End-of-Mission Summary, 2006-04-22
Crew 48 "AustroMars", the first all-Austrian MDRS mission, consists of the following members:
more…Commander's Report # 20, 2006-04-21
AustroMars Mission Sol 14: “Operation Edelweiss acomplished!”
The last day of the AustroMars Mission saw a final that was absolutely in alignment with this remarkable mission. Beside of the usual communication issues with our primary satellite connection, which is constantly interrupted for very long periods and then starts to work surprisingly again, our Mission Control Center in Salzburg had organised the flight plan in such a way that two teams would explore Skyline Rim in alignment with Operation Edelweiss.
Commander's Report # 19, 2006-04-20
AustroMars Mission Sol 13: “13 is a lucky number!”
They say that 13 is an unlucky number, but this Sol number 13 was one of my luckiest days in the MDRS. All was triggered by a special event in the afternoon, which switched my mind to Martian modus entirely and made me feel like a real astronaut on Mars. As I write these lines I am still fully absorbed by this feeling – a feeling that came as a huge surprise as there was no indication that the day could develop into something great like this.
Commander's Report # 18, 2006-04-19
AustroMars Mission Sol 12: “A Long-Duration geological Scouting Mission”
Today was a real hay day for three of our crew members, when Gernot Grömer, our Health and Safety Officer, acting also as EVA Commander, Christian Hutsteiner, the Flight Engineer and Alexander Soucek, the First Officer of AustroMars, took off for a long-duration geological scouting mission into the direction of Coal-Mine wash.
Commander's Report # 17, 2006-04-18
AustroMars Mission Sol 11: "Alpine rescueing on Mars"
Imagine a Mars expedition on top of the Tharsis volcanoes or at the Vallis Marineris. What happens if one of the astronauts slips and breaks himself an arm or leg? How do you get him safely back to the base - especially if he has fallen into a steep canyon or a valley?
Commander's Report # 16, 2006-04-17
AustroMars Mission Sol 10: “Operation Edelweiss”
Four sols to go and the AustroMars team here at the MDRS and back in Salzburg at the Mission Control Center has embarked on a new course: Exploration.
All was started by a reconnaissance probe, which has found water vapour and Methane at a presumed old volcano. Because of the high altitude, aerobots ae not able to go there and due to the steep terrain there is also no chance that our rover can get there as well. So it’s up to us – the humans - to explore this spot and find out whether this methane is produced by geothermal activities or biochemical processes.
Commander's Report # 15, 2006-04-16
AustroMars Mission Sol 9: "Geology, Biology and Exploration after all"
Only five sols to go, it is incredible how quickly time can fly when one is in the MDRS. Today saw the first real planned anomaly by the Mission Control Center (MCC) in Salzburg, a solar radiation storm that forced us to take shelter in the airlocks in the afternoon. Sitting there for two hours, we thought on the whole mission and then we decided to give it in its last five sols a completely new spin.
Commander's Report # 14, 2006-04-15
AustroMars Mission Sol 8: “Sand, Stones and Wings”
Halftime at AustroMars. After our recharging day yesterday, we were set back to full speed by our Mission Control Center (MCC) in Salzburg. This could easily be seen by the fact that we had three EVAs .Well, I should say at that point that the MCC had only planned for two EVAs, but we requested a third one, as we wanted to make use of a few synergies. But one after the other…
Commander's Report # 13, 2006-04-14
AustroMars Mission Sol 7: "The right Stuff"
Today, as we have nearly reached the halftime of the AustroMars mission, our Mission Control Center (MCC) in Salzburg decided that we should have a little bit of rest. Therefore our flight plan was set up that we would have spare time in the morning and would not conduct any EVA to reload our internal batteries. Also it was decided we would have time devoted this evening to watch a movie, for which the crew had quickly made up its mind that this one should be “The right Stuff”, by Philip Kaufman.
Commander's Report # 12, 2006-04-13
AustroMars Mission Sol 6: "First Aid on Mars"
Even on a remote and rather friendly place like Mars, accidents are likely to happen. One small step and an unwary astronaut can easily tumble, breaking his arm or leg or receiving even worse damage. This and the procedures for first aid and safe transportation of the patient was exactly what we wanted to simulate in today’s MedMars EVA.
Commander's Report # 11, 2006-04-12
AustroMars Mission Sol 5: "Bacteria Day an Yuri's Night"
If I had to describe this day in two words, I would most likely choose “bacteria day”, as today’s EVA’s were all centred on biological experiments. Already in the morning, Gernot Grömer, the AustroMars Health and Safety Officer, Markus Spiss, our Mission Specialist for Life Sciences, and Christian Hutsteiner, the Flight Engineer, were going on the third LiMa (Life on Mars) EVA. This time Gernot was the EVA commander, while Alexander Soucek, the First Officer, acted as the HabCom. As LiMa is set to optimise the procedures for finding and processing potential life bearing samples, this experiment includes an extensive contamination protocol to enable the highest levels of planetary protection.
Commander's Report # 10, 2006-04-11
AustroMars Mission Sol 4:
"How many experiments can an A(u)stronaut conduct in 24 hours?
Ever wondered how many different activities one can pack into 24 hours? Would you be surprised if I tell you that it can easily be more than 20? If you don't believe me then I invite you to have a look at the AustroMars flight plan. This document outlays in 15 minutes slots how each crew member of AustroMars should spend his day.
Commander's Report # 9, 2006-04-10
AustroMars Mission Sol 3: "Looking for Life on Mars and WLAN Masts... "
This day can definitely be best described as the EVA day. In the morning, Alexander Soucek, the First Officer, Mission Specialist for planetary Sciences, Christoph Kandler and Markus Spiss, the Mission Specialist for Life Sciences, donned their space suits, started the ATVs and moved to the South to start one of the most interesting experiments of AustroMars: LiMa or Life on Mars.
Commander's Report # 8, 2006-04-09
AustroMars Mission Sol 2: “Engineering EVA complete - Ground declared operational!”
"EVA Team this is HabCom, you are cleared to open the outer hatch of the airlock!"
With this words Christian Hutsteiner, the Flight Engineer, and myself, Norbert Frischauf, stepped out of the Habitat to begin our Engineering EVA (our Health and Safety Officer, Gernot Gröemer, acted as Habitat Commander). The objective of this EVA is easily described: Check-out the outer shell of the Habitat and the surroundings for any imminent dangers that could endanger the mission.
Commander's Report # 7, 2006-04-08
AustroMars Mission Sol 1, 5:30 Utah Time: „Mars De-Orbit Burn complete - landing sequence initiated...".
"MCC Salzburg - AustroMars Crew here, the Mars Descent/Ascent Vehicle dubbed "Fast and Furious" has landed!" This sentence was spoken out at 5:30 Utah time. The sun was still way down the horizon. Only an eerie light told us of the beginning day. Us that was Gernot Grömer, the Health and Safety Officer, Alexander Soucek, the First Officer and myself, Norbert Frischauf.
