Category: EVA Report

EVA #: 4

Today’s Date: 29 Nov 2023

Requested EVA Date: 30 Nov 2023

Requested start time for EVA: 12:00 PM

Requested end time for EVA: 03:00 PM

Does the weather report support EVA at this time?: Yes

Purpose of EVA: Reconnaissance. We want to also see if we can reach the Gateway to Lith with the rovers and on foot and come back within 3 hours. We understand there may be fossils around the area and duly acknowledge that they cannot be handled in any way.

Destination: Gateway to Lith

Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84): 518100;4255500

EVA Participants: Tungaa, Muggi, Dono

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Marble Ritual -> Pooh’s Corner -> Cowboy Corner -> Gateway to Lith

Mode of travel: Driving and walking

Vehicles you will be using (If applicable): Curiosity and Perseverance

Sol #5: A Journey of Discovery to Somerville Overlook

EVA Crew Lead: Journalist Sunny
Team Members: HSE Officer Duluu, Geologist Davaa, Engineer Muggi
CapCom: Tunga
Objective: Our mission was to reach and explore Compass Rock, utilizing drone technology for remote reconnaissance and surveying areas inaccessible by foot or rover.

Weather Conditions: The weather was favorable, with cloudy skies and temperatures ranging from 0 to 5 degrees Celsius, conducive to outdoor exploration activities.

Activities and Observations:

The EVA began at 10:15 a.m., with our team navigating the terrain in the Spirit and Opportunity rovers.
We successfully reached Somerville Overlook, which presented a landscape strikingly similar to the Martian surface.
Our drone operations were a highlight, capturing stunning images and providing valuable insights into areas beyond our physical reach.
During the EVA, we observed a faster-than-expected depletion of the rovers’ batteries. This led to a strategic pause at approximately halfway, with the rovers at about 55% battery capacity.
Upon returning to base at 12:45 p.m., we noted the rovers still had 30% battery left, an intriguing finding that may influence future planning.
Challenges and Solutions:

Battery Concerns: The unexpected battery drain posed a potential risk to our mission, but careful management and monitoring allowed for a safe return with sufficient power reserves.
Communication Disruption: We experienced a loss of connection with CapCom Tungaa over a long distance. This was promptly reported to Mission Support, who advised patience until the connection was restored, which occurred upon our return.
Conclusion and Next Steps: Today’s EVA to Compass Rock was a blend of successful exploration and technological testing, tempered by the challenges of battery management and communication issues. These experiences provide valuable lessons for future missions, particularly in the areas of resource conservation and communication strategies. Encouraged by today’s accomplishments and equipped with new insights, we are optimistic about extending our exploratory capabilities in the upcoming EVAs.

EVA #1

Author: Enkhtuvshin “Dono” Doyodkhuu

Purpose of EVA: Test

Start time: 10:00AM

End time: 11:00AM

Narrative: Crew commander Dono led the EVA team. Accompanying him was Tungaa and Muggi. CAPCOMM was led by Davaa. We went to Marble Ritual with Spirit and Opportunity and explored the surrounding area on foot for about 20 minutes. All went smoothly.

Destination: Marble Ritual

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 518700;4251000

Participants: Dono, Tungaa, Muggi

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Marble Ritual

Mode of travel: Driving. Spirit and Opportunity were used.

EVA #2

Author: Enkhtuvshin “Dono” Doyodkhuu

Purpose of EVA: Test

Start time: 03:15 PM

End time: 03:50 PM

Narrative: Crew geologist Davaa was the EVA leader. Accompanying him was Sunny and Duluu. CAPCOMM was led by Dono. All went smoothly.

Destination: Marble Ritual

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 518700;4251000

Participants: Davaa, Sunnny, Duluu

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Marble Ritual

Mode of travel: Driving. Curiosity and Perseverance were used.

