MDRS Log, Commander Judith Lapierre

Our day was among the most exciting ones of the week. We started with our operational mission of that day - getting to Skyline Rim to assess the repeater condition of MDRS Voice Communication System. The whole activity took us (Shannon, Jennifer and I) three hours and included checking solar panels, assessing antenna and repeater box. We tested radio communication with Hab: clear and loud messages reached both ends. Skyline Rim is extremely scenic and now among my "out of this world" views. We used GPS to find the site: from the parking area (that we identified) to the site is about 2.5 km each way. Once we reached back the Hab after writing up directions to get there (see engineering report and Hab operations manual), our second PEV mission (but first in full sim) was being prepared by pilot Andrew and Joel as crew. Two scientific goals had been planned in Muddy Creek area: waypoint identification and geological survey. However, after our trip to Skyline Rim, Shannon, our biologist, assessed the PEV crew destination and decided that that site would provide her with more interesting scientific data than Tank wash that could be collected tomorrow Monday on our way to Lithe Canyon. Shannon and I decided to abort our mission and have PEV crew collect wet samples on their way. PEV crew agreed and left with that third goal in mind. Minor problems had the PEV crew returned after 20 minutes to gather essential equipment needed for geological survey and biological equipment. However, PEV crew noticed, at their destination, that biological sample box had been left into the airlock room. Unable to reach Habcom due to bad readings, they pursued geological surveys. This is a realistic situation: astronauts on long term ISS missions and those going to Mars will have several hundreds experiments to complete and such incidents will happen and can threaten one's science research goals. Major lessons learned from my side were of both orders, primary and secondary. First, our planning of EVAs must be improved. Although it is currently being done twice pre-mission (night before and early morning), something can be done minutes before spacesuiting. Crew commander should go over all of the scientific goals with EVA commander, making sure that with all the activities going around the station (especially at EVA time), we are all clear on was is to be accomplished during that specific EVA. EVA commander has the responsibility to accomplish all of those goals equally. Secondly, the EVA buddy system in place should also focus on the scientific goals of that crew EVA- (EVAs are not simply individuals going on a EVA but it must be considered a "crew EVA") and not solely on the safety issues related to EVA's. Secondary issues are related to radio communication between Hab and PEV crew: PEV crew had tried to reach Hab to inform of that incident. Habcrew would then have identified a plan B (for example ATV drive to area) but message did not reach Hab. In our case, when crew returned to gather equipment, although the biological box was left their to be taken at the same time by returning PEV crew, Habcom should have confirmed the reception of both items by PEV crew. This situation had us collectively revised our modes of functioning to insure that all crews going on EVA's also perform other's research of which they have a responsibility. Great data (waypoints and geological images) was gathered on that full sim PEV EVA (see Andrew's report). Joel, as always, contributed to our being able to share our exploration expeditions and you should check our photos! Today's PEV crew contributed also seriously to collect significant data on depressurization/pressurization issues of PEV utilization. Habcom was performed by Jennifer this pm and some report writing by Shannon and myself. Regular Hab maintenance activities done (water refill, generator and biolet monitoring). See engineering report for a problem with the generator drums. Joel also worked on his paper for New Mars - keep an eye for that.

Two thoughts came to me today related to a mission to Mars after our full week on Mars analogue: crew number and gender of crewmembers. A crew of six is a good number. However, I have found so far, that of crew of 7 or 8 might be better. You would need to have people assigned to Hab maintenance specifically. There has been absolutely no time where crew could work at a relaxed speed, leading maybe to better informed knowledge and further hypothesis testing. While there is crew on EVAs, Hab crew is full time working of other operational issues, most of the time, and R&D (research/development) gets a second priority. Having more crewmembers fully dedicated to those technical and operational essential tasks is something to think about. Secondly, I have found that having crewmembers of both genders in equal number to work out very well. In position to compare with other mission where I have been the only female crewmember, I fully recommend such a balanced crew in terms of gender.

Our crew decided not to take some leisure time this Sunday because of our exciting experiments. However, Tuesday afternoon will be a time where strictly inside-Hab-work will be performed, including personal work. Our crew launches tomorrow an outreach project where crewmembers will be available on-line (with Mars-time delay) to answer questions from the public. Message will be posted on Mars Society website, Mars Society Canada, Mars Society France and other space-related groups (ISU, Nasa Academy, etc.).

Here is our message: (hoping to hear from you!)

On Tuesday, April 2, from 10am to 7pm MST, the MDRS crew welcomes questions from the public sent straight to the Mars Habitat via email at mdrs@starband.net. Questions are welcome for the whole crew or to individual members of the crew currently at the station. Crew #4 is involved with conceptual testing of a Pressurized Exploration Vehicle (PEV), has completed the first full simulation nocturnal EVA, and is engaged in ongoing biological, psychological and geological research.

Please send your questions and expect a brief delay due to the extreme distance of the crew being located on the planet Mars. See the Crew #4 Biography page for more information about the background and work of the individual members of the crew.

Shannon Rupert, Andrew Hoppin, Jennifer Knowles, Joel McKinnon, Alex Kazerooni, and Judith Lapierre (Commander). Messages can also be relayed to troubleshooter extraordinaire, Matt Lowry, who departed the crew this past weekend.

Plans for tomorrow: Scientific: 1) psychosocial research (Lapierre) and human factor research (Clancey/McKinnon) - crew received Matt's answers tonight and will be starting analysis tomorrow. 2) One plan (+ back up plan) for an full female ATV (our first since the one planned last week was cancelled due to 2 ATV's not running). Three sites are to be used for sample collection along the way (Tank Wash, Muddy Creek and Lithe Canyon (depending on whether or not we received ATV from Earth owner). Joel will pick up Alex, our last crewmember to join and Andrew will work as Habcom during this ATV and also be working on digital mapping.