EVA Report – April 13th

Crew 245 EVA Report 13-04-2021

EVA #2

Author: Shravan Hariharan, Crew Engineer

Purpose of EVA: Practice EVA to Pooh’s Corner, Round 2

Start time: 1100

End time: 1200

Narrative: Immediately after the first EVA Crew returned to the Habitat, it was time for the remaining three crew members to embark on their practice EVA! After discussing lessons learned with the initial EVA crew, the Commander, Crew Engineer, and Crew Botanist all suited up and embarked on EVA. The main goal of this Practice EVA was to formalize EVA protocols, including a medical check by the HSO prior to departure, and an order in which Crew Members should get ready for EVA. Upon arrival at Pooh’s Corner, the Crew practiced their Emergency Shelter Identification procedure – the first shelter was named the Dusty Ditch! After identification of the first shelter, both the Commander and Crew Engineer’s communications systems failed – the batteries of the radios were too low. At that point, it was determined that continuing on EVA was too dangerous, so the Crew Botanist communicated with the Hab, and led the crew back to the Habitat using hand signals. The Crew Commander is currently working on standardizing hand signals in case we have future communications failures. We have learned how to test the batteries prior to departing on EVA, so we are thankful that we were able to experience this failure and learn from it!

Destination: Pooh’s Corner

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12 S 0518875, UTM 4251175

Participants: Commander, Crew Engineer, Crew Botanist

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Habitat to Entrance Road, left on Cow Dung Road, destination on right in ~0.5 km

Mode of travel: 1 Rover, 1 ATV


Shravan Hariharan, Crew Engineer
Red Planet People – MDRS Crew 245 "Team Patamars"
To Mars and Beyond – For All!

EVA Report – April 13th

Crew 245 EVA Report 13-04-2021

EVA #1

Author: Shravan Hariharan, Crew Engineer

Purpose of EVA: Practice EVA to Pooh’s Corner,

Start time: 0900

End time: 1030

Narrative: The three crew members were all extremely excited to participate in their first EVA, and take our first steps on Mars! First words were “We go to Mars together!” from our Executive Officer. The ATV started with a minor amount of choke and the rover worked flawlessly; the ride to Pooh’s Corner was relatively quick. XO observed that riding in the ATV with the two-piece suit could be uncomfortable. The MDRS map was accidentally left in the Habitat, so the remaining Crew Members in the Hab provided verbal navigation. Crew Scientist brought the crew to a location for soil sampling, and the three EVA members took photos and videos of each other to document the occasion. Three samples were collected while practicing the techniques and training one another, although the soil was rockier than expected. After taking some additional photos, the EVA crew drove back to the Habitat. Brief issues such as the Rover being left in “Forward” were quickly resolved, and the Crew returned to the Habitat. We are grateful to the Director for suggesting this practice EVA, as we were able to successfully practice our EVA protocols and operations, such as donning and doffing the suits, collecting supplies, and communicating as a team.

Destination: Pooh’s Corner

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12 S 0518875, UTM 4251175

Participants: Executive Officer, Crew Scientist, Health and Safety Officer

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Habitat to Entrance Road, left on Cow Dung Road, destination on right in ~0.5 km

Mode of travel: 1 Rover, 1 ATV

EVA Report – March 13th

Crew 223 EVA Report 13-03-2020

EVA # 12

Author: Clément Plagne (Journalist)

Purpose of EVA: Dismantling experiments LOAC and MegaARES

Start time: 15:05

End time: 15:43

Narrative: The experiments were dismantled quickly and efficiently in spite of the heavy winds and wet ground.

Destination: LOAC and MegaARES area, off Entrance Road

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12S 4250800 518500

Participants: Clément Plagne (Journalist, EVA Leader), Aurélien Mure (Commander), Luc Fortin (Engineer), Valentin Bellemin-Laponnaz (GreenHab Officer)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Entrance Road, Cow Dung Road

Mode of travel: Rovers : Spirit, Perseverance

EVA Report – March 12th

Crew 223 EVA Report 12-03-2020

EVA # 11

Author: Blandine Gorce (XO)

Purpose of EVA: Change batteries of LOAC and MegaAres, and then explore a martian like area

Start time: 8:58 AM

End time: 11:25 AM

Narrative: We went out in the morning at 9:03 am after the depressurization. Florian couldn’t start the ATVs 1 so we took two ATVs and Perseverance.

