Category: EVA Report

Crew 305 EVA Report 02 09-12-2024
EVA # 2
Author: Hunter Vannier
Purpose of EVA: EVA training day: become familiar with the conduct on and protocols of an EVA.
Start time: 1130 hr
End time: 1300 hr
Narrative: Hunter led the EVA, joined by Rashi and Monish. Opportunity started with 100% charge and 196.6 hours, and Spirit started with 100% charge and 256.9 hours. We drove the rovers out to Marble Ritual via Cow Dung Road. After parking, we took time finding a “marble” of choice and put one in each of the baskets. We walked ~500 m south until we found the green fossilized dinosaur (thigh?) bone exposed in a light-toned sandstone/conglomerate outcrop. We then traveled northeast for ~600 m, exploring different outcrops along the way. We observed widespread differential weathering, affecting both pebbles and boulders alike, though the boulders were more mushroom-like. Atop one large hill, a rock looked like a springboard perched for a Martian diver. Freeze thaw-altered boulders and outcrops embedded in the ground were observed, where the freezing and thawing cycles have taken advantage of faults in the rock, usually parallel to bedding planes, and pushed them apart through expansion of water that infiltrate cracks and freeze during winter. One boulder looked smashed by a large hammer, and some ground-level examples looked like spinal bones of a whale carcass. After returning to the rovers, we performed beautiful three point turns and drove directly back to the Hab the way we came. Opportunity finished with 94% charge and 196.4 hours, and Spirit finished with 95% charge and 257.0 hours.
Destination: Marble Ritual
Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 518800E, 4251000N to 518800E, 4250500N
Participants: Hunter Vannier, Rashi Jain, Monish Lokhande
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road to Marble Ritual
Mode of travel: Rover and by foot

Crew 305 EVA Report 10-12-2024

EVA # 03

Author: Ian Pamerleau

Purpose of EVA: Initiation for Spruha and then data collection near and in the western part of Candor Chasma.

Start time: 10:00 hr

End time: 13:05 hr approximately

Narrative: EVA was led by Ian; Hunter and Spruha accompanied. We started the Spirit and Opportunity rovers at 257.0 hr and 196.7 hr, respectively, both with 100% charge. We traveled to Marble Ritual where Spruha was able to find a nice pebble sized rock to complete her initiation. It didn’t take long before she was ready to go onto our next destination, the fork in the road of Cow Dung and Gateway to Candor. Hunter was able to use his GPS to make sure we were at the correct location, at which point we disembarked the rovers. Right next to where we parked along the ephemeral stream, we were able to take our first measurement of the mission! We measured the width of the dry stream 3 times at around the same location and marked down the GPS coordinates for later analysis. Measurements were taken with a 100 m tape I brought along. We also began dropping flags in the areas where we stopped to take data. This way, if we forgot to take some form of data, we could do it on the way back for the flags. We continued walking in the stream bed and took multiple data points using the same process as before. We got a little bit into the Canyon before we had to turn back. We were able to find some fun features that were not stream measurements. Hunter was able to find a piece of petrified wood and either another one, or a dinosaur bone stuck in a conglomerate. We also saw many beautiful shades of chert and different animal tracks coming from low, shaded points in the stream where there were some ice pools still melting. We got back to the rovers and drove them back to the Hab. At the end of the EVA, Spirit was at 257.2 hr and 76% charge, and Opportunity was at 197.0 and 90% charge.

Destination: Marble Ritual; Candor Chasma

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): (518800E, 4251000N); (519100E, 4251490N) walk to (520199E, 4251403N).

Participants: Ian Pamerleau, Hunter Vannier, Spruha Vashi

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: drive MDRS driveway, Cow Dung Road to Marble Ritual. Then drive to the fork of Cow Dung Road and Gateway to Candor walking trail. Walk Gateway to Candor and a little bit of Watney Road, mostly following the river bed into the canyon itself.