EVA #3

Author: Enkhtuvshin “Dono” Doyodkhuu

Purpose of EVA: Reconnaissance

Start time: 10:20AM

End time: 11:35AM

Narrative: We discussed amongst ourselves and decided to cancel the EVA to Robert’s Rock Garden and switched participants. Muggi was the EVA leader this time, with Davaa and Dono as the designated drivers. We were initially planning to reach Cowboy Corner, but we had more than 70% on both Spirit and Opportunity, so we tried going as far as we could until we hit 55%. The road was very smooth until we reached a decline, and the rovers were at 60%. CAPCOMM was directed by HSO Duluu this time, and she advised us to park the rovers and explore on foot. We took pictures and videos of the surrounding area and headed back to the HAB. At the end, both rovers were at 48%, so we are confident we can explore much farther next time.

Destination: Cowboy Corner

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): 518300;4249250

Participants: Muggi, Davaa, Dono

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Marble Ritual -> Pooh’s Corner -> Cowboy Corner -> Bit farther along the road.

Mode of travel: Spirit and Opportunity.

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 286 EVA #7 report 20-NOV-2023

EVA # 7

Author: Roger Gilbertson

Purpose of EVA: To perform a 6-person EVA, simulating an evacuation or a group migration to a new lander that has arrived nearby. For this simulation Donald Jacques will remain in the Habitat to serve as CapCom.

Start time for EVA: 7:45 am

End time for EVA: 9:45 am

Narrative: After several EVA proposals for larger groups, and dealing with weather and comms challenges, we settled on the logistics for performing a 6-person EVA.

Mission Support gave us a favorable ground condition report, and we "go” for EVA. We suited up in the habitat, walked through the tunnels to the RAM, carrying our helmets in their cases. Once there, we finished our preparations, closed the RAM door, performed a five-minute depressurization, and rolled up the door to a glorious martian morning.

The six of us carried a substantial amount of advanced music, photo, video and audio equipment, and made our way to the hills just north of the Observatory, where Maestro Groucho setup and performed another music set, this time in the open air, with all spectators in suits. The event was recorded in a variety of media: video, 360 video, LiDAR scans, and digital audio. As the end time of our EVA approached we returned to the RAM airlock and reentered.

Destination: North side of Observatory Dome

EVA Participants:
• Scott Beibin
• Liz Cole
• Hugo Saugier
• Guillaume Gégo
• Roger Gilbertson
• Caleb Stein

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: none
Mode of travel: walking

Vehicles you will be using: none

Crew 286 EVA #8 report 21-NOV-2023

EVA # 8

Author: Roger Gilbertson

Purpose of EVA: To collect samples from three locations, which will be returned to the University of Mons in Belgium, for use in a substrate comparison experiment for plant growth. This is to support work begun by MDRS 261 mission crew member Cécile Renauld. Documentation of the experience was performed by Hugo using professional video and sound recording.

Destination and Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84):

Sample 1: Sandy White Soil (518448.606, 4249652)

Sample 2: Volcanic Soil (518542, 4249696)

Sample 3: Old River Soil, plants close by (518395.702, 4249684)Start time for EVA: 2:50 pm

Start time for EVA: 10:00 am

End time for EVA: 12:30 pm

Narrative: We prepared efficiently and exited the airlock at the planned time, driving out of the campus and south on Cow Dung Road. Gee used the iPhone GPS and directed us to stop on the road near the coordinates provided by the previous researchers. We trekked eastward, and located each sampling position with relative ease. The locations where the first two samples were previously collected appeared clearly on the ground, having only received minor erosion and filling in since their April sampling. The third sample, been in a stream bed, were not apparent, but we took samples at the indicated coordinates. At each location we collected and labeled samples, and photographed each before and after digging.

We returned to the vehicles with an hour remaining, and asked for a time extension so that filmmaker Hugo could continue to film content for his documentary, including shots taken by him standing at the roadside and filming as we drove past in the rovers. We continued northwards until we filmed rovers entering the campus, and astronauts entering the airlock. In all, we experienced a perfect day, with wonderful views and vistas.

Destination and Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84):
Sample 1: Sandy White Soil (518448.606, 4249652)
Sample 2: Volcanic Soil (518542, 4249696)
Sample 3: Old River Soil, plants close by (518395.702, 4249684)

EVA Participants:
• Roger Gilbertson
• Guillaume Gégo
• Hugo Saugier

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: South via Cow Dung Road south to coordinates indicated above.

