Category: EVA Report

Crew 206 EVA Report 27-Feb-2019
EVA #3

Author: Aurélien Mure

Purpose of EVA: The EVA is built to begin the exploration and to
familiarize the crew with mid range EVA’s. We will go with the rovers to
the moons region and start hiking from this point. The purpose will be
to explore by walking The Moon, Gray Moon, Beige Moon and Yellow Moon.
The rovers will be parked at the intersection between Copernicus Hwy and
Brahe Hwy, the rest will be done by walking counterclockwise starting
with Yellow Moon. It is important for us to start doing long EVA’s to be
used to it quickly. As 2 of us will be commanders of crews in 2020 and
we can’t know yet who would it be, the whole group needs to be trained
to all types of EVA’s. That is why we will continue to ask for EVA’s
with four marsonauts. Moreover, in our mind being two on each rover is
safer than being alone.

If we realize that the batteries won’t allow this, we will stop at White
moon and explore by hiking Beige Moon and Gray Moon, or if we have to
stop before near Reservoir Dam and Cowboy Corner.

Start time: 9:08 am

End time: 11:14 am

Narrative: After the 5 minute depressurization, our team Blue (Gaspard
and me) checked the rovers state, they were charged and ready. Team Red
(Benjamin and Norbert) checked the water level of the static tank. Team
Blue will ride Opportunity and Team Red Curiosity. The departure was at
9:18. We drove to the LOAC place to check quickly the battery level.
12,2V, everything is nominal, our experiment is on its ay. We drove
carefully with as objective saving energy. We checked the battery every
2 min to decide if we went to our plan A (Copernicus Hwy), plan B
(beginning of Brahe Hwy) or plan C (Reservoir Dam). We went through our
plan C destination with enough energy to continue until plan B
destination. Just after Reservoir Dam we decided to focus on plan B. We
arrived at the beginning of Brahe Hwy with 67% of battery for
Opportunity and 72% for Curiosity. We went for a walk in the region of
Grey Moon, for an hour and around 3km. The ground was very slippery so we
were extremely careful with our steps.

At 10:46 we decided to leave the place and go back to the Hab. We
arrived at 11:06, with Curiosity at 61% and Opportunity at 34%. With
Spirit that is supposed to be the laziest one, we stick to the reality
as on mars Curiosity is in operation, Opportunity has died 4 months ago
and Spirit a long time ago !

Destination: Gray Moon
Coordinates : 516450/4254800

Participants: Aurélien Mure (XO, EVA leader), Benjamin Auzou (COMMS ),
Gaspard Thieulin (ENG), Norbert Pouzin (GHO)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map : Entrance Road , Cow Dung Road

Mode of travel: Driving and Walking

Crew 206 EVA Report 25 Feb 2019

EVA #1

Author : Jeremy Auclair

Purpose of EVA : Training new crew members and finding a spot to install the LOAC and the weather station

Start time : 08:42 am

End time : 10:11 am

Narrative : After the 5 minute depressurization, we checked the water levels and the rovers’ batteries. At 08:52 am, We took Opportunity and Curiosity to go towards the Stream Bed Connector intersection. On the way, we stopped at 08:55 at the spot where we had put the LOAC last year (crew 189), to have a comparison point. We then went to Pooh’s corner at 08:58 to have a small walk (7-8 minutes). At this point my visor had started to get pretty foggy (with backpack 1), but I could still walk around safely. We the took the rovers again to head to the Stream Bed Connector, but with the snow we failed to recognize it. We went a bit to far (almost up to Galileo road). After tunrning around we arrived at 09:15 am. We walked around for about 5 minutes, once again to get used to the suits. We then headed back to the Hab to park the rovers. At 09:30 am we plugged both rovers in and we started
walking East North-East to find a good location to install our instruments. They have to be in a relatively flat place, not to close to any hills or mounts, and close to the road, to facilitate changing the batteries (the LOAC is powered with car batteries). We found this place at 09:40 am (–). After that we continued walking around and talking picture before heading back to the Hab. We arrived in the airlock at 10:04 am. One minute after pressurization, we realised we had forgot the EVA equipment bag in Curiosity, so we depressurized again, went to retreive it, and got in the airlock one final time. Pressurization started at 10:06 am. We got in the Hab at 10:11 am.

