Category: EVA Report

Crew 216 EVA Report 30-Nov-2019
EVA #08
Author: Levesque

Purpose of EVA: Evaluate potential communications repeater site on North Ridge

Start time for EVA: 1330
End time for EVA: 1530

Narrative: The EVA team walked to the bottom of the northeast corner of the North Ridge to assess the viability of a safe route to the top that had been determined from cartographic analysis. Once again, however, the dictum was proven true: the map is not the territory. Upon reaching the northeast corner, the team determined that the steepness of the slope and the footing was not safe or suitable to pursue. In search of an alternative, the team continued west around the north side completing a loop without finding one. The team then returned to the Hab via a direct route. A future reconnaissance in drier conditions should be considered, as a GIS viewshed analysis of the North Ridge indicates it would be an ideal site for a radio repeater if a relatively easy route to the summit can be found.

EVA Participants: Levesque, Lawson, Kennedy, Alexandrova

Routes per MDRS Map:
1) Walk to the northeast corner of North Ridge at 518624E 4251655N
2) Continued west to 518248E 4251639N
3) Returned to Hab from this point

Mode of travel: Walk
Vehicles used: N/A

Crew 216 EVA Report 27-Nov-19
EVA # 05
Author: Levesque
Purpose of EVA: To explore suitability for possible radio repeater sites close to the Hab. Collect footage for documentary.
Start time for EVA: 0930
End time for EVA: 1130
Narrative: EVA #5 was our crew’s first non-rover EVA. We left the Airlock at 0930 with Levesque, Lawson, Alexandrova, and Kennedy. We traveled west up the bentonite hills adjacent to the Hab, stopping a few times for footage and oxygen absorption. At the summit of the ridge we were greeted by the majestic views in all directions, looking down onto our decorous Hab below. We then traveled south to the coordinate #1. We observed a surprising amount of fossils for Mars, but found the road in good condition and excellent for travel. From location #1 we stopped, did some filming, and returned north on the road we had been traveling. We arrived at the coordinate #2 shortly after. This is the site of the old repeater according to our documents. We evaluated the suitability of the location. It would do well for comms east west and south, but site #3 would most likely provide a better overall coverage, especially north. We did some more filming with only minor queues from our documentarian and continued north on the Hab Ridge road. Shortly after we came to the break in the ridge and the old access road. We followed this down until we were at the foot of the north ridge, the base of the hill of coordinate #3. We were concerned that with the time we had left that it would be cutting it close, so we elected to reevaluate the location at a later EVA and return to the Hab. We did some minor filming and savored how we are living our best lives. We did a quick external evaluation of the Hab and returned to the airlock approximately at 1130.
Destination: In the vicinity of Hab (within 1 km), 3 specific points listed below.
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS):
1: 12 S 0517874 4250342.
2: 12 S 0517887 4250342.
3: 12 S 0518464 4251538.
EVA Participants: Levesque, Lawson, Alexandrova, Kennedy
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) Hab to 12 S 0517874 4250342 on foot
2) 12 S 0517874 4250342 to 12 S 0517887 4250342 on foot
3) 12 S 0517887 4250342 to 12 S 0518464 4251538 on foot
4) 12 S 0518464 4251538 to Hab on foot
5) Total distance 3.5 km
Mode of travel: Walking with powerful self determination
Vehicles used: N/A

