Category: EVA Report

Crew 305 EVA Report 15-12-2024

EVA # 07

Author: Ian Pamerleau

Purpose of EVA: Obtain Paleosol samples, measure ephemeral stream widths, and scout south of Kissing Camel Ridge for media day.

Start time: 10:00 hr

End time: 12:55 hr

Narrative: The initial plan for EVA 07 was to visit the area just south of Kissing Camel Ridge (KCR) to take samples and measurements and generally familiarize ourselves with the area for Wednesday (media day). However, we decided it might be a good idea to go a bit further south/southeast along the channel for EVA 07 and save the area adjacent to KCR for Wednesday, which we would have to drive through and be able to plan out a bit. I believe an error occurred on my end when I had the EVA request copied from the template document into an email draft waiting for comms, but then only adjusted the document to reflect this decision and never updated the email draft before sending. Therefore, the updated, more southern coordinate was not in our official EVA 07 request. I made another error in the field which led to us walking even further south along the stream than I anticipated. I was searching for a large tributary (at approximately 520253E, 4248330N) that flows into the main wash during this EVA. I expected a relatively large tributary flowing into the channel (as it was the junction of two streams a little bit upstream). Based on my topographic analysis before the EVA with a digital elevation model (DEM), this tributary should have been distinct form others in the region. However, when we passed it, I mistook it as one of the many smaller tributaries due to its size and similarity with the other small junctions into the main wash. Therefore, we kept moving south along the streambed, and I had assumed I mistook the distance to the tributary from the map (the DEM is fairly coarse compared to satellite images but suitable to define streams). Due to the limited time of our EVA and both geologists in the field already, I did not radio the Hab for advice, and we just returned to the rovers after traveling south for a bit and ended up going much further than what was on the official EVA 07 request. I apologize for my clerical error with the email and for the mishap in the field.

Ian led the EVA accompanied by Peter and Hunter. Curiosity and Opportunity began the day with 291.4 hr and 197.3 hr, respectively, and 100% battery each. We took Cow Dung Road south for the first time ever and arrived at the bend in Cow Dung Road at about 519500E, 4248300N. The team disembarked from the rovers and headed east towards the stream. The tributary we parked the rovers by soon flowed into the main channel that flows north from KCR, which is probably the largest ephemeral stream we have been in! Peter and I took some width measurements while Hunter was taking some samples along a cut bank of the stream. We then headed south in search of some large tributaries Ian planned on taking measurements of. We went up a couple small tributaries, but passed the main one Ian was looking for unfortunately as it blended in as another small tributary (there were quite a few). We kept heading south in search of a larger tributary, but did not find one. Instead, we found a lot of igneous rocks, which is something that was very rare or not present in Candor and Eos Chasma. At our stopping point, where we turned back towards the rovers, we noted that there was an ATV path that led down from Cow Dung Road closer to the main channel for a future EVA. We also saw a great outcrop of many of the stratigraphy exposed throughout the MDRS campus. On the way back to the rovers, we took another stream measurement as Hunter took some Paleosol samples, but both Ian and Hunter think they could get some more data out of the region. When the team returned to the Hab, the rovers were at 291.8 hr and 73% battery (Curiosity) and 197.8 hr 69% battery (Opportunity).

Destination: Main ephemeral stream running south & the tributaries nearby

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): drive rovers to 519750E, 4248250N; traveled east to the main ephemeral stream then south as far as 520341E, 4247512N.

Participants: Ian Pamerleau, Hunter Vannier, Peter Zoss

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: MDRS driveway, Cow Dung Road south through Kissing Camel Ridge down to the bend in the road going east (about 519750E, 4248250N). Then dismount and walk along the stream south.

Mode of travel: Rovers (Opportunity and Curiosity) & walking

Crew 305 EVA Report 16-12-2024

EVA # 08

Author: Ian Pamerleau

Purpose of EVA: Obtain samples on Hab Ridge, take a stream measurement east of Hab Ridge Road, obtain samples near Zubrin’s Head, take two stream measurements east of Zubrin’s Head.

