May 25, 2023 – Page 2 – Mars Desert Research Station

Crew 281 EVA Report 24-05-2023
EVA # 11
Authors: Megan Kane (Commander), Ritupriya Patil (Executive Officer), Ana Pires (Crew Scientist)
Purpose of EVA:
Drone payload test and drill
Test attaching a payload harness to the drone
Fly with payload to 100 m (short distance test)
Collect footage
Antenna check to the Northwest of the hab’s rear airlock for Ham Radio set up

Start time: 0905 hrs
End time: 0948 hrs
Narrative:
The EVA crew went out and checked the Rovers before heading to the radio antenna. After assessing the antenna and making sure it was working properly the crew moved on to near the science dome. From within the observatory Ritu commenced the drone payload tests. Six flights were planned. Only 2 were completed due to the wind conditions and slight damage to the propellers of the drone during landing in the windy conditions.
After the drone tests were completed, the EVA crew did a short external inspection of the hab documenting any visible issues. Once this was completed they reentered the Hab.

Overview of EVA
Inspect Antenna setup
Conduct drone tests
Visual inspection of Hab

Issues Experienced During EVA
The winds were too strong to complete the planned drone tests.
Drone was slightly damaged on the return flight. Propellers are slightly dented.

Outcomes
Crew completed Rover check
Crew completed Antenna Inspection
Crew began drone tests, and accomplished one objectives of delivering payload weighing 40 gms
Testing was aborted after the first payload test due to drone damage and winds. We will adjust our procedure to inquire against additional resources for wind conditions. We would recommend installation of wind-sock for continuous wind information.
Crew conducted a visual inspection of the exterior of the Hab

Destination: MDRS Hab and surrounding 500 m radius

Coordinates : Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 518100 E, 4250900 N
EVA Participants 2: Rachel Jones (HSO), Ana Pires (Crew Scientist)
Note: Drone pilot, Ritupriya Patil (XO) launched the drone from Musk Observatory and conducted the tests.
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Walk around the Hab
Mode of travel: Walk

Crew 281 Operations Report 24 May 2023

SOL: 10

Name of person filing report: Megan Kane (Commander), Ritupriya Patil (Executive Officer) and KC Shasteen (Crew Engineer)

Non-nominal systems:

Electrical outlets in kitchen

Remote observatory

EVA Helmet

Notes on non-nominal systems: None

ROVERS

Spirit rover used: No

Hours: (before EVA): 222.5

Hours: (after EVA): NA

Beginning charge: (Before EVA): 100%

Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): NA

Currently charging: Yes

Opportunity rover used: No

Hours: (before EVA): 131.2

Hours: (after EVA): NA

Beginning charge: (Before EVA): 100%

Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): NA

Currently charging: Yes

Curiosity rover used: No

Hours: (before EVA): 240.2

Hours: (after EVA): NA

Beginning charge: (Before EVA): 100%

Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): NA

Currently charging: Yes

Perseverance rover used: No

Hours: (before EVA): 264.6

Hours: (after EVA): NA

Beginning charge: (Before EVA): 100%

Ending charge: (On return from EVA, before recharging): NA

Currently charging: Yes

General notes on rovers:

Summary of Hab operations:

WATER USE: 33.4 gallons

Water (static tank): 234.6 gallons

Static tank pipe heater (on or off): off

Static tank heater (On or off): off

Toilet tank emptied: no

Summary of internet:

nominal

Summary of suits and radios: All suits and radios are fully recharged.

Summary of GreenHab operations:

WATER USE: 3.7 gallons

Heater: Off

Supplemental light: Off

Harvest: in grams :
Tomatoes 531
Cucumber 458
Chives 10

Summary of Science Dome operations:

Dual split: Heat and AC, Off

EVA & Research Planning

Cacao Experiment:

Watered cacao seedlings

Summary of RAM operations: (Tools used, work done)

None

Summary of any observatory issues: NA

Summary of health and safety issues:

No new issues to report.

Questions, concerns and requests to Mission Support:

Request Mission Support assistance to take down or retrieve the ham radio antenna in case of emergency or high winds.

About The MDRS

The Mars Desert Research Station in the Utah desert was established by the Mars Society in 2001 to better educate researchers, students and the general public about how humans can survive on the Red Planet. It is the second Mars analogue habitat after the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station was established in 2000.

Over 200 crews of six-person teams have lived in 1-2 week field visits at MDRS to simulate life on the Martian surface. Researchers and students alike have explored the Mars-like terrain in the area surrounding the station in full “spacesuits”, maintained the station’s systems, grown plants in the GreenHab to support themselves and even recycled their waste water.

Our activities at MDRS are not only about informing the public, but also conducting real research to bring humanity that much closer to the reality of human exploration on the planet Mars.

Annual field seasons at MDRS run approx. October through May. Anybody can apply to be on a crew, and we also need volunteers to help with the project.

Management Team

Mission Support

Day: May 25, 2023

EVA Report – May 24th

Operations Report – May 24th