Destination :
Pooh’s corner : 518800E 4250900N
Stream Bed Connector : 519000E 425100N

Participants : Arélien Mure, Cerise Cuny, Norbert Pouzin and Jérémy
Auclair (EVA leader)

Road used : Cow Dung road

Mode of travel : Rovers and walking

EVA #10

Author: D. Robson, Commander

Purpose of EVA: Region Exploration and Sample Collection from Moon Regions

Start time: 1000

End time: 1245

Narrative: Warned about the potential for snow the previous night, the crew decided to cautiously undertake the EVA and continue monitor the weather system forming on the Southern Mountain to determine whether cancelling the EVA mid-way through would be necessary. The team began pre-EVA preparations at 0925 hrs, and entered the airlock for depressurization at 1006 hrs. The team of 4 headed North from the Hab along Cow Dung Road on the rovers Curiosity and Opportunity. They remained on this road for a while heading towards to Moon, losing contact with the Hab at 1011 near Galileo Road as expected. As they crossed Tank Wash it was noted Opportunity’s SOC was around 72% and Curiosity’s only a few % higher. The team turned West onto Brahe Highway and drove across the Moon Region, until they decided to stop a few hundred meters short of the Copernicus Highway turn off, due to Opportunity having 62% SOC remaining.

From here, the crew walked West along the road a bit more, but after finding a suitable location to explore from the road, turned NNE and headed into the Grey Moon area. Here they obtained a couple of samples from the grey material and dried riverbeds. Following river channels, they headed East, and encountered a reddish area near the joining of a few stream beds. It was here they obtained several samples including what were very clearly fossilised shells of ancient snails and limpets. A very exciting find.

They summited the hill by the red stream bed and spotted an interesting crevice where a larger stream used to flow. Following this for a few hundred metres they encountered other interesting sample sites that included what in the wet season would be a small waterfall as part of the wash at the crevice’s end which made for some good samples and photos. Spotting that Skyline Ridge and the peaks to the North West of them were becoming clouded, the team decided to return to the rovers by following the crevice back and then immediately turning back towards the road. They briefly stopped for some photos in-front of a grey lunar hill, in preparation for outreach events to celebrate 50 years since the Apollo 11 landings later this year. The crew returned to the rovers by 1200 and headed back towards Cow Dung Road along Brahe Highway. They briefly stopped again to GPS mark an interesting stratified ridge line to explore at a later date, and near Tank Wash to observe a proposed route to walk from that area to Murphy’s Canyon. The crew had returned to the Hab by 1240, and in the nick of time too, as within half an hour snow flurries had begun outside the Hab window, which has led to the second EVA of the day being cancelled.

Destination: Grey Moon

Coordinates: 0516450/4254400 (parked rovers)

Participants: Daniel Robson (CO), Nathan Hadland (GHO), Dave Masaitis (HSO), Veronica Trivino (ENG)

Roads and routes per MDRS Map: Driving North on Cow Dung Road (1572), turning West onto Brahe Highway (1575), and then walking around Grey Moon area.

Mode of Travel: Driving (Curiosity and Opportunity) and Walking

Crew 205 EVA Report 16 FEB 2019

EVA #09

Author: D. Robson, Executive Officer

Purpose of EVA: Exploration of geology on Kissing Camel Ridge East and testing of drone capabilities

Start time: 1300

End time: 1520

Narrative: After the first EVA (#08) came back safely and reported favourable ground conditions the second EVA of Sol 6 decided to go ahead as planned. The team began pre-EVA preparations at 1220, and entered the airlock for depressurisation at 1305. The team of 4 drove South East along Cow Dung Road away from the Hab towards Robert’s Rock Garden, using the rovers Spirit and Opportunity. During this travel H. Blackburn’s right breathing tube came out of the backpack (remaining connected to the helmet), so the team stopped to fix it and it remained in working condition for the rest of the EVA. Communications with the Hab was lost as they passed behind the ridge as expected.

