Commander's Report
01/28/2013
David Willson
Weather very cold in the morning with snow coverage on the ground. It cleared by noon leaving muddy surfaces. Temperatures approximately a few degrees C above zero and cloudy but sky is now clear.
During the early morning Jen inspected the snow and mud coverage for suitability to undertake EVAs. It was clearly too muddy in most places to do anything. So we decided to engage another indoor day.
Melanie started to reorganize the greenhouse and noted that most plants were planted in water collection trays that normally sit under the plant pot trays. Thus many plants had mold growth due to poor drainage and probably not growing efficiently. Also the potting mix type employed is a mixture used for supplementing ground planting and may have incorrect PH level and nutrient balance.
David and Emma tested the rover ready for the film crew. However, the rover CPU switch broke off, most likely due to fatigue. A new switch was found in Hanksville, that had suitable amperage and voltage capacity. Then the drive did not boot up, but this was fixed with help from the NorCal rover team and the diagnostic screen. Finally when all this was fixed in the evening, the WiFi link showed “no link” and we concluded that the connection was faulty due to the cold weather. We will check this in the morning.
Melanie made our first Mars bread was made in the kitchen and Emma undertook general maintenance activities with John and started a first floor Hab equipment inventory.
We will meet the movie crew at 9.30 tomorrow.
-----------------
CommandersCheckin
Date Time:
19:00 01/28/2013
Written By:
David Willson, Crew Commander of MDRS123
Chanel Seven Australia film crew arrived at 9:30 am at junction of HW24 and Hab Road.
Arrived to MDRS at 9:40.
We undertook a 2 hour EVA long walking and exploring an in sim-Mars sequence 500 metes South of the Hab. (This is actually the area in the direction of the North Pinto Hills)
Ground was drier than has been prior 2 days; only top cm or so of the red mud moved as we walked. We examined swelling hematite mud mounds and retrieved samples of mudstone and gypsum – similar to the rocks that Curiosity is investigating currently.
During the latter part of the EVA, Willson and Braegen drove one of the ATVs.
Melanie made bread and soup and served the crew and visitors lunch.
After lunch, we continued to work with the film crew that included: operating the rover, interviews with crew outside, in the Hab and in the GreenHab. Readying the rover uncovered multiple issues with batteries and control. Assistance by cell by Scott Davis from NorCal Mars Society helped resolve some issues for the filming.
Jen Blank drove John Stone to Hanksville and he departed from the crew.
Express mail package from JPL/MSL-outreach coordinator Sarah Marcotte did not arrive today as expected.
DG visited the Hab to inspect the toilet plumbing situation and pronounced it dire. He said it will require an excavator to address the drainage/piping line to the septic tank. No schedule for repair.
Film crew continued interviews with Willson and Braegen inside the hab – tour, discussion of a hab in Australia, etc.
All crew members participated and performed well.