We changed the batteries of LOAC and Mega Ares and left for exploration at 9:30 AM. Then we left the rovers and we were really happy to see a beautiful landscape for the last time on Mars for us so we took the most of this EVA.

We came back to the HAb around 11 :19

Destination: The plane place in front of the Hab and factory butte view

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12S 4250800 518500 and 12S 517850 4255150

Participants: Team red: Blandine Gorce (HSO, EVA leader), Florian Delpech (Astronomer), Luc Fortin (Engineer), Maarion Lebrun (Crew scientist)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road

Mode of travel: Rovers : Perseverance, ATVs 3,2

EVA Report – March 11th

Crew 223 EVA Report 11-03-2020

EVA # 11

Author: Blandine Gorce (XO)

Purpose of EVA: Change batteries of LOAC and MegaAres, and then first exploration for the crew 223

Start time: 13:53 AM

End time: 14:52 AM

Narrative: Today it was raining so we decided to cancel the EVA we had plan. But we still needed to change the batteries of LOAC and Mega Ares.

The rain stopped at noon so we went out after that.Then we came back after changing the batteries and download the

Destination: The plane place in front of the Hab

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12S 4250800 518500

Participants: Team red: Blandine Gorce (HSO, EVA leader), Florian Delpech (Astronomer)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Entrance Road, Cow Dung Road

Mode of travel: Rovers : Perseverance

Provenance : Courrier pour Windows 10

EVA Report – March 10th

Crew 223 EVA Report 10-03-2020

EVA # 9

Author: Valentin Bellemin Laponnaz (GreenHab Officer)

Purpose of EVA: Changing the batteries for MegaARES and LOAC. Exploring Candor Chasma.

Start time: 08:59 AM

End time: 11:25 PM

Narrative: The purpose of this EVA was to change batteries from MegAres and LOAC and to explore Candor Chasma. We used the ATVs 1 and 3 and the rover Perseverance. Nothing to report during the change of the batteries. The exploration was awesome, a bit tired. We walked for approx 8km, up and down the Canyon. According to the footsteps, we went further than last crew so we’re proud of it. Everyone went safe and sound.

Destination: MegaARES and LOAC base and Candor Chasma

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12S0518494-4250679 and 12S0519800-4252000.

EVA Participants: Valentin Bellemin-Laponnaz (GreenHab Officer, EVA Leader), Aurelien Mure (Commander), Marion Lebrun (Crew Scientist), Clement Plagne (Journalist)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road

Mode of travel: Driving (2 ATVs and 1 rover) and walking

Vehicles used (If applicable): ATVs 1, 3 and Perseverance

EVA Report – March 9th

Crew 223 EVA Report 09-03-2020

EVA # 8

Author: Florian Delpech (Astronomer)

Purpose of EVA: Changing the batteries for MegaARES and LOAC. Exploring Copernicus Hwy

Start time: 08:52 AM

End time: 12:00 PM

Narrative: This EVA was aimed to change the batteries of LOAC and MegaARES and to explore Copernicus. We did not manage to start the Honda and the ATV 1 so we took Perseverance and two ATVs. We lost time because we went the wrong way two times but we finally arrived at our destination. The places were very beautiful to explore and everyone came back safe.

Destination: MegaARES and LOAC base as well as Copernicus Hwy 1574

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12S0518494-4250679 and 12S0516200-4255000.

EVA Participants: Florian Delpech (EVA Leader, Astronomer), Blandine Gorce

(Health and Safety Officer), Luc Fortin (Engineer), Valentin Bellemin-Laponnaz (GreenHab Officer)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road, Brahe Hwy 1575, Copernicus Hwy 1574

Mode of travel: Driving (2 ATVs and 1 rover) and walking

Vehicles used (If applicable): ATVs 1, 2 and Perseverance

EVA Report – March 8th

Crew 223 EVA Report 08-Mar-2020

EVA # 7

Author: Florian Delpech (Astronomer)

Purpose of EVA: Change the batteries for MegaARES and LOAC.

Start time: 11:20 AM
End time: 12:08 PM

Narrative: This EVA was just aimed to change the batteries of LOAC and MegaARES. We also applied the protocol for non-verbal communication that worked another time without issue.

