radio with HABCOM was lost for 30min for unknown reasons.
23 Mars 2015
MDRS 151 : rapports du 22/03/15
MDRS 151 : rapports du 22/03/15
Journalist Report
03/22/2015
Susan Jewell MD
Sunday on Mars Sol7 is just like any other Sunday on Planet Earth…except we cannot leave the safety
of the Hab! So enjoying fresh air and feeling the hot,tingling sensations from the Sun’s bright rays
is something we can only imagine from the deep recesses of our Mind. Our neurons firing from old
memories triggered by the beauty of the expanding Martian landscape as we precariously lean forward
on the rickety chairs to touch the coldness of the Hab’s portholes. Condensation blocks our view!
Funny and strange our human behaviours…this urge and curiosity to get closer to the ‘real’ thing
even when there is a physical barrier preventing and obstructing our Path we still need to get
physically close. Maybe, this “knee-jerk” action might trigger some familiar sensory feedback, some
familiar smells, sounds of “home”…who knows why? But it was fun and after the laughter and jokes
about being “locked in” we return back to the task of the day…REST, RELAXATION and REGENERATION for
the crew!!
Today we completed the next phase of the Creative Art project ”Les Temp Fantomes”. We are now in
Universe #3 called ARCHIPELAGO after transitioning from yesterday’s Universe #2 known as BLUE.
From Fictionaut:
“…Para-sensory exoticism: the building of a differentiated world of yours by the choice of the
predominant sensation (sonic world, olfactory world, sensual world, visual world, etc ) or by the
choice to add dimensions to this space….An archipelago of dimensions!…”
Ahhh…maybe this is the reason???
Space exploration is not just science and innovating technologies. It is also about creativity and
stimulating the “Artist Mind”. Space art and creativity can supports human health and wellbeing and
promote sense of joy and happiness in the strange new Martian world.
Movie night…AGAIN…yes please…it’s all about crew bonding and enjoying the moment. We love Sundays
even on Mars.
Tomorrow we will have a new Commander of the station. The official hand-over occurred this evening
between current Commander Medhi Scoubeau to new Commander Mohammad Irananmesh. So far this
innovative style of leadership command is really working …it keeps monotony at bay that’s for sure
as we experience different styles of leadership here at MDRS. There will be a white paper written of
Crew 151 leadership experiences during this mission!
See you all again soon.
Ad Astra!
From the Martian Astronauts
May you rest peacefully on Planet Earth!!.
Hello Mission Support,
Engineering Report – Mid-mission
Date: March 22, 2015
Crew Engineer Name: Mehdi Scoubeau
Diesel – 75%
Propane – 56%
Gasoline – 10 gallons in tank
Water (trailer) – distance from top: 55 cm
Water (static) – distance from top: 44 cm
Trailer to Static Pump used – no
Water (loft) – 42 gallons
Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Summary of Engineering activities:
– Mid-mission check:
ATV2 started on the first try today. I tried 3 times in a row and didn’t encounter any issue. I didn’t even have to try the reserve tank.
We could use more duct tape so maybe the next crew should bring more.
Only 3 headsets/micros are working (enough for us but maybe not for the next crews).
– On main generator
– Internet connection via WiFi
– HALpr on
Questions and Concerns to Mission Support:
– Some pages (“record eva plan” and “explore possible eva routes”, for example) on HALpr do not seem to be available because of an “internal server error”.
Thank you,
Mehdi Scoubeau
23 Mars 2015
MDRS 151 : rapports du 20/03/15
Journalist Report 0320 by Susan Jewell
Today was quite strange …strange as we started entering our Altered Universe in Time …it all began last night….
Last night, after our awe-inspiring night of astronomy stargazing in which we located several bright Stars in the blackness of the beautiful night sky we started the Creative Science Space Art project called “Les Temps Fantomes” in collaboration with French artist Ludwig Pasenau.
We opened the time-sealed envelope which gave the instructions….
“…Hi Astronauts
Thank you so much for releasing me…It’s been a long time –
Yeah, a long time…..time could be long, sometimes…
So, I’d like to welcome you in this first Universe, which maybe yours tomorrow
As this one is entitled “SLOWNESS”, I’d like to start with a haiku that could maybe affect the density of the air……
Oh, maybe I should…just let me introduce myself.- or at least my hologram:
I am a strange stranger on board
I’m a new kind of phantom. I’m a fiction
I could be called sometimes ‘semionaut”, for the one who navigates among signs
Message from “Fictionaut”:
“…Something really strange happened; I lost the limits of the day
Can’t remember when it started…do you remember yours?…”
Response from Martianauts (aka Crew 151)
“…There are no beginnings and there is no end but only the slowness of time where we Wander why we Wonder … In the darkness of the stillness…”
Until next time
Ad Astra!!!
