Crew 281 EVA Report 26-05-2023
EVA # 13
Authors: Ritupriya Patil (Executive Officer, EVA Lead), Ana Pires (Crew Scientist)
Purpose of EVA:
Drone flight to record and do aerial imagery for new exploration areas
Acquire vertical images and videos for previously done geotechnical survey of Marble Ritual (Not completed)
Start time: 0738 hrs
End time: 1123 hrs
Narrative:
Today was the longest EVA a crew of two. At 0738 hrs the crew left the airlock for rover checks, then continued to set up for a drone payload test. The objective was to deliver a lightweight medical kit to a simulated injured astronaut, this was to establish a proof of concept for flying drone in an emergency scenario in extreme climate (essentially a high desert); and MDRS was the perfect place. 9 tests were performed, 3 out of those were with zero payload to set up a baseline for the experiment. Ana (Crew Scientist) enacted as the injured analogue astronaut, KC (Crew Engineer) was the HabCom and recorded the flight data; Ritu (XO, EVA Lead) was the drone pilot and experimental flight test lead. There were 2 payloads 25 g and 40 g that were retrieved by Ana, stationed 60 m away from the pilot during the 6 tests. The crew was successful in procuring the payload and flying the drone back safely with the harness intact. Special care was taken, and wind checks were performed prior to each flight. Post flight battery usage after each flight varied based on the combination of the payload weight and winds (between 3-5 knots). On an average the battery usage was from 8% – 15% on the payload flights (higher usage for heavier payload).
The data from this experiment will be used in calculating and scaling the analysis for a bigger drone system that would be capable of carrying heavier load and be flight capable in high winds, and lower air density. This analysis will further feed into design concepts to aid to drone (or a similar system) delivery on Mars.
Next stop for the crew was Marble Ritual, to acquire vertical images and videos for previously done geotechnical survey at the site. Some great shots of the MDRS campus tucked in the red “Martian” terrain were captured from Marble Ritual.
Final objective for today’s EVA was to explore the Special Region. The crew drove north on Cow Dung Road passing the now known landmarks of Pooh’s Corner, Galileo Road, Cowboy Corner, intersection to Brahe Hwy 1572, and then left on Gateway to Lith to reach the destination, formerly known as Burpee Quarry. The crew witnessed sediment depositions from a large river that must have run through the quarry area and created a bend. Ritu got aerial imagery of the location and Ana collected 7 rock samples (226g) and soil samples (299g). The crew accomplished all the EVA goals and with a bittersweet emotion drove back to the hab after their final EVA for the mission. It was an honour to be able to participate in exploration of this “Martian” landscape. It was a humbling experience and the crew would do it again in a heartbeat!
Overview of EVA
Drone payload test to simulate medical emergency delivery
Drive on Cow Dung Road to the North, until Marble Ritual, park and walk right hand side to Marble Ritual scanline boulders
Drive on Cow Dung road further North, take left on Gateway to Lith. Drive 200 m, park on the side of the road and walk no more than 500 m radius
Issues Experienced During EVA
Intermittent comms issues.
Outcomes
Crew completed Rover checks
Acquired vertical images and videos for previously done geotechnical survey of Marble Ritual
Explored Special region, collected rock and soil samples and drone footage
Collected 7 rocks, (226g) and soil samples (299g)
Destination:
MDRS Hab and surrounding 500 m radius
Marble Ritual, walking no more than a radius of 500m;
Special Region
Coordinates :
(use UTM WSG 84): 518100 E, 4250900 N
(use UTM WSG 84): 518687 E, 4250789 N
(use UTM WSG 84): 518424E, 4256117N
EVA Participants 2: Ritupriya Patil (XO, EVA Lead), Ana Pires (Crew Scientist)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
Walk around the Hab
Drive on Cow Dung Road to the North, until Marble Ritual, park and walk right hand side to Marble Ritual scanline boulders
Drive on Cow Dung road further North, take left on Gateway to Lith. Drive 200 m, park on the side of the road and walk no more than 500 m radius
Mode of travel: Rover