EVA Report – May 20th

Crew 281 EVA Report 20-05-2023
EVA # 6
Authors: Megan Kane (Commander), Ritupriya Patil (Executive Officer), Ana Pires (Crew Scientist)
Purpose of EVA:
Conduct Geotechnical Survey of the area and geomechanical assessment
Schmidt Hammer and Equotip measurements along scanlines
Geological and geotechnical assessment of the scanline using the created datasheet by the Crew Scientist
Acquire images and collect loose rock/soil samples
Drone flight to record all of the above operations and do aerial imagery
Start time: 0734 hrs
End time: 1004 hrs
Narrative:
At 0734 the three members of the EVA entered the airlock exiting at 0739. They first checked all the rovers and collected their information. Hours and State of Charge were recorded for each vehicle and it was verified that all were securely plugged in. They then unplugged Opportunity and Curiosity in preparation for heading out to Kissin Camel Ridge (Site). They left at 0745.
EVA Crew arrived at Site 0755. After parking the rovers the crew did a visual survey of the area to locate a good location for the scanline. At 0806 the crew conducted a water break. At 0809 they completed laying the scanline. Measurements commenced at approximately 0811. There were 5 stations total. See the completion times below:
Station 1 complete at 0820.
Station 2 complete at 0832
Station 3 complete at 0848
Station 4 complete at 0858
Station 5 complete at -0908
Water checks were taken between each station. Samples were collected near station 4 at 0858. When station 5 began at 0859 drone setup was started. Drone was launched at 0909 after station 5 was completed. Aerial images from the drone will be used for georeferencing the area around the scanline and be used for further overview and assessment of the geological setting. The drone landed at 0929.
At 0938 the crew headed back to the rovers. At 0943 they started back to MDRS in rovers arriving at 0955. The crew re-entered the airlock at 0959 and the hab at 1004.
Overview of EVA
Drove to Kissing Camel Ridge
Completed a scanline
Took drone footage for georeferencing
Issues Experienced During EVA
Schmidt hammer kept rebooting during vertical measurements. Method of measuring changed.
Equotip required reboot mid EVA.
Outcomes
Crew completed Rover checks
Crew drove to Kissing Camel Ridge
Crew Completed Geological survey
Drone footage of survey area collected
Collected 12 rocks, 1.599 kg; 2 tubes of soil, 154 g
Destination: Kissing Camel Ridge
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 518265 E, 4249570 N
EVA Participants 3: Ritupriya Patil (XO) (EVA Leader), KC Shashteen (Crew Engineer), Ana Pires (Crew Scientist)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Drive towards Cow Dung Road, take it south to Kissing Camel Ridge
Mode of travel: Drive the rover for 1.5 Km and then walk to the radius of 500m from the rover

EVA # 7
Authors: Megan Kane (Commander), Ritupriya Patil (Executive Officer), Rachel Jones (HSO)
Purpose of EVA:
Erect antenna to the North West of the hab’s rear airlock for Ham Radio set up
Collect footage
Note: Assistance may be needed to take a part of the antenna down in case of high winds.

Start time: 1205 hrs
End time: 1248 hrs
Narrative:
The crew exited the Hab, walked around to the approximate location for the antenna, then the coaxial cable was retrieved from where it had been passed through the tunnel wall. The cable length dictated where the station could be installed. It took 3 attempts to find a location where the ground spike could be deployed successfully. Once deployed the ground wire and mini were attached. This was followed by the antenna and lastly by the coaxial cable. Grounding pole could not be deployed and the wire was affixed to a rock. The hazard cones were placed and the crew returned to the hab.
Overview of EVA
Run Coaxial cable to location from hab
Erect Antenna
Set up groundwire
Deploy required safety cones

Issues Experienced During EVA
Ground was hard, the spike for the antenna was difficult to deploy. Grounding pole was unable to be deployed. Ground wire affixed to the rock wall instead.

Outcomes
Crew erected the HAM Radio Station

Destination: MDRS Hab and surrounding 500 m radius
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 0518100 E, 4250900 N
EVA Participants 2: Rachel Jones (HSO), Megan Kane (Commander)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Walk around the Hab
Mode of travel: Walk

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