[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