The team passed through Robert’s Rock Garden and parked on the South side of the Ridge, and here tested flying the drone in EVA suits to ensure its workability, which was successful if a little inaccurate in the wind. The team then walked back through the garden to ascend from the North side of the Ridge. This was done to re-establish and preserve comms with the Hab during the ascent which worked as planned. The team began their ascent at 1342. H. Blackburn’s radio battery died at 1345 so the team remained within shouting distance for safety, and the crew has discontinued its use. Soon after, the breathing tube on M. Grulich’s EVA backpack also detached in the same manner as H. Blackburn’s had earlier. Both suits have been set aside for work tonight to determine their usability. In addition, Grulich’s helmet had a problem, in that the indented “flap” became detached from the top of its join to the helmet and so was pressing down on her head and shoulders. Grulich didn’t notice this problem until the other team members inspected her suit when the breathing tube came out, so we are unable to determine a cause or time of malfunction. The helmet, in addition to the suit is set aside awaiting repairs. At 1407 the team reached the summit.

While at the top they took photos for outreach and tested the drone along with its vertical camera capabilities. The drone had difficulty maintaining a stable position at the summit due to the increased wind, so the team decided to land it safely.

The team noted that the South side descent appeared to be easier than their North side ascent, and so informed the Hab of their intent to climb down this way. The Hab acknowledged and wished them luck before the comms stopped as they went down the far side. The team reached the bottom safely and returned to Spirit and Opportunity and drove back towards the Hab at 1505.

Having accomplished their mission objectives early, the team decided to stop at the Mars Society MDRS sign on Cow Dung Road south of the Hab, and take some photos together there too. They also use this opportunity for a final test flight of the drone and its camera. Again, the drone flight was hampered by the wind although some photos were taken. The team returned to the Hab airlock at 1535.

Destination: North Ridge, South side base and summit

Coordinates: 0518350/4251450

Participants: Veronica Trivino (CO), Maria Grulich (MEDIA), Hannah Blackburn (COMMS), Natalia Larrea (HSO)

Roads and routes per MDRS Map: South East on Cow Dung Road, parked Southside of Robert’s Rock Garden and walked North to South over Kissing Camel Ridge East before returning by rover to the Hab on Cow Dung Road again.

Mode of Travel: Driving (Spirit & Opportunity) and walking (from 0518400/4249400 to 0518400/4248900 – from North to South side of Kissing Camel Ridge East)

Crew 205 EVA Report 16 FEB 2019

EVA #08

Author: D. Robson, Executive Officer

Purpose of EVA: Terrain familiarization and sample collection

Start time: 0930

End time: 1200

Narrative: With the weather remaining favourable overnight and the ground being safe to walk on, it was decided that EVA 08 would go ahead as approved and planned. The team began pre-EVA preparations at 0845 hrs, and entered the airlock for depressurisation at 0923 hrs. The team of 4 headed North from the hab towards North Ridge and encountered no problems on the way to the foot of the cliff. A route, separate from 1103, was found up to the top of the ridge. The crew here decided to split into teams of 2 at around 0945, with one covering the lower areas of the cliff for sample marking, while the other completed the ascent to obtain samples from the top and take photos for outreach. Communications were maintained between both teams and the Hab, and the ascent was completed safely by 1011, by D. Masaitis and D. Robson. Two samples were taken from top of North Ridge, and the team at the bottom found a “rock garden” around the ESE of North Ridge at 0518790/4251422. This rock garden has been nicknamed “Hadland’s Garden”, after our GreenHab Officer and his dauntless quest for regolith and interesting rock samples.

