Crew 281 EVA Report 15-05-2023
EVA # 1
Authors: Ritupriya Patil (Executive Officer), Ana Pires (Crew Scientist)
Purpose of EVA: Training EVA + communication test with crew members and with the hab; test some of the geo-technologies
Start time: 8:27 AM
End time: 10:55 AM
Narrative: Crew of 3 took our first steps on the red planet. It was exhilarating to look at the red landscapes through the glass helmets of the newly donned spacesuits. The crew drove Curiosity and Perseverance to Cow Dung road and stopped at Marble Ritual.
The EVA was challenging since it was the first and took place right after a stormy and rainy night that added to the difficulty while walking on the muddy/slippery EVA site. The crew was able to gain experience for future traverse planning. The collected data (more than 200 measurements) will contribute towards the development of cartographic maps and geotechnical zoning of the region.
Overview of EVA
Operations check of Schmidt Hammer and Equotip (non-destructive testing equipment) and taking measurements for scanline and walk around for 100 m.
See how long it takes to complete one scanline for future EVA strategy.
Accomplish training goals for walking around the suit
Comms
Issues Experienced During EVA
The headset 4 for spacesuit comms does not work and needs to be replaced with one that works. Headset 1 was used in lieu of headset 4.
The measurements with the Schmidt hammer required extra effort from the crew scientist and it was quite difficult to take horizontal measurement.
Operating the equipment took a lot of physical effort.
Despite the Equotip being an automated equipment the crew engineer found it challenging to operate the probe with one hand.
Outcomes
The crew successfully achieved the primary goal of the EVA by recording 200 measurements for rock hardness with Schmidt Hammer and Equotip. In order to acquire images of the first scanline and take pictures of the geological features the crew scientist left the fibreglass tape onsite. This was a lesson learned and after the debrief, it was decided that no equipment from the EVA should be left behind.
Communications between the Hab Comm and EVA Comm were tested with success.
This EVA enabled us to work on design suggestions for future traverse planning to carry out the geological-geotechnical characterization.
The training for walking in the spacesuits and driving the rovers was completed.
Due to bad weather from the previous night, we had to be more careful while walking the slippery site our first EVA day as well as driving with more attention on the muddy roads, while taking into account the recommendation from mission support.
Despite the initial challenge to acquire data with both the equipment, in the end, crew scientist and engineer are more prepared to handle the Schmidt Hammer and Equotip.
We need a board or other way to post information in the EVA room
Destination: Marble Ritual
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 521500 E, 4251000 N
EVA Participants: 3: Ritupriya Patil (XO, EVA Lead), Ana Pires (Crew Scientist), KC Shasteen (Crew Engineer).
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Drive on Cow Dung Road and walk east until Marble Ritual.
Mode of travel: Curiosity and Perseverance
EVA # 2
Author: Ritupriya Patil (Executive Officer)
Purpose of EVA: Training EVA + communication test with crew members and with the hab; geology recognition (observation of geological features).
Start time: 10:45 AM
End time: 12:00 PM
Narrative: Crew of 3 drove Spirit and Opportunity to Cow Dung road and stopped at Marble Ritual.
Overview of EVA
The EVA consisted of testing communications with Hab Comm and mission support. Along with training completion for spacesuit walk and driving the rovers. The crew walked south east of Marble Ritual about 100m to recover the fibreglass tape and did some observation of geological features. The EVA was shortened due tourist activities at EVA location.
Issues Experienced During EVA
Some tourists arrived at the EVA location and the crew lost some EVA time since they had to wait. We acknowledged the mission support’s help with the situation.
Due to the tourists, we truncated the EVA and were only able to do visual observations of the geological features and we were not able to document those.
Outcomes
Good recognition of the area was done based on geological features.
Communications between the Hab Comm and EVA Comm were tested with success.
Fibreglass tape was recovered from the site.
Destination: Marble Ritual
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 521500 E, 4251000 N
EVA Participants: 3: Megan Kane (Commander, EVA Lead), Ana Pires (Crew Scientist), Rachel Jones (HSO).
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Drive on Cow Dung Road and walk east until Marble Ritual.
Mode of travel: Spirit and Opportunity