Start time: 12:00 hr

End time: 15:25 hr

Narrative: Ian led the EVA accompanied by Hunter and Spruha. We had planned on testing Hermes around the Hab and in the field, but he was not operational for EVA 08. Instead, we proceeded with the other plans for the EVA. We began by walking north of the Hab along route 1103. Crossing over the flatter lands before the climb to Hab Ridge, Spruha noted that it would be a good place to test her rover on a later EVA. We walked the slope up to Hab Ridge to get some pictures of Factory Butte and the large Mancos Shale exposure to the west. Hunter took some samples of a bleached paleosol that had peculiar red/brown dots throughout the unit along the climb. We then headed east to take a stream measurement of a small flow that was less than 400 m upstream from where we took our first measurement and eventually flows into Candor Chasma. We then walked back to the Hab and loaded our gear into Perseverance and Spirit. Each rover was at 100% battery and had 257.9 hr and 295.8 hr, respectively. We drove the rovers to Zubrin’s Head and parked the rovers where we did for EVA 07. Hunter finished taking paleosol samples from EVA 07. After the samples were done, we walked to the main ephemeral stream east of Zubrin’s Head and took a measurement of a tributary to the north and of the main channel. We then walked back to the rovers and returned to the Hab, noting where we would return for the EVA on Wednesday to Spruha. At the end of the EVA, Perseverance had 88% battery and 258.3 hrs, and Spirit had 88% battery and 296.2 hrs.

Destination: Hab Ridge Road; SE of North Ridge; E of Zubrin’s Head

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 518000E, 4251500N (halfway up Hab Ridge sample); 518690E, 4251605N (stream measurement); 519614E, 4248284N (paleosols); 519687E, 4248746N (stream measurements)

Participants: Ian Pamerleau, Hunter Vannier, Spruha Vashi

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Route 1103; MDRS driveway to Cow Dung Road heading south until Zubrin’s Head

Mode of travel: Walk to Hab Ridge Road and back; rovers (Perseverance & Spirit) to Zubrin’s Head, walk to samples and stream

Crew 305 EVA Report 17-12-2024

EVA # 09

Author: Ian Pamerleau

Purpose of EVA: Test rover parts and get a few stream measurements.

Start time: 13:35 hr

End time: 15:00 hr

Narrative: Unfortunately, Hermes is still under construction. However, Spruha cleverly found a way to conduct some tests about how the rover will likely operate when it is functional. Ian led the EVA accompanied by Spruha and Rashi. We walked up Route 1103 to the region north of the Hab. Spruha and Rashi took measurements of Herme’s wheel tracks as it crossed over different terrain like sand and desert pavement. As they did this, Ian was taking some stream measurements of flows that came down from Hab Ridge and eventually led to Kissing Camel Ridge. After some measurements and observations were taken, we headed north at a quick pace because with our limited time, we wanted to find a disposable camera that was left behind accidentally on EVA 08. As we searched for the camera, “aliens” ironically took pictures of us with their own cameras. We ran out of time before finding the camera as the region had many valleys it could have been hiding in, if it is even at that location as we think. We hustled back to the Hab and entered the RAM for depressurization.

Destination: North of Hab, a little SE of North Ridge

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 518250E, 4251500N (Hermes wheel testing); 518690E, 4251605N (looking for lost camera)

Participants: Ian Pamerleau, Rashi Jain, Spruha Vashi

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Route 1103

Mode of travel: Walking

Crew 305 EVA Report 18-12-2024

EVA # 10

Author: Ian Pamerleau

Purpose of EVA: Stream measurements, samples, rover observations, and media day.

Start time: 12:45 hr

End time: 15:00 hr

Narrative: Ian led the EVA with the accompaniment of Hunter, Spurha, and the media team. We took a bit more time than usual to get to our location south of Kissing Camel Ridge (KCR) for some great shots of Dhruv in the rover by the film crew. We departed from the Hab at about 12:55 hr with Perseverance, Spirit, and Opportunity at 296.2 hr, 258.3 hr, 197.8 hr (respectively), and 100% battery for all. We made our way south through the gap of KCR and stopped the rovers where the main stream cut through the road perpendicularly, a little east of Robert’s Rock Garden. We then disembarked the rovers and headed west towards the Rock Garden. Spruha and Ian began taking stream width measurements while Hunter took riverbed sand samples to see if they would match paleosol on cut banks upstream. As we conducted our field work, Dhruv asked us questions about why we were taking samples/measurements, where we were, and what we expected to find from our work, which we happily answered. After we took some samples and measurements west of the stream, we headed along it and got some measurements of tributaries to the northeast, this time with help from Dhruv. We then headed back to the rovers and drove them back through KCR. Dhruv’s film team got a good shot of him and Ian coming through the gap on Perseverance. Because we had enough time, we stopped a little north of the ridge to get a few more samples and measurements and stumbled upon someone’s used campfire circle. After we conducted all the field work we needed, we headed back to the Hab. At the end of the EVA, Perseverance was at 296.8 hr and 93% battery, Spirit was at 258.6 hr and 90% battery, and Opportunity was at 198.3 hr and 87% battery.

