Day: April 13, 2023

Crew 279 EVA Report 13-04-2023

EVA #12
Author: Agnès Dekeyser, Crew Executive Officer
Purpose of EVA:
The goal was to recover Agnes’ bacteria samples in North Ridge that we put in 5 days ago. She will bring them back to the Science Dome where their viability will be assessed and compared to their unexposed analog. Antoine was in support to carry the bacteria
This EVA was the last for Thomas’ experience. He had to take radioactivity measurements near the base with his detector. Thanks to a scintillator, he made punctual measurements of radioactivity (gamma emission) every 10 meters. He only had one zone left South-West from Hab (he aims for 50-100 measurements). His route was like a snake shape: (North (250m)-West (10m)-South (250m)-West (10m)-North (250m) and so on).
It was difficult to make measurements with only 1 person in support during the last EVA so he was helped by Agnes and Augustin who took note and guided him in his tracing with a GPS.
Start time: 8h14
End time: 11h59
Narrative:
The day started very early without the pancakes planned in the morning due to the difficulty the crew had in waking up. Anyway, some cereals did the trick to give energy to our martionauts going to EVA. They began their journey with the North Ridge to recover Agnès’ samples. Her bacteria samples have been placed there since Sol 5 to be exposed to Mars’ extreme condition and are now analysed in the science dome to assess their viability. They also took some time to enjoy the view one last time before going back to the rovers to begin Thomas’ experiment. Next to the rovers, our martionauts were photographed by some very curious martians.
After that, they drove back to the MDRS and transmitted the rover’s parameters to the Hab. Then, they went to the first GPS coordinates and began radioactivity measurements. Unfortunately, the scintillator was not working and they lost a bit of time to make it work. After changing the battery, it seemed to work and they were able to take all the measurements needed.
They came back in time to the Hab and both missions were a success.
Destination: North Ridge and Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS)
Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 518500 E, 4251750 N and 518200 E ,4251000 N
Participants: Agnès (Eva Leader)(XO), Antoine (Commander), Thomas (Scientist), Augustin (Greenhab)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road 0110
Mode of travel: Drive on Cow Dung Road 0110 to North Ridge then walking on the top of North Ridge. Then driving back to MDRS and walking no further than 300 meters.

EVA #13
Author : Aglaé Sacré, Crew journalist
Purpose of EVA:
Extensive mapping of Candor Chasma was carried out during SOL 6. Upon reprocessing the images, several intriguing locations were identified for the GHO’s experiment. Notably, certain cavities were found that may offer protection against radiation for human beings. Following measurements taken from a 3D model and instruction from Augustin, the EVA crew intended to validate his model’s effectiveness by localisation accuracy for a crew who haven’t seen the 3D map and performing identical measurements on-site. Ttele and Aglaé were to be the delegates of this mission.
Gwenael, our cameraman, had to be present to take beautiful shots in Candor Chasma for our sponsors, our networks and Belgian media who had requested an idyllic location. Antoine had to be there to help Gwenael carry the equipment and install everything to be efficient and save time.

Start time: 2:24pm
End time: 5:10pm

Narrative:

After a first mapping of the area by our GHO Augustin, the goal of this EVA was following measurements taken from a 3D model and instruction from Augustin, the EVA crew intended to validate his model’s effectiveness by localisation accuracy for a crew who don’t have seen the 3D map and performing identical measurements on-site.
We were able to find one and take the necessary steps.

The objectives of the EVA were completed, and interesting cavities were found. We also took the last images needed for our report.
We advanced several tens of minutes from the Candor Chasma and then we went back to the rover to join the station.

The EVA Crew was back at the Hab at 17:10.

Destination: Candor Chasma
Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 521500 E ,4251000 N
Participants: Aglaé (EVA Leader) (Journalist), Ttele (HSO), Gwenael (Astronomer), Antoine (commander)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road 0110 and Galileo Road 1104
Mode of travel: Drive on Cow Dung Road 0110 and Galileo Road 1104 to Compass Rock then walking to Candor Chasma.