Mode of travel: Rover to Marble Ritual (short stop) then rover to fork, walk river bed to the canyon.

Crew 301 EVA Report 10-22-2024

EVA # 1

Author: Jen Carver-Hunter

Purpose of EVA: Geologic sample collection

Start time: 13:00

End time: 15:00

Narrative: Rachel, Alex, Steve, Jason, Mike, and Jen were prepped and ready for the EVA on time. EVA team loaded up in rovers to drive to the first EVA destination, at the intersection of Cow Dung Road and Brahe Hwy. They continued a short distance on foot, circling the area to look for selenite specimens. After collecting specimens to add to their collection and to use for the selenite experiment/investigation they plan to conduct in the science dome, EVA team loaded back up into the Hab car to drive to their second collection site, at the mounds by the balancing rock south of dry wash. They walked toward the west of Cow Dung Road, where they collected two more samples for their specimen collection. After collecting samples, the crew returned to the Hab car and drove back to the Hab.

Destination: Intersection with Brahe Hwy followed by mounds near the balancing rock south of dry creek wash

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 518000, 4254750 and 518000, 4254000

Participants: Rachel Johnson, Michael Ho, Steve Kirsche, Alex Grab, Jason Trump, and Jen Carver-Hunter

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Crew took rovers from the Hab to Cow Dung Rd, turned north onto Cow Dung Rd, and followed it to the intersection with Brahe Hwy. From there, they turned south on Cow Dung Rd to the second collection site south of dry creek wash. From the second site, they returned to the Hab on Cow Dung Rd.

Mode of travel: Spirit, Curiosity, and Perseverance Rovers

EVA # 2

Author: Jen Carver-Hunter

Purpose of EVA: Geologic sample collection

Start time: 09:00

End time: 11:00

Narrative: Rachel, Alex, Jason, Mike, Steve, and Jen drove to 1101 (the road to Barrainca Butte), where they stopped to collect specimens from the wash on the west side of Cow Dung Rd. After collecting specimens, they returned to the rovers and drove north on Cow Dung Road to the southwest side of Kissing Camels Ridge. There, they collected additional rock specimens along the wash on the west side of Cow Dung Rd before returning to the rovers and continuing back to the Hab.

Destination: Road to Barranca Butte and Southwest Kissing Camel Ridge

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 519700, 4247300 and 518200, 4249300

Participants: Rachel Johnson, Michael Ho, Jason Trump, Alex Grab, Steve Kirsche, Jen Carver-Hunter

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Crew took rovers from the Hab, turned south on Cow Dung Road, and continued to Route 1101 (the road to Barrainca Butte). They did collect specimens on foot in the wash near the road. From there, they returned North on Cow Dung Rd, stopping at Kissing Camels Ridge before continuing back to the Hab on Cow Dung Rd.

Mode of travel: Crew drove rovers (Spirit, Curiosity, Opportunity) to the collection sites and walked a small area on foot to collect specimens.

Crew 299 EVA 10 Report 5-21-2024

EVA #11

Author: Aravind Karthigeyan

Purpose of EVA: Travel to Hab Ridge to get interesting pictures and to see the Hab from a higher elevation. We also tested the UV detector and Geiger counter at different elevations.

Start Time: 10:18 AM

End Time: 11:47 AM

Narrative: EVA crew embarked on a hike up Hab Ridge. We started on a riverbed which eventually led us to a more path-like area up the ridge. We were eventually able to get to the highest local elevation and then were able to see the Hab and have people in the Hab see us and take photographs.

Destination: Hab Ridge

Coordinates:

518000, 4250000 (Hab Ridge)

EVA Participants: Noah (Biologist), Avery (XO and Astronomer), and Aravind (Chemist)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Hab Ridge Trail

Mode of travel: Walking

Hello Mission Control,

Crew 299 EVA 10 Report 5-21-2024

EVA #12

Author: Kristina Mannix

Purpose of EVA: Collect final samples from Marble Ritutal.

