Crew 235 EVA Report 06-May-2021
EVA # 6, 7
Author: Jen Carver-Hunter
Purpose of EVA: Continuation of rock sample collection
EVA 6 Start time: 0800
EVA 6 End time: 0900
EVA 7 Start Time: 0930
EVA 7 End time: 1030
Narrative: One of our crew’s goals is to collect rock samples that replicate the rocks found on Mars. For today’s EVA, our targeted specimens were gypsum and sandstone. The first planned stop for the EVA was the overlook at Copernicus Hwy, and the second planned stop on return to the Hab was Cowboy Corner.
We also decided to use these EVAs as an opportunity for the new crew to conduct an EVA without an MDRS-experienced leader. For this reason, we included a map lesson refresher prior to the EVA to ensure that all crew members would be familiar with the geologic features.
The first EVA crew (EVA 6) left the Hab in vehicles at 0800 and followed Cow Dung Rd north to Brahe Hwy. They missed the turn to Brahe Hwy and found themselves at the quarry, where they turned around and made their way to Brahe Hwy.
Then they followed Brahe Hwy to Copernicus Hwy where they stopped for a chance for a 360-degree look at the formations in the area. Then they reboarded vehicles and returned east on Brahe Hwy toward Cow Dung Road until they spotted the glint of the sun shining off the gypsum on the ground.
They collected samples of gypsum near Beige Moon before continuing on to Cowboy Corner, where they decided to not stop for sandstone collection. They also needed to release a packrat near the reservoir. After releasing it, they returned to vehicles and came back to the Hab without incident.
The second EVA crew (EVA 7) left the Hab in vehicles at 0930 and also followed Cow Dung Road north to Brahe Hwy. They did not miss the turn, so they executed a perfect left turn toward Copernicus Hwy, and stopped at the intersection of the two roads to take in the sights at the overlook.
The crew then started up their vehicles (one rover and one ATV) to start their trip back to the Hab. They also stopped near Beige Moon to collect gypsum samples. They elected to also stop at Cowboy Corner to collect sandstone samples before returning to the Hab without incident.
Destination: The overlook at Copernicus Hwy/Brahe Hwy; Beige Moon, Cowboy Corner
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): Destination 1 – 516100, 4254400; Destination 2 – 516500, 4254400; Destination 3 – 518350, 4252700
EVA 4 Participants: Jeff, Randall, Thomas
EVA 5 Participants: Krysta, Jennifer, Allison
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Entrance Rd to Cow Dung Rd to Brahe Hwy
Mode of travel: Pathfinder Rover and 2 ATVs (only 1 ATV used on the second EVA)