1218-CommandersReport

Commander Report

Mars Log: 2014.12.18

The crew awoke in anticipation for the first medical EVA and in

preparation for our first Earthling visitors tomorrow: an

international production film crew producing a documentary about the

Next Generation commercial space pioneers and explorers and the new

burgeoning commercial space industry. Our visitors will be spending

the next two days with the crew team so it will certainly be very busy

and somewhat crowded space in the Hab. Thank goodness we are a small

crew team.

Yesterday, Matteo and I built the emergency medical rover and we were

excited to test it in action today during the simulation medical

triaging and search and rescue operations. The risks of injuries and

medical emergencies during space explorations are high during IVAs and

EVA planetary surface missions, therefore, standard operational

procedures and protocols are needed for training of future Martian

astronauts and settlers. Matteo installed a real-time 5.8 GHz

transmitter for the video capture and a 900 MHz transceiver for

controlling data. The EMR rover chassis was originally designed as a

Battlebot by Robots-Everywhere which makes it suitable for carrying

heavy weights up to maximum of 80 pounds payload. It was a total

success! The rover worked perfectly and maneuvered over the rough

terrain with ease. The footage obtained looked terrific and at times

it felt like we were watching footage from Curiosity itself! Well done

Matteo our crew engineer and “McGyvver Guy”…every crew definitely

needs a Matteo…he can create, build and fix ANYTHING!

Julielynn conducted her first EVA and performed wonderfully navigating

the Martian terrain, the radio telecommunications which gave us some

frustration as they kept falling out of our spacesuit pockets. She

assisted in carrying IGOR our injured astronaut and the EMR rover in

and out of the airlock for the simulation. Not an easy feat when you

are donning spacesuits, thick gloves, helmets and backpacks.

We tested the 3D printer and used it to print several parts to replace

the elbow joint on the hose on one of the backpack. This process took

about 120 minutes from start to insertion of the part into the hose.

The 3D printer is an example of a disruptive technology that will

enable humans to settle on Mars and other off-world planets. Tonight

we design a 3D CAD file of a surgical scalpel handle to print out

tomorrow during the telesurgery simulation operation for training

non-medical crews on model tissue in simple debridement and suturing

procedures… yes, our injured IGOR will be operated on by the crew!

We will end our evening tonight decorating the Hab for the upcoming

Christmas celebrations and maybe start our space helmet project. It

is so great that Crew 145 has been approved for a space art and crafts

project. We will be making our own space helmets out of paper mache

which will be used for a video collage for STEAM education. Three

cheers for SPACE ART!

Goodnight from Mars and thanks for tuning in and joining our

fascinating Martian adventure. Over and out.