Crew 245 EVA Report 21APR2021
EVA # 10
Author: Crew Scientist Olivia Ettlin
Purpose of EVA: Gathering soil samples and scouting for emergency shelters.
Start time: 1015 MDT
End time: 1330 MDT
Narrative: The EVA this morning started slightly after the beginning of the approved EVA window, as the crew was carefully gathering and sterilizing required scientific instruments according to XO Hume’s Planetary Protection Protocols. After we suited up and completed our 5-minute decompression in the airlock, we loaded our supplies into the Perseverance rover. Commander Dickstein and Health and Safety Officer Coultrup drove the Rover and Crew Scientist Ettlin took the ATV Serial Number 2. Starting charge on the Rover was 100% with 204.1 hours and the ATV required some choke before starting.
We traveled from the Hab to Entrance Road and proceeded south on Cow Dung Road for approximately 10 minutes until we reached Zubrin’s Head. Upon arrival at Zubrin’s head, we parked our vehicles on the side of the road. Using the analog map, we confirmed that our travel calculations had been accurate. From there, we embarked southwest on foot to explore the immediate region and investigate points of interest, which were communicated to us by our crewmates after their EVA to this site. As always, we carried the EVA med kit with us.
When we had completed gathering the samples, we returned to our vehicles and proceeded north on Cow Dung Road to Robert’s Rock Garden, where we did a final visit to drop waypoints and collect rock samples. From there, we returned to our vehicles and proceeded to Entrance Road, where we paused for approximately 20 minutes to capture some memorable photos with the MDRS entrance sign and facility as a backdrop, as directed by Mars Society Media Director Michael Stoltz. Finally, we returned back to the Hab. Upon returning, the Rover displayed 204.6 hours and 100% charge.
Destination: Zubrin’s Head
Coordinates of Destination: 12S 519500 UTM 4248100
Participants: Crew Scientist Olivia Ettlin, Commander Dylan Dickstein, and Health and Safety Officer Alex Coultrup
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Hab to Entrance Rd, then South on Cow Dung road to Zubrin’s Head. Cow Dung Road to Entrance Rd, then back to the Hab.
Mode of travel: 2 team members in Perseverance Rover, 1 team member following close behind on ATV serial #2. All three members of the team walked the destination from the location where we parked the rovers safely on the side of the road.