Mode of travel: Driving and walking

Vehicles used: Spirit, Opportunity

Crew 286 EVA #6 report 18-NOV-2023

EVA # 6

Author: Roger Gilbertson

Purpose of EVA: To perform LIDAR scanning in the vicinity of the Habitat, west of Cow Dung Road, looking at possible locations for a Martian music performance at a later time. Also, the visiting photographers will take images of the LIDAR walkers, as well as photos of some “personal mementos” placed on the martian surface in the vicinity of the Observatory dome.

Start time for EVA: 2:50 pm

End time for EVA: 3:06 pm

Narrative: Preparations for EVA included a significant amount of equipment to be carried by all participants, so the walk began 20 minutes late at 2:50 PM. However, as they opened the exterior airlock door and began their egress, drops of rain were noticed. The rate increased a few moments later, and they returned to the airlock for the safety of their camera and electronic equipment. We watched the terrain grow increasingly wet, and Mission Support stated that weather radar showed rain likely to continue for the duration of the EVA. After a few more minutes the crew agreed to abort. We repressurized and the inner door opened about 3:06 PM.

In retrospect, it was good that the airlock egress time was delayed, otherwise the crew would have been much further from the habitat when the rain started, making their return much more difficult and treacherous.
Destination: Habitat campus only

EVA Participants:
• Scott Beibin
• Hugo Saugier
• Andrea Orejarena
• Caleb Stein

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: none

Mode of travel: none

Vehicles used: none

Crew 286 EVA #4 report 16-NOV-2023
EVA # 4
Author: Roger Gilbertson
Purpose of EVA:
1) Engineering to wash exterior habitat windows. A special extra-long squeegee was prepared from available components, and loaded into the airlock in two parts. A bottle of special Mars window washing fluid was also prepared. Upon exiting, the crew assembled the pole.
2) We collected local soil samples in the vicinity of the habitat for use in 3D printer tests, and documented the collection areas using LIDAR imaging to create 3D models of the areas before and after sample removal.
3) A founding member of the Belgian Mars Society, Étienne Lefebvre, passed away recently. A photo of Étienne was taken out to the surface on a small stand, recorded for his family and colleagues, and a minute of silence was observed by the crew.

Start time for EVA: 2:01 pm
End time for EVA: 4:00 pm
Narrative: With eight people currently in the habitat, we were able to include Hugo, our filmmaker, on to the EVA crew, allowing for our first 4-person excursion. Preparations went smoothly and the four astronauts exited the airlock at the appointed time. All four astronauts and their equipment fit into the airlock, and they exited the airlock on time.
Phase 1 of the EVA involved the full team to wash the exteriors of the windows on habitat and science dome.
The first test wash was performed on the exterior of the airlock window. The squeegee’s sponge side was moistened from the fluid bottle, then raised up and moved over the window surface. Then the wiper blade side was used to remove the fluid. A cloth was used to wipe the edges. Then the smaller habitat windows on the lower floor were cleaned. In future, a smaller width squeegee would be helpful for these.

The upper floor windows proved more challenging. The highest ones were out of reach, even with the long pole. The round window above the airlock could be reached from the porch. As expected, the spacesuits made moving the squeegee over the high window difficult. One astronaut moved it, while the other observed from a bit further away, and provided feedback and directions. Our improved radio communications skills helped. In the end, the triple-pane windows contain a lot of dust on the inner surfaces, which is inaccessible, so they are less than 100 percent clean.

The squeegee team moved their attention to the science dome windows. Being at eye level allowed full and proper cleaning. The science dome windows now have excellent clarity.

We then proceeded to Phase 2. Lizzy and Groucho began LIDAR scanning and soil sampling in the habitat yard, and then along the stream bed to the east of the science dome. Gee and Hugo walked to the north of the observatory dome and conducted a memorial service for founding member of the Belgian Mars Society, Étienne Lefebvre, who passed away recently.

Destination: Habitat campus only

EVA Participants:

• Liz Cole
• Guillaume Gégo
• Scott Beibin
• Hugo Saugier

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: none
Mode of travel: walking
Vehicles you will be using: none