Once the operation on the top of North Ridge was completed, the team of 2 were guided down the slope by the ground team of N. Hadland and G. Alotaibi, who had already identified the safest route while sample location. The teams rejoined at the bottom of North Ridge safely at 1050.

From here the full EVA team began taking samples from around the base of North Ridge and the newly identified rock garden area. Sample collecting was finished by 1130, and the team returned to MDRS by 1141 for re-pressurisation.

Destination: North Ridge, South side base and summit

Coordinates: 0518350/4251450

Participants: Daniel Robson (XO), Nathan Hadland (GHO), Dave Masaitis (ENG), Ghanim Alotaibi (ASTRO)

Roads and routes per MDRS Map: Walking parallel to route 1103, before ascending North Ridge and exploring East along its base

Mode of Travel: Walking Only

EVA #07

Author: N. Hadland, Executive Officer

Purpose of EVA: Terrain familiarization and sample collection

Start time: 1030

End time: 1115

Narrative: The crew left the Hab at approximately 10:35 and headed North towards North Ridge. In a clear space about 200m North of the robotic observatory they tested their drone “Parrot Mambo No. 5” for the first time. It succeeded in taking off with its ribbon attachments below but was noticeably perturbed in its flight by the winds so it landed and the ribbons were removed. The ribbon’s purpose is part of a proof of concept experiment to see whether a hovering drone with colorful ribbon below can be used as a beacon or lighthouse for nearby lost EVA crews. The drone took off a second time without this attachment and flew to an appreciable height of approximately 10m before the wind began blowing the drone too strongly and it was landed to prevent damage to the equipment. It was then put on charge on a portable power bank and the crew set off North again along Path 1103. Approximately 300m from the base of North Ridge in a hilly area the drone was flown again to take photographs of the crew below with the vertical camera. 4 photos were taken, some of which successfully show the crew below with good resolution. Before the crew began their approach to the North Ridge ascent on Path 1103 at approximately 1055, COMMS Officer H. Blackburn called in to notify the crew that the incidental weather they had been monitoring had reached the Hab and precipitation would likely reach the EVA team in under 10 minutes. For safety, the EVA was stopped and the crew returned to the Hab before the rain made the ground unsuitable for exploration. Effective monitoring of the environmental conditions at the Hab and clear communication with the EVA team ensured this was a productive and safe short EVA. The EVA team returned to the airlock at 1110 without incident.

Destination: Pooh’s Corner, North Ridge

Coordinates: 0518800/4250900 (Pooh’s Corner), 0518600/4251500 (North Ridge)

Participants: Natalia Larrea (GHO), Daniel Robson (HSO), Maria Grulich (MEDIA) Veronica Trivino (ENG)

Roads and routes per MDRS Map: North along Cow Dung Road (0110), through Pooh’s Corner, and then northwest to North Ridge

Mode of Travel: Walking

Crew 205 EVA Report 13 FEB 2019
EVA #06
Author: D. Masaitis, Executive Officer
Purpose of EVA: Terrain familiarization and sample collection
Start time: 1500
End time: 1551

Narrative: Meteorological conditions altered the EVA plan immediately, with high winds making flight testing of Crew 205’s unmanned aerial vehicle non-viable. The UAV was therefore left at the Hab prior to departure, but sample collection materials were retained. EVA #06 began at 1500 hours. The team headed to Old Repeater Point to proceed with geological sample collection and photography.

Halfway through, it started to rain. Increasing rain intensity made terrain slippery and the helmets in the EVA suits foggy. These conditions made operations difficult, and after evaluating their situation, the team decided to return to the Hab. EVA was concluded earlier than planned at 1551 hours.

