Crew 286 EVA #11 report 23-NOV-2023
EVA # 11
Author: Roger Gilbertson
Purpose of EVA: To demonstrate a simplified MASH (Mobile Analog Space Habitat) EVA mission, with four persons aboard, able to travel further than the rovers. When parked it can serve as the base station for one or more walking EVAs, allowing astronauts to return, rest and refresh aboard, then return to the MDRS habitat as needed.
Start time for EVA: 9:00 am
End time for EVA: 12:00 pm
Narrative: The four astronauts boarded the MASH unit on time, with four EVA suits, radios and chargers already aboard. They detached from the docking portal next to the Science Dome at 9:15 am, backed out, then drove down Moon Walk Road, exited the campus and drove south on Cow Dung Road to Kissing Camel. There they performed a turn-around at the previously identified location, then parked.
All astronauts suited up, then the MASH depressurized its front section, and three astronauts exited. Ducky remained aboard as local Cap-Com. Lizzy and Gee walked along the base of the nearby ridge, with Liz piloting a drone scan of the magnificent geology, while Hugo captured images of the MASH operating in the the exotic terrain.
Unexpectedly, at about 10:55 am the MASH control panel showed a “check engine light” and the engine would not start. The crew contacted Cap-com and consulted with them about the situation. Cap-com informed Mission Support, and options were discussed. Ducky suited up, depressurized, and went out to check the fluids on the vehicle, remaining fully in-sim the entire time. Oil was added to the engine, and the vehicle then restarted properly.
Filmmaker Hugo was pleased to capture an actual unexpected situation, and though it did not develop into a full “emergency,” it provided him with some moments of true drama and concern.
When all had reboarded and repressuized, they were able to have a small snack, then returned to MDRS in the comfort of the pressurized MASH interior. Redocking at the portal occurred smoothly, and the vehicle doors were opened at exactly 12:00 pm.
Destination and Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84):
• Kissing Camel (518250, 4249510)
EVA Participants:
• Donald Jacques
• Liz Cole
• Guillaume Gégo
• Hugo Saugier
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road south to Kissing Camel (518250, 4249510)
Mode of travel: MASH vehicle, walking (not further than 100 meters from MASH)
Vehicles you will be using: MASH
Crew Photos – November 22nd
Journalist Report – November 22nd
Sol 10 Journalist Report 22-NOV-2023
Liz Cole
Morning:
Scott Beibin (crew inventor) and Liz Cole (crew journalist) embarked on a morning EVA, capturing LiDAR scans and drone footage of the exteriors of the MDRS campus and facilities.
After a short break to rehydrate and recharge batteries, preparation started for the afternoon EVA.
Afternoon:
Donald Jacques (crew executive officer) and Guillaume Gégo (crew scientist) prepared the MASH for its EVA on Sol 11. The Mobile Analog Space Habitat will serve as the base station for a walking EVA, providing an opportunity for astronauts to rest aboard the MASH after they achieve the mission of the EVA, then return to the habitat. Scott set up to perform a Ptelepathetique concert just before the Martian sunset near the Observatory dome, with Liz recording the concert with the drone camera.
We used the RAM again as the airlock to accommodate Scott’s equipment for his concert, and Don and Guillaume’s preparation for getting the MASH ready for EVA.
Roger Gilbertson (crew commander) poured his third casting for medium complexity metal castings made of bismuth.
The plants continue to sprout in the GreenHab. Our hope is to have a harvest of sprouts by Thanksgiving.
Guillaume took samples, and further readings from the purple bacteria experiment. The Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1 and Rhodospirillum rubrum SH1 are both growing well.
Sol Summary – November 22nd
Crew 286 Sol 10 Summary Report 22-NOV-2023
Sol: 10
Summary Title: “Droning on the Campus”
Author’s name: Roger Gilbertson
Mission Status: Nominal
Sol Activity Summary: In the morning, the EVA 9 crew realized they would not need the entire duration originally planned, and requested a later departure time to allow for better lighting of the campus structures.
Guillaume conducted a live video tour of the interior of the habitat and the various buildings, including the suiting up for the EVA 9.
Suiting up for EVA 9 went smoothly, and equipment was placed in the airlock. Their work proceeded effectively. Liz encountered some configuration errors with the drone, and eventually realized that the information provided in the manual was not entirely correct, or that something had changed from the standard settings. Many excellent scans and aerial clips were captured. They successfully returned, but five minutes past the requested ending time.
The Afternoon EVA 10 preparations for the music performance involved moving video and drone equipment to the RAM for departure. Don and Guillaume assisted with the opening of the RAM door, then went to the MASH vehicle to perform activities needed for tomorrow’s EVA 11. They completed their work in good time, then sat outside the habitat building, and had a discussion about the prospects for bringing living to Mars, which was recorded on video and audio by documentarian Hugo.
Scott and Liz moved out to the area between the two observatory domes. Liz conducted drone surveys of the buildings while Scott prepared his equipment. Liz again encountered challenges with the drone, nevertheless some excellent scans and aerial video clips were captured. Scott also encountered technical and system problems, however they were all eventually overcome, and the music performance began about 4:00 pm. The weather and lighting cooperated, and the sounds of “martian” music drifting across the surface could be heard from the Observatory dome enclosure, enveloping the observers in magical moments of calm and stillness.
After, equipment was collected and they both returned to the RAM airlock, closing the door about 5 minutes behind plan.
Roger successfully cast the third and final bismuth metal piece, and will be trimming them for final assembly this evening.
Don prepared the MASH for tomorrow morning’s proposed EVA. Discussions were held about maximizing the results of our final full sol, and the need to write up our Final Mission Report tomorrow.
SOL 10 PLAN (tomorrow, our last full day of sim): The science program will continue to monitor bacterial growth. Guillaume has a video interview in the morning. EVA 11 with the MASH vehicles is planned for 9 am to noon. We will then submit our Final Mission Report, and celebrate with a martian Thanksgiving dinner.
EXIT PLAN: At present we plan to exit sim after awaking Friday morning. We will clean, inventory, pack, and load the Crew Car. Then, as time allows, we would like to borrow the Habitat Car and conduct an out-of-sim drive to the Special Area to the north. We will return to campus by 4 PM, then depart in the Crew Car for Grand Junction.
Anomalies in work: none
Weather: sunny
Crew Physical Status: nominal
EVA: EVA 9 completed, EVA 10 completed, request for EVA 11 submitted.
Reports to be filed: Sol Summary, Journalist report, Photos, Operations report, Green Hab report, EVA 9 report, EVA 10 report, EVA 11 request.
Support Requested: none
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