Destination: Robert’s Rock Garden & North of Kissing Camel Ridge

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): As far west as 518189E, 4248992N; as far east as 518782E, 4249214N. Stopped at 518313E, 4249626N for sampling and measurements on the way back.

Participants: Ian Pamerleau, Spruha Vashi, Hunter Vannier, Dhruv Khullar & Film Crew

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: MDRS driveway, Cow Dung Road south through Kissing Camel Ridge

Mode of travel: Rover to about 518522E, 4249136N & walking

Crew 305 EVA Report 19-12-2024

EVA # 11

Author: Ian Pamerleau

Purpose of EVA: Stream measurements, samples, and observations on rover improvements.

Start time: 10:00 hr

End time: 13:24 hr

Narrative: Ian led the rest of the Spool Kids (Rashi and Spruha) on the EVA today. We took Opportunity and Spirit out to Zubrin’s Head and White Rock Canyon. At the start of the EVA, the rovers had 198.3 hr and 258.6 hr, respectively and 100% battery each. We headed south through Kissing Camel Ridge and past Zubrin’s Head. We then got out of the rovers and took some observations on Herme’s tire performance in different terrains of the main ephemeral stream that flows nearby (note it was only with a single tire; Hermes is still not operational). As Spruha and Rashi took those observations, Ian took fine-grain sand samples within the stream for Hunter. We then headed SE along the main channel until we came to a large tributary that flows from the NE. The team climbed the shallow slope a good way up taking a few width measurements along the way. Whenever we took a measurement, Spruha wanted to time how long it took Ian to take one by himself (with a rock holding one end of the tape) vs how long it took with Rashi helping. This was done to better understand how a rover could help astronauts in the field. For meaningful, robust time comparisons, we had to spool up the measuring tape in between Ian taking a measurement by himself and doing it with Rashi’s help (hence the name Spool Kids). After a few measurements, we headed back to the rovers and drove them south to White Rock Canyon. We took some more timed measurements here as well as another fine-grained sand sample for Hunter. We did not have time to head to Barrainca Butte, so we returned to the Hab after collecting data at White Rock Canyon. At the end of the EVA, Opportunity had 198.8 hr and 58% battery; Spirit had 259.1 hr and 66% battery.

Destination: East of Zubrin’s Head; White Rock Canyon

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 520459E, 4248598N; 520329E, 4247523N

Participants: Ian Pamerleau, Rashi Jain, Spruha Vashi

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: MDRS driveway, Cow Dung Road south a little past Zubrin’s Head for stop 1. Stop 2 was even further south near White Rock Canyon. Head back north the same way we came down.

Mode of travel: Rovers & walking

Crew 305 EVA Report 20-12-2024

EVA # 12

Author: Ian Pamerleau

Purpose of EVA: Sand Sample and stream width measurements around Compass Rock.

Start time: 10:00 hr

End time: 11:40 hr

Narrative: Ian led the EVA accompanied by Monish and Hunter. Perseverance and Spirit started the EVA with 296.8 hr and 259.1 hr, respectively and each with 100% battery. We took the rovers north to Galileo Road and out to Compass Rock, where we dismounted. We noticed a lot of pieces of petrified wood on the ground on our way to the streams on the eastern side of the monument. We wanted to find two small streams that met and ran south towards the larger flow into Candor Chasma. Both streams were easy to find, and we were able to safely get into the small canyon they cut out of the landscape. There were many tracks from fauna in the area, and Hunter caught a bunny running into a tight overhang as we approached part of one of the streams. As we moved south down the larger flow, Hunter was able to find a large patch of cryptobiotic soil next to the stream. We took a measurement not far from this location as well as a sand sample for later analysis. After three width measurements and a sample collection, we headed back to the rovers. We considered trying to stop and find the lost camera from EVA 08, but we did not have time and headed straight back to the Hab. At the end of the EVA, Perseverance was at 297.1 hr and 68%, and Spirit was at 259.5 hr and 74%.

