Crew 223 EVA Report 06-03-2020
EVA #5
Author: Clément Plagne
Purpose of EVA: Change the batteries for MegaARES and LOAC.
Familiarising ourselves with the terrain and the hiking required for
exploration of the environment. Testing the recently repaired suits.
Start Time: 09:07
End Time: 11:04
Narrative:
We left the airlock at 09:12, a bit later than planned. Checks for rover
status and water level went nominally. Valentin was tasked with testing
the Honda ATV, that had failed to start previously – attempt was a
success and Valentin reached first gear to confirm ATV was running.
We reached the LOAC/MegaARES area at 09:20, and battery replacement
tasked went nominally as usual.
We took off for North Ridge and parked the ATVs near Stream Bed
Connector, heading west by foot. We witnessed a helicopter making a
close approach near us and kept going. We hiked through steep terrain,
trying to make our way to the top of the Ridge but stopping due to
safety concerns.
Our hike lasted for a bit less than an hour, going from hilly, red-hued
hills to rockier zones, to gray, nearly Moon-like zones. We decided to
leave earlier instead of attempting a tough looking climb in a rocky area.
We arrived back near the hab at 10:56, and were back in the airlock by
11:04. All suits worked perfectly.
Destination: North Ridge.
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12S 518500 4250800 and 12S 518500 425000
EVA Participants: Clément Plagne (EVA Leader, Journalist), Blandine
Gorce (HSO), Valentin Bellemin-Laponnaz (GreenHab Officer), Florian
Delpech (Astronomer)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road
Mode of travel: Driving (and walking when off-road)
Vehicles you will be using (If applicable): Rovers Deimos/Perseverance
and Curiosity