Crew 216 EVA Report 27-Nov-19
EVA # 05
Author: Levesque
Purpose of EVA: To explore suitability for possible radio repeater sites close to the Hab. Collect footage for documentary.
Start time for EVA: 0930
End time for EVA: 1130
Narrative: EVA #5 was our crew’s first non-rover EVA. We left the Airlock at 0930 with Levesque, Lawson, Alexandrova, and Kennedy. We traveled west up the bentonite hills adjacent to the Hab, stopping a few times for footage and oxygen absorption. At the summit of the ridge we were greeted by the majestic views in all directions, looking down onto our decorous Hab below. We then traveled south to the coordinate #1. We observed a surprising amount of fossils for Mars, but found the road in good condition and excellent for travel. From location #1 we stopped, did some filming, and returned north on the road we had been traveling. We arrived at the coordinate #2 shortly after. This is the site of the old repeater according to our documents. We evaluated the suitability of the location. It would do well for comms east west and south, but site #3 would most likely provide a better overall coverage, especially north. We did some more filming with only minor queues from our documentarian and continued north on the Hab Ridge road. Shortly after we came to the break in the ridge and the old access road. We followed this down until we were at the foot of the north ridge, the base of the hill of coordinate #3. We were concerned that with the time we had left that it would be cutting it close, so we elected to reevaluate the location at a later EVA and return to the Hab. We did some minor filming and savored how we are living our best lives. We did a quick external evaluation of the Hab and returned to the airlock approximately at 1130.
Destination: In the vicinity of Hab (within 1 km), 3 specific points listed below.
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS):
1: 12 S 0517874 4250342.
2: 12 S 0517887 4250342.
3: 12 S 0518464 4251538.
EVA Participants: Levesque, Lawson, Alexandrova, Kennedy
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) Hab to 12 S 0517874 4250342 on foot
2) 12 S 0517874 4250342 to 12 S 0517887 4250342 on foot
3) 12 S 0517887 4250342 to 12 S 0518464 4251538 on foot
4) 12 S 0518464 4251538 to Hab on foot
5) Total distance 3.5 km
Mode of travel: Walking with powerful self determination
Vehicles used: N/A

Crew 216 EVA Report 28-Nov-2019
EVA # 07
Author: Whittle
Purpose of EVA: Rover maintenance
Start time: 1015
End time: 1130
Narrative: Crew cleaned Opportunity, Spirit, and Curiosity. Whilst outside, crew secured outside panel on Hab wall by water tank which had been flapping and banging.
Destination: Hab
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12 S 0518227 4250721.
Participants: Whittle, Kennedy, Ho, Alexandrova
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) In vicinity of Hab
Mode of travel: Foot

Crew 216 EVA Report 26-Nov-2019
EVA # 04
Author: Kennedy
Purpose of EVA: Evaluate communication range to east of Hab with 5W radio transceiver, explore locations for communications rebroadcast, collect drone footage for education.
Start time: 1400
End time: 1545
Narrative: We began with a small technical difficulty with the drone footage. Michael had to replace the battery and reevaluate the auto follow feature. He eventually manually operated the drone while we drove the vehicles. Once in transit the drive to Galileo Road was uneventful. Near the junction of Galileo Rd 1104 and Cactus Rd 1104 the road travels in the wash. Due to recent precipitation, signs of vehicle travel were erased, we had to scout on foot to confirm the route that was in the GPS and maps was accurate. After a short survey of the area we found the rest of the road and continued down Cactus Rd 1104. At 0520999E 4252250N we stopped and evaluated the area. Comms were solid as there are few obstructions between that area and the Hab. The area was still quite grassy and not terribly Martian. We returned without incident.
Destination: Eastern end of Cactus Rd 1104
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12 S 0521940 4252800.
EVA Participants: Kennedy, Ho, Levesque
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) Hab to 12 S 0519100 4251980 via Cow Dung Rd,
2) 12 S 0519100 4251980 to 12 S 0519880 4251540 via Galileo Rd 1104
3) 12 S 0519880 4251540 to east end of Cactus Rd 1104
4) Explore suitable areas either side of road on foot
5) Return to Hab via reverse route
Mode of travel: Rover/Walk
Vehicles used: Opportunity, Spirit

[end]

[title EVA Report – November 26th]

Crew 216 EVA Report 26-Nov-2019
EVA # 03
Author: Whittle
Purpose of EVA: Evaluate communication range to S of Hab with 5W radio transceiver, explore locations for communications rebroadcast, collect more footage for documentary.
Start time: 0900
End time: 0945
Narrative: Crew left Hab to test range of 5W radio transceiver. Continued radio checks every minute until lost comms with Hab when passing through Kissing Camel Ridge (this had been the hypothesized loss of comms point due to terrain) at approximately 0905. Crew parked on road at grid 12 S 0518682 42488798. After discussing plan to evaluate high points at 12 S 0518585 4248798 and 12 S 0518758 4249076 (West and East of Cow Dung Rd), crew climbed West point (12 S 0518585 4248798). Here crew reestablished communications with Hab at 0915, discussed plan to evaluate second point to East of Cow Dung Rd (12 S 0518758 4249076). Crew captured landscape footage here. On route to 12 S 0518758 4249076 at approximately 0930 crew received message from Hab instructing return to Hab due to comms issue. Crew complied and returned to Hab, arriving at 0940. It should be noted for the report that crew maintained good internal EVA communications at all times (save for approximately 2 minutes after exiting rovers when ARES 9’s microphone fell off his head), and had good communications with Hab at all times except for the aforementioned loss of communications between passing through Kissing Camel Ridge and arriving at the high point at grid 12 S 0518585 4248798. On return, crew was made aware of communications issues at Hab, these did not affect internal comms amongst EVA members on channel 22, or communication from EVA to Hab using the 5W transceiver.
Destination: High Point South of Kissing Camel Ridge
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12 S 0518585 4248798.
Participants: Whittle, Lawson, Alexandrova
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) Hab to 12 S 0518682 4248879 via Cow Dung Rd
2) Walked from 12 S 0518682 4248879 to high point at 12 S 0518585 4248798
3) Walked from 12 S 0518585 4248798 to 12 S 0518682 4248879
4) Returned to Hab via Cow Dung Rd
Mode of travel: Curiosity, Spirit