Destination: Old Repeater Point, North Ridge
Coordinates: 4250900/517950 (Old Repeater Point), 4251500/518600 (North Ridge)
Participants: Natalia Larrea (CO), Daniel Robson (HSO), Maria Grulich (MEDIA) Ghanim Alotaibi (ASTRO)
Roads and routes per MDRS Map: Climbing western ridgeline to Old Repeater Point, then proceeding north and then northeast to North Ridge
Mode of Travel: Walking

Crew 205 EVA Report 13 FEB 2019
EVA #05
Author: D. Masaitis, Executive Officer

Purpose of EVA: Terrain familiarization and sample collection

Start time: 1030
End time: 1320

Narrative: Crew 205 received a mission change at 0800 hrs from the MDRS Director, and accepted a destination change from Maxwell Montes to Candor Chasma for their morning EVA. The team began pre-EVA preparations at 0930 hrs and entered the airlock for depressurization at 1020 hrs. The team initiated movement north on Cow Dung Road, using Curiosity and Opportunity to navigate north on Cow Dung Road and then east on Galileo Road. Communications were lost as expected, so the team proceeded east on Galileo Road before assuming a short halt at 0519900/4252950 to perform an orientation map check before descending into less-elevated terrain of S. Cactus Road.

Curiosity and Opportunity tracked southbound on Cactus Road (1104) until connecting with a dried stream bed, identified on the map as Stream Bed Connector. Here the team parked and dismounted to move into the western side of Candor Chasma.

Sample collection began as soon as the team got down into the canyon. V. Trivino (ENG) assisted N. Hadland with sample collection and labeling, while H. Blackburn took photographs of sample locations. D. Masaitis (XO) maneuvered slightly ahead of the collection team to locate follow-on collection sites, and the team continued to work its way east. By the time they reached 0520378/4251094 the team decided that they had collected enough samples as they could carry, and opted to return to the rovers. Upon reaching the rovers, there was still time remaining in the approved EVA window, so the team opted to backtrack up S. Cactus Road to get closer to a unique hilltop in the vicinity of 0520050/4251650.

After relocating the rovers, the team dismounted and climbed the hilltop to take some extra photographs for the Crew Journalist. While there, the EVA team established visual contact of N. Cactus Road heading towards Maxwell Montes and confirmed it against the map. The team returned to the rovers and began moving back towards the HAB, making one additional short halt in the vicinity of 0519900/4252950 to take a few more photos while D. Masaitis (XO) re-established communications with the HAB.

After a successful communication with HAB Control, the EVA team backtracked its route to the HAB, stowed the rovers and reported rover SOC (Curiosity:71%, Opportunity:67%) and hours (Curiosity:74.3, Opportunity:50.1) to HAB Control. At 1320 hours, the EVA team initiated their 5-minute pressurization, ending the EVA.

Destination: Candor Chasma, western end
Coordinates: 0520300/4251100
Participants: Dave Masaitis (XO), Nathan Hadland (GHO), Veronica Trivino (ENG), Hannah Blackburn (COMMS)
Roads and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road (0110) to Galileo Road (1104) to South Cactus Road (1104)
Mode of Travel: Driving (Cow Dung Rd, Galileo Rd, S. Cactus Rd.) and Walking (W. Candor Chasma)

Crew 204 EVA Report 07-FEB-2019

EVA # 8

Author: Avishek Ghosh.

Purpose of EVA: A short duration EVA to demonstrate how to operate rover remotely.

Start time: 08:00 hrs.

End time: 08:45 hrs.

Narrative: EVA started on time with a bright morning under a moderate wind. EVA crew were able to communicate remotely with the rover group from Sipna Engineering college in India. The group was able to control the child rover remotely over wi-fi and performed a couple of iterations. Probably this is the first time a rover is controlled and operated remotely (around 13,000 km far) on MDRS terrains.

Destination: Surrounding of Hab; mostly close to both sides of the Greenhab.

Coordinates: 518100 E ; 4250750 N

Participants: Kunal and Sonal.

Roads and routes per MDRS map: Close to hab (Route 1103).

Mode of travel: Walking.