Start Time: 2:00 PM

End Time: 2:45 PM

Narrative: The crew drove to marble ritual, then took samples and drone footage at marble ritual.

Destination: Marble Ritual

Coordinates:

518750, 5251000 (Marble Ritual)

EVA Participants: Kristina (HSO), Pari (Commander), and Rishab (Engineer)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road

Mode of travel: Driving

Crew 299 EVA 1 Report 5-14-2024

EVA #1

Author: Rishabh Pandey

Purpose of EVA: Test EVA up to Marble Ritual to get certified.

Start Time: 8:30AM

End Time: 9:25AM

Narrative: The EVA team took curiosity and perseverance rovers up to Marble Ritual for their first-ever EVA. The crew took some fun pictures to be uploaded to social media and for the journalist. After walking around the area and climbing the hill for a short period, the crew returned to the HAB.

Destination: Marble Ritual

Coordinates:
4251000 5187500 (Marble Ritual)

EVA Participants: Prakrut (Crew Commander & Journalist), Noah (Biologist), Aravind (Chemist)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road

Mode of travel: Driving Opportunity + Walking

Crew 299 EVA 2 Report 5-14-2024

EVA #2

Author: Rishabh Pandey

Purpose of EVA: Test EVA up to Marble Ritual to get certified.

Start Time: 10:39AM

End Time: 11:23AM

Narrative: The EVA team took curiosity and perseverance rovers up to Marble Ritual for their first-ever EVA. The crew took some fun pictures to be uploaded to social media and for the journalist. After walking around the area and climbing the hill for a short period, the crew returned to the HAB.

Destination: Marble Ritual

Coordinates:
4251000 5187500 (Marble Ritual)

EVA Participants: Rishabh (Engineer), Avery(XO), Kristina(HSO)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road

Mode of travel: Driving Opportunity + Walking

Crew 299 EVA 4 Report 5-15-2024

EVA #4

Author: Aravind Karthigeyan

Purpose of EVA: EVA to Kissing Camel Ridge and Robert’s Rock Garden in order to collect samples and test radioactivity of the environment.

Start Time: 4:09 PM

End Time: 5:20 PM

Narrative: The EVA team took Curiosity and Opportunity rovers down to Roberts Rock Garden. The crew took some fun pictures to be uploaded to social media and for the journalist. The crew walked around and hiked up a hill to find some interesting samples unique to Roberts Rock Garden and tested the radioactivity of the environment.

Destination: Roberts Rock Garden

Coordinates:

518500 4249500 (Roberts Rock Garden)

EVA Participants: Avery (XO/Astronomer), Kristina (HSO), Aravind (Chemist)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Taking Cow Dung Road 0110 to Roberts Rock Garden

Mode of travel: Driving Opportunity + Walking

Crew 299 EVA 3 Report 5-15-2024

EVA #3

Author: Noah Mugan
Purpose of EVA: Visit Candor Chasma to test drone and obtain samples

Start Time: 8:55AM

End Time: 11:13AM

Narrative: The EVA team took rovers Spirit and Opportunity up to approximately 0.15 miles down Galileo Road. At that point, Spirit had reached a charge of 55% and they took the rest of the journey on foot. They walked down Galileo Road and past Compass point until they finally reached the closest section of Candor Chasma. There, the crew engineer piloted the drone to obtain pictures of the crew and the surrounding landscape, as well as test piloting and maneuverability. The EVA team also obtained several geological samples along the way, which were brought back for analysis. After a rest at Candor Chasma, the team walked back to the rovers and drove the rest of the way home. By the end of the trip, Spirit was left with a charge of 43% and Opportunity was left with a charge of 58%.

Destination: Candor Chasma

Coordinates: x = 520500, y = 4251250

EVA Participants: Rishabh (Engineer), Prakruti (Crew Commander & Journalist), Noah (Biologist and Greenhab Officer)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road, Galileo Road

Mode of travel: Drove Spirit and Opportunity+Walking