Hello Mission Support,
Engineering Report
Date: March 20, 2015
Crew Engineer Name: Mehdi Scoubeau
Diesel – 75%
Propane – 56%
Gasoline – 10 gallons in tank
Water (trailer) – distance from top: 25 cm
Water (static) – distance from top: 40 cm
Trailer to Static Pump used – no
Water (loft) – 40 gallons
Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Summary of Engineering activities:
– I prepared the EVA of tomorrow by cleaning the helmets and the headsets/micros.
– We fixed the handle of the pump used to transfer water from the trailer tank to the water tank.
– On main generator
– Internet connection via WiFi
– HALpr on
Questions and Concerns to Mission Support:
– Some pages (“record eva plan” and “explore possible eva routes”, for example) on HALpr do not seem to be available because of an “internal server error”.
– We checked again, there are only 3 working headsets/micros.
Thank you,
Mehdi Scoubeau
Astronomy Report
03/20/2015
Mohammad Iranmanesh
Observation night: 03/19/2015 to 03/20/2015
The sky was clear and beautiful. We opened the observatory at 10:45 and closed it around 12:45. We did not do a long observation night because of an EVA planned in the next morning.
Since it was our first day, we went slowly and made sure to follow all the procedures.
The first night procedure was followed and 5 stars (Sirius, Capella, Denebola, Spica, Arcturus) were needed for the 2 star alignment procedure to finally display the “Alignment Successful” message on the hand controller.
Since it was our first time using it, I decided to follow these procedures with the white light on so that we do not damage anything because of lack of visibility. Unfortunately, because of that, our eyes did not have enough time to get used to the darkness and we had trouble seeing some of the lesser bright stars of interest for our next year project concerning “monitoring of atmosphere opacity”.
Please let me know if there is a formal template to follow for the Astronomy Reports, I could not find any.
Mohammad IRANMANSH, Crew Astronomer
20 Mars 2015
MDRS 151 : rapports du 19/03/15
Hello Mission Support,
Commander Report
Date: March 19, 2015
Crew Commander Name: Mehdi Scoubeau
As the Innovative Emerging Space Leaders, we are trying for the first time a rotating commandership. It means every 3-4 days we are going to change Commander and Executive Officer. We had our first commandership handover last night and consequently I am now taking over and Mohammad is my XO. I hope we will do as good a job as Jyothi and Susan did during the 3 first days of our simulation.
We had our first EVA using the ATVs today and one of them suddenly stopped working halfway through our destination. I think the crew as a whole dealt amazingly with the situation. The EVA leader successfully assessed the situation and took the safe decision to head back to the Hab by towing the ATV. The other crew members back at the Hab helped us getting back safely on time. That is what simulation is all about and I think we handled that well.
Tonight is observation night and I am sure the sky will look amazing from here since it was very clear during the day.
Journalist Report 0319 by Susan Jewell MD
It was an interesting day for our Crew 151 of Innovative Emerging Space Leaders. For the first time at MDRS we are testing the sharing of commandership during the two week mission. Today was the official commandership hand-over of command from crew member/Greenhab Officer, Jyothi Nookula, to new Commander/Crew Engineer, Medhi Scoubeau. who will take over the station until Sunday when Crew Scientist / co-journalist, Mohammad Iranmanesh will be the next commander until next Wednesday. The last few days of the mission will be led by Health & Safety Officer /co-journalist, Dr Susan Jewell.
The leadership experiences of Crew 151 and task for this innovative approach in studying different commandership and leadership within a confined and isolated environment will be written in the initial white paper draft report. This will be an evolving project and an on-going study at MDRS.
Today’s EVA involving the testing of the Cliff Reconnaissance Vehicle, CRV, and use of the ATVs was quite a challenge. The EVA had to be aborted because of an unexpected ATV problem which could not be fixed. Additionally, it was an extremely hot day with no breeze and the risks of exhaustion and dehydration was a concern for the team. The lessons learned from such simulations demonstrates that no matter how well planned a mission the importance of alternative options or contingency plans should always be considered during a planetary surface exploration far from the safety of the Hab and chance of an immediate rescue.
