Crew 281 EVA Report 21-05-2023
EVA # 8
Authors: Megan Kane (Commander), Ritupriya Patil (Executive Officer), Ana Pires (Crew Scientist)
Purpose of EVA:
Second test for Pegasus Scoop (rock sampling device)
Acquire images
Test and operations
Drone payload test and drill
Test attaching a payload harness to the drone
Fly with payload to 100 m (short distance test)
This will be first minimum weight payload to establish a proof of concept
Possibly reposition antenna to the North West of the hab’s rear airlock for Ham Radio set up
Collect footage
Start time: 0834 hrs
End time: 1020 hrs
Narrative:
At 0834 the three members of the EVA entered the airlock exiting at 0839. They first went to the Pegaus Scoop test site. They arrived at site at approximately 0843 and set up the scoop. It operated well. Video footage was taken by GoPro and drone. The drone launched at 0845 and landed at 0852. The scoop battery was disconnected at this time as well.
Rachel and Ritu walked back to the hab and prepared for the drone payload test. HabComm recorded data. There were 9 tests
Test 1 – no payload – 0902 -0906
Test 2 – no payload – 0911 -0914
Test 3 – no payload – 0917-0919
Test 4 – no payload -0929 – 0931
Test 4 – 40g payload – 0940 -0948
Test 6 – 40g payload – 0954 – 0956
Test 7 – 50g payload – Abort
Test 8 – 50g payload – Abort
Test 9 – 50g payload – Walk test – 1000 – 1002
After completing the tests, Ana retrieved the scoop and placed it under Spirit Rover to retrieve later. At 1006 the Crew took a water break then proceeded to check the antenna. At 1009 it was confirmed that the antenna was in good condition.
At 1010 they returned to the Hab. Then 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.
The crew re-entered the airlock at 1015 and the Hab at 1020.
Overview of EVA
Tested Pegasus Scoop
Conducted Drone payload test
Checked Antenna
Issues Experienced During EVA
The simulated injured astronaut was not in a straight path of the drone’s line of sight. The trial flight without payload had to be redone to set a baseline. We wanted to get minimum variations and repeatability in the tests in terms of distance/speed tracking.
An improved landing pad would be useful for the payload preparation and landing– perhaps a larger towel or a second towel, because the downwash from the propellers would fly the small towel out of location and cause it to bunch up, further exposing the landing area and kicking all dust up.
When we went for a higher weight of 50 grams payload the harness did not work out, further work will be done to resolve that.
Outcomes
Crew completed Rover checks
Crew tested Pegasus Scoop
Crew completed drone payload test
Acquired footage of both tests
Crew checked Radio Antenna
Destination: MDRS Hab and surrounding 500 m radius
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 518100 E, 4250900 N
EVA Participants 3: Ritupriya Patil (XO, EVA Lead), Rachel Jones (HSO), Ana Pires (Crew Scientist)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Walk around the Hab
Mode of travel: Walk