Destination: Compass Rock

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 520250E, 4251800N

Participants: Ian Pamerleau, Monish Lokhande, Hunter Vannier

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: MDRS driveway, Cow Dung Road North to Galileo Road until Compass Rock.

Mode of travel: Rovers (Perseverance and Spirit)

Crew 305 EVA Report 13-12-2024

EVA # 05

Author: Ian Pamerleau

Purpose of EVA: Ephemeral stream measurements in Eos Chasma

Start time: 10:05 hr

End time: 13:35 hr

Narrative: Ian led the EVA with Rashi and Monish. Spirit and Opportunity began the day with 257.2 and 197.0 hrs, respectively and 100% battery each. We took Cow Dung Road north until we arrived at a pull off near a tributary that flows into the main Eos channel. At first, we were unsure of our location as the GPS coordinates were not where I expected the entrance to the canyon to be, but we were able to contact the Hab, and Hunter was able to explain that we were at a smaller tributary south of the main channel thanks to our GPS trackers. Because of the support from the Hab, we were able to proceed.

The lithology of Eos Chasma allowed for the streams to create knickpoints (waterfalls) throughout the region. We were able to find a safe slope into the tributary at first, but quickly hit another knickpoint. We doubled back and found a way safely around the dead waterfall and continued along the tributary, getting some measurements along the way. There were some interesting cross bedding units that were exposed along this path; joints had split the rock and allowed another sandstone to lithify within the cracks. We also saw evidence of groundwater sapping along the tributary. Eventually, the stream met up with the main channel. We took some measurements at the junction and continued down the main Eos Chasma. However, we ran into another knickpoint. For this one, we didn’t have time to safely get down and back up, so we turned around and headed to the rovers. There was a slight comms issue with Rashi’s radio, but once she switched from channel 2 to 1, she came through clearly. We took some GoPro footage of our return trip to the Hab on the rovers for later social media use, and at the end of the day, Spirit had 257.9 hrs with 66% battery, and Opportunity had 197.3 hr with 68% battery.

Destination: Eos Chasma

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 518750E, 4252750N (rover stop) and 518691E, 4252792N on foot.

Participants: Ian Pamerleau, Monish Lokhande, Rashi Jain

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: MDRS driveway, Cow Dung Road north to a pull off near the stream.

Mode of travel: Rover & walking

Crew 305 EVA Report 14-12-2024

EVA # 06

Author: Ian Pamerleau

Purpose of EVA: Take measurements along the main channel running into Eos Chasma (a.k.a. Tank Wash) both west and east of Cow Dung Road.

Start time: 10:05 hr

End time: 12:50 hr

Narrative: Ian led the EVA accompanied by Monish and Peter. We planned on taking Curiosity and Perseverance to the Tank Wash but were informed by the Hab that Curiosity’s rear wheel was too low to be taken, so the team took Perseverance and Spirit. Both rovers began the day with 100% battery and had 295.4 hr (Perseverance) and 251.5 hr (Spirit). We took the rovers to the intersection of Tank Wash and Cow Dung Road and parked the rovers at the closest safe offshoot to the road. We then walked into the Tank Wash and headed east. We took some measurements along the stream and up some of the tributaries (which helps with Ian’s project). There were some interesting rocks in the tributary to the northeast that at first looked wood-like, but they did end up just being siltstones/fine grain sandstones (which are still interesting!). After we obtained enough measurements to the east of the road, we traveled to the western part of the wash. The tributaries here were much narrower, cutting into the clay-rich, loose soil they were found in. These canyons were so narrow and short that only one person went in to take measurements (though they were still visible by the other EVA team members). The crew’s method of taking normal-sized ephemeral stream measurements has been ironed out to high efficiency now; two people hold the tape measurer and read off the value, then they move down a few feet and take another measurement, then another. All the while, Ian is writing down the width values while taking the GPS locations and noting any other important geologic information. Because of our efficiency (and lack of canyons that took time getting into), the EVA team took all the measurements needed for the day before 13:00 hr and were able to head back early. We arrived at the Hab around 12:50 hr, with Perseverance at 63% battery and 295.8 hrs and Spirit at 62% battery and 257.9 hr.

