Radiation Report:

Code = RED. For most of the day, then down to code BLUE.
Loc = Hellas Basin bottom.
Avg Atmos Col dens = 22 gr/cm2
Composition = std back.
Out Hab = 0.083 rem/day=0.0034rem/hr
Rad Events = None.
Tot.crew.exp = EVA-6=0.0085 (Elizabeth and Pieter, 2.5 hrs)

Comments: Code RED stands for the event of a solar storm. In today's exercise we simulated that a powerful solar storm (category X) hit us and was responsible for the power loss during most of the day. These storms are amongst the largest and generate powerful x-ray flares which induce radio blackouts and at the same time can be responsible for generating long lasting radiation storms.

Despite the fact that in our simulation we assume that our Martian base is powered by a nuclear reactor and several small RTG's (Radioisotope Thermal Generators), which are unaffected by virtually anything, the inner electric grid would be more sensitive to interferences. Due to the solar storm, which built up fast and without much warning, our internal power grid suffered from overload and some of the electronics and inner electric power system suffered.

The two crew members had already returned from their early morning EVA and were thus inside the habitat and safe. They were thus only exposed to the standard background radiation composed of galactic cosmic rays. Still we did check their suit passive radiation badges to make sure that they had not received any additional dose.

Inside the Hab the rest of the crew members, upon hearing the alarm from the Hab's detector, promptly got inside our storm shelter until the radiation threat was over. Afterward, repairs took over the rest of the day.

Science Experiments:

Biology: sampling (on EVA)
Geology: sampling (on EVA)
Astronomy:none
Medicine: none.

Notation:

Code = BLUE: standard radiation levels.
Code = GREEN: warning for slightly increased rad levels.
Code = RED: solar storm possible onset.
Loc = location on Mars.
Composition = composition of radiation fields.
Std.Back = Standard background = GCRs. (Galactic Cosmic Rays)
Avg Atmos Col dens = Average Atmospheric Column Density. (units of gr/cm2)
Out.Hab = radiation levels monitored outside hab. (Units of dose equivalent= rem/day).
Events = solar events.
Tot.crew.exp = total crew radiation exposure when outside hab on EVA.