Month: November 2023

Crew 286 EVA #3 report 14-NOV-2023
EVA # 3
Author: Roger Gilbertson
Purpose of EVA: To explore and test sites for future hi-res LIDAR scanning and outdoor music performance.
Start time for EVA: 2:30 pm
End time for EVA: 4:35 pm
Narrative: Getting prepared was more efficient, thanks to lessons leaned from EVA 1 and 2, and the newly drafted EVA checklist. GPS monitors were worn by two crew members. The crew reported what seemed to be a rapid drop in remaining vehicle charge during their drive south. Curiosity was at 65% and Perseverance at 62% even with modest driving speeds. Due to that, they stopped their drive in the vicinity of Zubrin’s Head, and short of the intended Barrainca Butte walking path.
The afternoon EVA 3 departed about 30 minutes late and unfortunately the crew “assumed" a 30 minute extension without specifically requesting one from Mission Support. The EVA drove south on Cow Dung Road, noting a rapid drop in both vehicle’s state of charge. Communications became intermittent due to increasing distance from the repeater. One EVA crew member’s radio seemed to stop working, so they resorted to remaining close together in order to use gestures and shouting. CapCom was not notified of the radio problem until after the end of EVA.
Photo were captured using iPhone and documentary video was captured by professional Panasonic EVA-1, with audio recording via separate a Zoom H8 microphone on a stand, which also recorded sound of the radio coms. LIDAR scans were performed near the vicinity of Zubrin’s Head. A series of scans were collected using a iPhone 13 and NeRF (Neural Radiance Field) software to build 3D models.
The crew returned to the habitat at precisely 4:30 and entered the airlock at 4:35.

Destination: Barrainca Butte (not achieved), Zubrin’s Head reached.
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): Barrainca Butte (518799,4250996)
EVA Participants:
• Scott Beibin
• Liz Cole
• Hugo Saugier

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: South on Cow Dung Road, to area of Zubrin’s Head (4247500, 520000), park and perform scans in the area. Retrace route back to Hab.
Mode of travel: Driving and walking

Vehicles you will be using: Curiosity, Perseverance

Crew 286 EVA #1 report 13-NOV-2023
EVA #1
Author: Roger Gilbertson
Purpose of EVA: To carry out our first EVA to Marble Ritual in order to learn and practices operations, and usage of spacesuit, photo and video equipment, and general EVA methodology.
Start time for EVA: 11:30 am
End time for EVA: 1:00 pm
Narrative: Getting prepared took longer to complete than expected. Departure was additionally delayed slightly when one rover was not unplugged. Mission support provided an extension to the excursion time by 30 minutes. Time was spent learning proper and effective radio communications.
Lidar Scanning – Performed three successful low-res landscape scans at several exterior locations. Used iPhone 14 and PolyCam Pro app software. Locations were selected that showed effects of water erosions. Other sites showed details of selected rock formations. Attention was paid to operator position to minimize shadows. Software requires processing in the field.
Photo and video – Captured using iPhone and Android phones, and Sony Alpha camera.
360 Video – Captured using Insta360 One RS 1inch.
Aerial drone photography – Captured using Ascend Aeronautics ASC 2600. Test flights were of limited time to increasing breezes aloft.
Challenges arose from headsets slipping, as they were worn without caps. Caps will be worn on future missions. As walking paths went behind various berms radio reception varied, and signal tests were conducted as people moved in and around outcroppings.
The team forgot to bring the LoRa GPS modules. The team forgot to record the hours and state of charge when powering up the rovers. A small tripod was inadvertently dropped during the EVA. Crew stopped briefly for rehydration during EVA. Sunblock needs to be worn.
Destination: Marble Ritual
Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): (518799,4250996)
EVA Participants:
• Liz Cole
• Scott Beibin
• Donald Jacques
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: N Cow Dung Rd, parking point WSG (518606,4251022)
Mode of travel: We will drive to N Cow Dung Rd to the parking point (518666,4251022), then we will walk to Marble Ritual (518799,4250996). Then we will walk back to the vehicles and return to the HAB.
Vehicles used: Spirit, Curiosity