Crew 263 EVA Report 27-02-2022
EVA # 7
Author: Nicolas WATTELLE
Purpose of EVA: Atmospheric Experiment maintenance (batterie change, MegaAres Setup)
The atmospheric experiment includes 5 devices: LOAC (Light Optical Aerosol Counter), an Electrical Field Mill, Purple Air (Aerosol Counter), Mega-Ares (Electrical Field Counter) and a Weather station. The aim of this experiment is to do testing of Martian-Atmospheric Study Equipment and their maintenance by human operators. Performing their maintenance and set-up while wearing spacesuits and following EVA protocols is the purpose of the experiment. All devices are located at the same place.
Batteries for the LOAC, MegaAres, the Electrical Field Mill and Purple Air needs to be changed daily. Hence, during this maintenance EVA, the 3 batteries (the Field Mill and MegaAres use the same battery) needed to be replaced.
Start time: 08: 58
End time: 09:55
Narrative: EVA Participants entered the airlock at 08:58. Depressurization ended at 09:03. EVA participants checked the rover batteries just in case. The obtained information is:
Perseverance: Usage Duration – 228.1 Battery Charge – 100%
Spirit: Usage Duration – 157.2 Battery Charge – 100%
Opportunity: Usage Duration – 84.7 Battery Charge – 100%
Curiosity: Usage Duration – 168.7 Battery Charge – 100%
The EVA participants arrived at the Atmospheric Experiment location at 09:10. The 3 batteries were replaced. Marine was in charge of changing LOAC battery, she did it without any problem to declare. Nicolas changed the Purple Air and Electrical Field Mill batteries, and tried to recover data. But there, while taking out the waterproof protection, condensation appeared inside the box. Then it was impossible to turn it on again. Matheo set the MegaAres antenna, the installation went well, the measurement started correctly.
Nicolas’ radio moved out from his ear at 9:19, but stayed inside the helmet. He could still hear the radio, but had to make efforts speaking to be heard.
At 09:46, the participants left the atmospheric experiment location.