Author: jburk

Crew 216 EVA Report 26-Nov-2019
EVA # 04
Author: Kennedy
Purpose of EVA: Evaluate communication range to east of Hab with 5W radio transceiver, explore locations for communications rebroadcast, collect drone footage for education.
Start time: 1400
End time: 1545
Narrative: We began with a small technical difficulty with the drone footage. Michael had to replace the battery and reevaluate the auto follow feature. He eventually manually operated the drone while we drove the vehicles. Once in transit the drive to Galileo Road was uneventful. Near the junction of Galileo Rd 1104 and Cactus Rd 1104 the road travels in the wash. Due to recent precipitation, signs of vehicle travel were erased, we had to scout on foot to confirm the route that was in the GPS and maps was accurate. After a short survey of the area we found the rest of the road and continued down Cactus Rd 1104. At 0520999E 4252250N we stopped and evaluated the area. Comms were solid as there are few obstructions between that area and the Hab. The area was still quite grassy and not terribly Martian. We returned without incident.
Destination: Eastern end of Cactus Rd 1104
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12 S 0521940 4252800.
EVA Participants: Kennedy, Ho, Levesque
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) Hab to 12 S 0519100 4251980 via Cow Dung Rd,
2) 12 S 0519100 4251980 to 12 S 0519880 4251540 via Galileo Rd 1104
3) 12 S 0519880 4251540 to east end of Cactus Rd 1104
4) Explore suitable areas either side of road on foot
5) Return to Hab via reverse route
Mode of travel: Rover/Walk
Vehicles used: Opportunity, Spirit

[end]

[title EVA Report – November 26th]

Crew 216 EVA Report 26-Nov-2019
EVA # 03
Author: Whittle
Purpose of EVA: Evaluate communication range to S of Hab with 5W radio transceiver, explore locations for communications rebroadcast, collect more footage for documentary.
Start time: 0900
End time: 0945
Narrative: Crew left Hab to test range of 5W radio transceiver. Continued radio checks every minute until lost comms with Hab when passing through Kissing Camel Ridge (this had been the hypothesized loss of comms point due to terrain) at approximately 0905. Crew parked on road at grid 12 S 0518682 42488798. After discussing plan to evaluate high points at 12 S 0518585 4248798 and 12 S 0518758 4249076 (West and East of Cow Dung Rd), crew climbed West point (12 S 0518585 4248798). Here crew reestablished communications with Hab at 0915, discussed plan to evaluate second point to East of Cow Dung Rd (12 S 0518758 4249076). Crew captured landscape footage here. On route to 12 S 0518758 4249076 at approximately 0930 crew received message from Hab instructing return to Hab due to comms issue. Crew complied and returned to Hab, arriving at 0940. It should be noted for the report that crew maintained good internal EVA communications at all times (save for approximately 2 minutes after exiting rovers when ARES 9’s microphone fell off his head), and had good communications with Hab at all times except for the aforementioned loss of communications between passing through Kissing Camel Ridge and arriving at the high point at grid 12 S 0518585 4248798. On return, crew was made aware of communications issues at Hab, these did not affect internal comms amongst EVA members on channel 22, or communication from EVA to Hab using the 5W transceiver.
Destination: High Point South of Kissing Camel Ridge
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12 S 0518585 4248798.
Participants: Whittle, Lawson, Alexandrova
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) Hab to 12 S 0518682 4248879 via Cow Dung Rd
2) Walked from 12 S 0518682 4248879 to high point at 12 S 0518585 4248798
3) Walked from 12 S 0518585 4248798 to 12 S 0518682 4248879
4) Returned to Hab via Cow Dung Rd
Mode of travel: Curiosity, Spirit