It will be a beautiful evening tonight with clear skies. So plans for an evening of star gazing is on the schedule for the crew. Relaxing and enjoying the wonders of this Universe at the Musk Observatory is a special treat for all crews at MDRS.
Until we communicate next time have a joyful evening.
From the Martian Astronauts to all Earthlings
Ad Astra!
Engineering Report
Date: March 19, 2015
Crew Engineer Name: Mehdi Scoubeau
Diesel – 76%
Propane – 56%
Gasoline – 10 gallons in tank
Water (trailer) – distance from top: 25 cm
Water (static) – distance from top: 37 cm
Trailer to Static Pump used – yes
Water (loft) – 23 gallons
Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Atv # Oil Checked: ATV 1,3 and 4 full
Atv # Fuel Used Gals: 2 gallons
Atv # Tires Status: all ok
Atv # Hours Used Day: ATV1 used for 1h and ATV2 used for 30min
Atv # Notes And Comments: ATV 2 seems to have a starter problem. We can’t make it start anymore.
Summary of Engineering activities:
– We filled the ATV tanks that were not filled on Sunday because we received gasoline tanks.
– I prepared the EVA of tomorrow by cleaning the helmets and the headsets/micros.
– On main generator
– Internet connection via WiFi
– HALpr on
Questions and Concerns to Mission Support:
– Some pages (“record eva plan” and “explore possible eva routes”, for example) on HALpr do not seem to be available because of a “internal server error”.
– The handle and the pipe of the pump used to transfer water from the trailer tank to the static tank might have to be fixed or improved.
Thank you,
Mehdi Scoubeau
19 Mars 2015
MDRS 151 : rapports du 18/03/15
MDRS 151 : rapports du 18/03/15
Journalist’s report 0318 by Susan Jewell MD
Another brilliant Mars Sol 3 for Crew151 and it has been a busy day. We started early with thirty minutes of yoga followed by a simple cereal breakfast. Crew members Jyothi Nookula and Susan Jewell prepared for the medical EVA which included medical triage, search and rescue of the injured astronaut. Later this week we will repeat the scenario simulation again incorporating the aerial drones.
Crew Engineer, Mehdi Scoubeau and Crew Scientist, Mohammad Iranmanesh, assembled the Cliff Reconnaissance Vehicle, CRV, equipped with built-in biosensors. It is ready for tomorrow’s testing and terrain scouting EVA in preparation for the scenario simulation latter this week. It will be an exciting simulation and we are waiting in anticipation. So stay tuned folks!
After last night’s peaceful mindfulness meditation session the crew is eagerly awaiting for a night of relaxation and meditation, of course, after the scheduled movie night. Anyway, no matter what is the activities are conducted it will always be about crew bonding and interactions. Testing human factors and psychology for teams living in isolation and confinement in the extreme environments of Space is essential and of importance if humans want to traverse beyond Earth’s orbit and settle on Mars.This is one of the reason we are here living and working at MDRS. We are the Analog Astronaut family.
Ad Astra!
Engineering Report
Date: March 18, 2015
Crew Engineer Name: Mehdi Scoubeau
Diesel – 77%
Propane – 56%
Gasoline – 2 gallons in tank
Water (trailer) – unknown status (tank has been removed)
Water (static) – distance from top: 40 cm
Trailer to Static Pump used – no
Water (loft) – 33 gallons
Static to Loft Pump used – yes
Summary of Engineering activities:
– I prepared the EVA of tomorrow by cleaning the helmets and the headsets/micros.
– On main generator
– Internet connection via WiFi
– HALpr on
Questions and Concerns to Mission Support:
– Some pages (“record eva plan” and “explore possible eva routes”, for example) on HALpr do not seem to be available because of a “internal server error”.
– The trailer tank has been taken away.
– The ventilation seems noisier than it was on our arrival. Should I change the air filter ?
18 Mars 2015
MDRS 151 : Rapports du 17/03/15
Commander report
Mars log: 3/17/2015
A sunny day in Mars today. We miss Earth sometimes, but not too much. Mars has been treating us well. We even did martian yoga today morning.
Our team went for our first EVA today and it was successful. Mohammad and Mehdi went on the EVA to perform some experiments related to localization and relay drone and eye wear user interface.
We pre planned for our second EVA and kept our tools ready. Our second EVA is going to be a medical EVA.
Internet speed is back to normal again today.
Looking forward to exploring mars
Mars speed to us!
Jyothi Nookula