Destination: LOAC and MegaARES base

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12S 518500 4250800

EVA Participants: Florian Delpech (EVA Leader, Astronomer), Valentin Bellemin-Laponnaz (GreenHab Officer)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road

Mode of Travel: Driving

Vehicles used (If applicable): Rovers Perseverance and Curiosity

EVA Report – March 7th

Crew 223 EVA Report 07-03-2020
EVA # 6
Author: Luc Fortin (Engineer)
Purpose of EVA: Change the batteries for MegaARES and LOAC. Install the
solar oven. Test a protocol for a soundless EVA.
Start time: 09:09 AM
End time: 11:20 AM
Narrative: This EVA was very special for us as it was a soundless one.
So I made an extensive briefing before entering in the airlock to make
sure everybody (including the Habcom of course) had the protocol
(detailed in the EVA request) in mind.
The five minutes (09:09 – 09:14 AM) of depressurization were the
opportunity for each of us to think about their upcoming actions and
tasks. We walked out of the airlock, Aurélien installed the solar oven,
while Clément and Marion checked the 3 rovers, and I checked the level
of water in the static tank. Then Marion, as communicator, was in charge
to communicate through the window all our data to Valentin, the Habcom.
She did it successfully.
Then we drove to the LOAC and MegaARES with one passing between rovers 1
and 2 that went smooth. In 5min, we change the batteries of the 2
instruments, still without a word ! We leaved the place at 09:33 AM and
arrived at Reservoir Dam 11min later. The protocol for the rover ride
was very efficient and safe for both teams.
We walked to the Reservoir which was almost empty. Then we decided to
walk East in the canyon. Landscapes were really amazing. Was also the
opportunity for us to test our communication protocol, especially the 1
to 5 scale, used to know how each EVA team member feels. It was
efficient, but we found that it can be improved. Because two members
answered 3 out of 5 for the fatigue but during the debriefing, we
noticed that they had a really different interpretation of that number
(one was about to ask to go back home, while the other one was almost
ok). So we need to clarify what does each number correspond to, to make
sure we all have the same reference scale.
We leaved Reservoir Dam at 10:57 AM, and arrived at 11:10 AM in the Hab
zone. As planned, the Habcom was waiting for us, looking through the
window with binoculars. He gave us the approval to park the rovers near
the RAM. Marion once again was in charge of communicating the rovers’
data to the Habcom. We brought back the solar oven and entered in the
airlock at 11:15 AM for the 5 last minutes of silence of the day !
It was an interesting experience for all of us, and it was the
opportunity to demonstrate that this type of protocol is efficient and
usable in case of loss of all our radios during an EVA !
Destination: Reservoir Dam.
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12S 518500 4250800 and 12S 518350 4252800
EVA Participants: Luc Fortin (EVA Leader, Engineer), Aurélien Mure
(Commander), Marion Lebrun (Crew Scientist), Clément Plagne (Journalist)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road
Mode of travel: Driving (and walking when off-road)
Vehicles used (If applicable): Rovers Perseverance and Spirit

EVA Report – March 06th

Crew 223 EVA Report 06-03-2020
EVA #5
Author: Clément Plagne
Purpose of EVA: Change the batteries for MegaARES and LOAC.
Familiarising ourselves with the terrain and the hiking required for
exploration of the environment. Testing the recently repaired suits.
Start Time: 09:07
End Time: 11:04
Narrative:
We left the airlock at 09:12, a bit later than planned. Checks for rover
status and water level went nominally. Valentin was tasked with testing
the Honda ATV, that had failed to start previously – attempt was a
success and Valentin reached first gear to confirm ATV was running.
We reached the LOAC/MegaARES area at 09:20, and battery replacement
tasked went nominally as usual.
We took off for North Ridge and parked the ATVs near Stream Bed
Connector, heading west by foot. We witnessed a helicopter making a
close approach near us and kept going. We hiked through steep terrain,
trying to make our way to the top of the Ridge but stopping due to
safety concerns.
Our hike lasted for a bit less than an hour, going from hilly, red-hued
hills to rockier zones, to gray, nearly Moon-like zones. We decided to
leave earlier instead of attempting a tough looking climb in a rocky area.
We arrived back near the hab at 10:56, and were back in the airlock by
11:04. All suits worked perfectly.
Destination: North Ridge.
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12S 518500 4250800 and 12S 518500 425000
EVA Participants: Clément Plagne (EVA Leader, Journalist), Blandine
Gorce (HSO), Valentin Bellemin-Laponnaz (GreenHab Officer), Florian
Delpech (Astronomer)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road
Mode of travel: Driving (and walking when off-road)
Vehicles you will be using (If applicable): Rovers Deimos/Perseverance
and Curiosity

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