Sol: 10
Summary Title: Take me home, muddy road
Author’s name: Cesare Guariniello
Mission Status: While our return to Earth is getting closer, the crew is in full activity with the final part of their data collection and research project.
Sol Activity Summary: this morning started with yoga and meditation, in view of a long EVA. After breakfast, due to the current conditions of the road and to the intended destination of the proposed EVA, the crew worked out the details of the EVA with the Program Director and Assistant Program Director. After receiving the "go, but be careful", three crew members departed on their ATV. I have never visited the Skyline Rim region, after giving up my place to a crew mate last year and have been craving this excursion into the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary for a long time. Unfortunately, even this year I was not able to reach the area (already planning for next year. Third is the charm, right?), after encountering a thick layer of mud along Copernicus Hwy 1574 south and deciding to abort the primary destination out of safety concerns. The ATV would probably have made it, but the risk of getting stuck due to muddy tires was a possibility, and since these layers have been there for 145 million years, there is a good chance that they will be there next time I am around! The EVA had a few intermediate stops on the way back home. In the meanwhile, the crew members in the habitat swept the science dome for the fourth time in the mission and began a deep cleaning of both the lower and the upper deck of the habitat. Luckily, the EVA crew managed to scrape most of the thick chunks of mud from their boots, and to clean their EVA suits and flight suits without destroying the great job made by the rest of the crew. After an afternoon of work and some rest, we are now ready for a relaxed evening.
Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow we will attempt an EVA in the area of Lith Canyon, pending condition of the area and behavior of rover batteries (they performed well since the temperature increased)
Anomalies in work: None
Weather: Sunny and warmer, snow almost completely melted
Crew Physical Status: Tired and in good health
EVA: The Commander, Crew Geologist, and Crew Journalist rode the ATVs towards Skyline Rim, but turned around short of the final destination due to excessive amount of mud on the road. Stops on the way back provided insight into the late Jurassic / early Cretaceous layers
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Operations Report, Greenhab Report, EVA report, EVA request, Journalist Report
Support Requested: None