Destination: Tank Wash (the main ephemeral stream running across Cow Dung Road into Eos Chasma)

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): Eastern most point (518663E, 4253839N) and western most point (517815E, 4253709N).

Participants: Ian Pamerleau, Peter Zoss, Monish Lokhande

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: MDRS driveway, Cow Dung Road to the intersection of Tank Wash.

Mode of travel: Rover to the intersection of Tank Wash and Cow Dung Road. Then walk both east and west along the Tank Wash.

Crew 305 EVA Report 11-12-2024

EVA # 04

Author: Ian Pamerleau

Purpose of EVA: Gather paleosol samples and ephemeral stream width measurements in Candor Chasma.

Start time: 10:00 hr

End time: 13:45 hr

Narrative: Ian led the EVA, accompanied by Hunter and Rashi. When we departed from the Hab, Perseverance and Curiosity were at 294.8 and 290.8 hr respectively, and both had 100% battery. We checked the tire pressure of Curiosity before leaving, and it seemed fine (though for safety, Rashi drove alone in it). We took the rovers to Compass Rock via Galileo Road and down a rover-careful route until we were at a pull off to an ephemeral stream that connects to the main channel into Candor Chasma. We took a measurement where we disembarked and headed back into Candor. We passed the location where we took the measurements on EVA 03 quickly and got further into the canyon to take new measurements. On the way in, Hunter spotted a good outcrop with paleosols for later. We were able to get into the wider part of the canyon with many tributaries running down from the sides into the main channel (which was good for Ian’s measurements). After a few stream widths were taken, we headed back to the outcrop Hunter saw before. Rashi and Ian helped Hunter collect multiple samples of different paleosols there, but we couldn’t safely get a sample from the top strata. Luckily, as we exited Candor and were heading back to the rovers, we saw that same layer again exposed along the channel, so Hunter got the samples he was looking for (one of our daily images). We then returned to the rovers and headed back to the Hab. On the way, we saw a great view of Factory Butte (another one of our images). At the end of EVA, Perseverance had 295.4 hr with 63% battery, and Curiosity was at 291.4 hr with 70% battery remaining.

Destination: Compass Rock & Candor Chasma

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 591800E, 4251450N (Compass Rock) & 521482E, 4250999N (interior of Candor Chasma).

Participants: Ian Pamerleau, Hunter Vannier, Rashi Jain

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: MDRS driveway, Cow Dung Road to Galileo Road, down to the Candor Chasma stream. Walk along the stream into Candor Chasma. Same route going back.

Mode of travel: Rover to Compass rock and a bit south of that, then disembark and walk into Candor Chasma.

Crew 305 EVA Report 09-12-2024

EVA # 1

Author: Ian Pamerleau

Purpose of EVA: EVA training day: become familiar with the conduct on and protocols of an EVA.

Start time: 10:00 hr

End time: 11:00 hr

Narrative: EVA was led by Ian; Hunter and Peter accompanied. We started Perseverance and Curiosity with 100% battery (we forgot to take hour range measurements). We drove the rovers out to Marble Ritual. We then each found a “marble” of our choice and put one in each of the baskets. We walked a little east (~150 m) and then about 500 m south until we found the fossilized dinosaur bone exposed in the region. We looked at some cryptobiotic soil, small outflows (which were too small for my project), and some green alterations to carbon rich, black shale. We then turned around and headed towards the rovers and took them back to the Hab the way we came. At the end of the EVA, Perseverance had 94% battery with 294.8 hr, and Curiosity had 89% battery with 290.8 hr.

Destination: Marble Ritual

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 518800E, 4251000N to 518800E, 4250500N

Participants: Ian Pamerleau, Hunter Vannier, Peter Zoss

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: MDRS driveway, Cow Dung Road to Marble Ritual

Mode of travel: Rover to Marble Ritual and then walk south to dinosaur bone