Mars Desert Research Station Crew 119 Files Final Report
December 17, 2012
For further information about the Mars Society, visit our website at www.marssociety.org
The following is the final report of MDRS Crew 118, which just completed its tour initiating the 2012-2013 Mars Desert Research Station field season. . A full review of this year's activity at the Mars Desert Research Station will be given at the 16th International Mars Society Convention, which will be held August 15-18, 2013 at the University of Colorado, Boulder. For further information about the Mars Society, visit our website at www.marssociety.org
Mission Summary
The crew of the Phoenix One successfully landed the first manned mission to Mars. Over the course of our 2 week stay, we have explored and mapped our surrounding area, found water on the surface, discovered microbial life, and identified numerous sites for study by future crew, shaken down systems, and conducted several human factor’s and engineering studies. We’ve proven that both living and working are possible on another planet and that we are not alone in the universe.
As pioneers, every step we have taken at Mars Base One has paved the way for many crews to follow.
Commander’s Mission Summary
Being Commander of crew rotation 119 has been quite exceptional and rewarding all in one. Firstly, this was my first command on a mission to Mars gaining experience with crew and systems integration. Secondly, I was able to appreciate the diverse geology this planet has to offer, which has been the frosting on the cake. Combining all these aspects into one project has been more than just rewarding for me personally. By fulfilling my dream, I’m able to help other people fulfill their dreams to. That’s what this mission is all about, making dreams come true. Through social interaction, systems integration and the application of science, one is able to learn and expand oneself to worlds beyond our normal physical boundaries. On to Mars!
John Reynolds
Commander Crew 119
Phoenix One
Objectives
• Explore & map the surrounding area
• Identify sites for detailed investigation by future crews
• Shakedown systems and procedures
• Conduct human factors and engineering studies
Results
Exploration
Explored the area 3 km to the East and West, 5 km to the North, and 3 km to the South for the Hab.
• Mapped and checked suitability of nearby roadbeds
• Discovered liquid water in the soil
• Discovered frozen water on the surface
• Found microbial life in the form of a cryptobiotic crust
• Found evidence of ancient life:
◦ Mollusk shells
◦ Petrified tree
• Found fossilized evidence of ancient vertebrate life
• Found resources in sand and Mancos shale clay (contains gypsum, various minerals, and possible uranium)
Identified Points of Interest
Waypoint locations are being compiled. The details and results will be forwarded to Mission Support.
• Located and verified road forks
• Cryptobiotic crust
• Various geological formations
• Marked the location of several survey markers
System Shakedowns
General
• General systems maintenance (Habib)
• Shakedown of Mars landing and support systems
• Shakedown of comm systems & protocols
• Excised resident stobor population
EVA Suits
• Designed and tested removable air direction system to reduce in-helmet likelihood of fogging
• Troubleshooted and fixed faulty charging systems for #5 and #6 backpacks (Note: polarity of #5 charging cable is opposite compared to all other backpacks)
• Missing wire loop for rear latch on #2 helmet replaced
Musk Observatory
• Fixed observatory dome shutter closing sensors
• Fixed mis-alignment between finder scope and main telescope in observatory
• Demonstrated operability of observatory hardware and software by producing clear images from the ccd camera
NorCal Max Rover
• Effective range ~ 60m from Hab
• Was great for checking the outside condition of the base without having to mount an EVA
• Dan wrote a shell script to convert the GPS log file to kml (emailed to Scott)
• Definitely have to be careful where you drive, it’s easy to get stuck and not be able to see what’s in the way or if the tires are caught on something
• There seems to be an issue where the joystick going forward stops working and you have to unplug/re-plug the joystick and restart the app for it to work again
Human Factors and Engineering Studies
Human Factors Observational Study (Lisa)
All crew members participated in a daily assessment survey, a mid-rotation focus group meeting, and an experimental production and consumption project. These results will be combined with the data collected from the three-part “Mission to Mars” online decision-making survey also completed by crew 119.
Simulation Suit Temperature and Light Intensity Logger Prototype (Paula)
The aim of this study was to test the prototype and collect temperature and light intensity data from EVAs of differing temperature conditions. Data was collected from 3 EVAs, one ATV and two walking. Collated data and observations will to be sent to Kent Nebergall to incorporate into his full implementation study in February.
Simulation Suit Helmet Visibility Study (Paula)
The aim of this study was to determine to what degree limited visibility in a sim suit helmet impacts crew tasks. Data was collected under two light conditions with a range of visibility-reducing ND filters. The data collected successfully spans the range of break-down in task completion time due to limited visibility through helmet visor. Data will be assessed and considered for publication.
Seed-soil Optimization (Lisa)
The aim of this study was to identify optimal soil component mixes for seed growth using analog-Mars resources. Applying design of experiment (DOE) statistical methods, three distinctly different Mars-analog surface material samples, moisture, and organic matter mixes were tested. The germination and growth of a seed combination composed of complimentary herbs having medicinal, culinary, and soil enhancing properties were monitored. The preliminary results were unexpected and further off-analog investigation is anticipated.
Terracotta Water Filter (Lisa)
Clay has long been used on Earth as a material for water pipes and containers and could also serve those purposes on Mars. Australian National University materials scientist Tony Flynn has further demonstrated that clay combined with organic material can be used as a filter to produce safe drinking water. This project attempted to test the viability of this application with Mars-analog clay. Results were inconclusive and additional off-analog investigation is anticipated.
Rock-sample Collection (Lisa)
Rock, shell, and petrified wood samples have been collected and labeled for distribution to elementary school children in the San Francisco, CA and Washington, DC areas.
Martian Soil Watercolor Pigments (Dan)
Collected colored samples of Martian soil to be used as the pigments for homemade watercolors. Further testing will be conducted, colors made, and a painting painted during the return to Earth. These results will be forwarded to Mission Support.
Addenda
Beyond the exploration and scientific study performed, there were also a number of other notable activities:
• Celebrated first birthday on Mars (Dan)
• Made and consumed the first ice cream on Mars (Commander Reynolds)
• Made first pair of shoes on Mars: sandals crafted from surplus tank insulation (Lisa)
• Made custom sample bottle case from empty coolant jug (Dan)
Daily Synopses
Sol 1: Successful landing, sent out rover, performed maintenance & familiarization
Sol 2: Performed maintenance & preparation for first EVA
Sol 3: First steps on Mars, discovered fossilized mollusk shells: evidence of ancient life, celebrated first birthday on Mars (Dan)
Sol 4: Planning day for farther ATV EVA roadbed surveys
Sol 5: Soil collection at Gateway, went N and W, found farther road
Sol 6: Mapped loop, found sand, located ingress to canyon E of Hab, visited nearby formations
Sol 7: Found what may be petrified tree, found interesting erosion formation (looks like bones in side of hill)
Sol 8: Collected pigment samples, located probable magnetic anomaly
Sol 9: Duty free day
Sol 10: Power went out, mag anomaly revisited but ruled out
Sol 11: Found water and microbial life (cryptobiotic crust)
Sol 12: Found confirmed petrified tree and fossilized evidence ancient vertebrate life, collected 2 pigment samples, found further resources: Mancos Shale (gypsum, minerals & possible uranium)
Sol 13: Located interesting rock formations near the Hab (Brain erosion), trekked toward eastern canyon and confirm egress at 1 & 2, had to return due to suit malfunction
Sol 14: Snow on Mars, there must be some sort of weather pattern not seen before that brought moisture into the atmosphere, stuck inside do to the conditions, Paula performed action studies
Sol 15: Final preparation, ERV launch
Crew 119: Mission End
For further information about the Mars Society, visit our website at www.marssociety.org.