Crew 216 EVA Report 25-Nov-2019
EVA # 02
Author: Whittle
Purpose of EVA: Collect gypsum samples from 1 sites iot produce plaster for research. Alexandrova to film.
Start time: 1400
End time: 1615

Narrative: Tested new comms on route out: much greater range, good comms with Hab to Cowboy Corner/Reservoir Dam. Retrieved gypsum samples from TW site and evaluated for future use/projects. Alexandrova collected lots of footage for documentary work. Cut EVA short due to approaching inclement weather, Martian dust storm began to hit just as crew arrived back at Hab and were plugging in rovers.

Destination: Tank Wash (TW) head

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS):
TW: 12 S 0517045 4253364.

Participants: Whittle, Kennedy, Alexandrova

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) Hab to 12 S 0518228 4253500 via Cow Dung Rd
2) Walk to/fm TW
3) Return to Hab via Cow Dung Rd
Mode of travel: Opportunity, Spirit

Crew 216 EVA Report 25-Nov-2019
EVA # 01
Author: Whittle
Purpose of EVA: Collect gypsum samples from 3 sites to produce plaster for research
Start time: 0830
End time: 1030

Narrative: On route to first point (Beige Moon, BM), realized the battery was draining quickly due to cold weather. Decided to drop BM as out of range, and just visit 2 closer sites (WM2 and WM1). Scattered gypsum at WM2, lots more at WM1, collected approx. 1 kg. Both sites precisely marked for future reference.

Destination: White Moon 2 sites (WM2, WM1)
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS):
WM2: 12 S 0517833 4254621;
WM1: 12 S 0517681 4254318.

Participants: Whittle, Kennedy, Lawson

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) Hab to 12 S 0517742 4254636 via Cow Dung Rd
2) Walk to/fm WM2
3) 12 S 0517742 4254636 to 12 S 0517773 4254333 via Cow Dung Rd
4) Walk to/fm WM1
5) Return to Hab via Cow Dung Rd
Mode of travel: Curiosity, Spirit

[title EVA Report – November 19th]

Crew 215 EVA Report 19-Nov-2019
EVA # 10
Author: Jennifer Lane
Purpose of EVA: To return rock samples used for training to collection sites
Start time: 0915
End time: 1025
Narrative: We made our way south on Cow Dung road to road 1101 where we pulled up and
found a nice place to return our agate samples, among other things that we had been
viewing through the microscope. On our way back up Cow Dung Road we stopped to take
photos at several locations, noting that this was likely to be our last EVA due to the
incoming inclement weather.
Destination: Entry to road 1101
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 519500E 4247300N
Participants: Guy Murphy, Shane Usher and Jennifer Lane
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: South on Cow Dung Road, onto road 1101
Mode of travel: Curiosity Rover and Spirit Rover

[title EVA Report – November 16th]

[category eva-report]

Crew 215 EVA Report 16-Nov-2019
EVA # 08
Author: Jennifer Lane
Purpose of EVA: Continue with the sweeping of Micrometeorite Site 5 (MM5) grid squares
Start time: 1305
End time: 1515
Narrative: The crew made their way to the micrometeorite sampling site and managed to sweep 36 squares, which finished the remainder of our 10×10 grid. They were also able to collect aggregate to experiment with creating our Martian concrete. This will take place next week during the final week of the rotation.
Destination: MM5 site south along Cow Dung Road
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 518462E 4248949N
Participants: Guy Murphy, Shane Usher and Larissa Wilson
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road
Mode of travel: Opportunity and Spirit Rover