Category: EVA Report

Crew 238 EVA Report 10Jan2022

EVA #10

Author: HSO Robert T. Turner

Purpose of EVA: To collect geologic, bacterial and radiation samples.

Start time:12.20
End time: 14.40

Narrative: The MDRS Crew 238 Sol 8 extra-vehicular activity (EVA) went to the region designated Moon Overlook using the Brahe Highway 1575. The surface EVA participants were: Artist Agnieszka Pokrywka, Engineer Simon Werner, and Health / Safety Officer Robert T. Turner.
These utilized rovers Curiosity and Opportunity to transition to
this geological site. EVA objectives were: geological sampling,
survey, and possible radiation measurements; and, a second object was obtaining stream bed samples for possible bacteriological culturing.

This EVA team was designated EVA Team One. Travel to the previously mapped site was completed without incident. Once the two rovers were stationary, exploration was initiated on foot.

This region possessed an appearance quite like luna with gray,
finely-powdered soil, starkly contrasting with an absence of surface stones as had been noted in other EVA sites. This site featured an enormous crater-like structural depression overlaid with a second impact marking. Small stony ejecta was noted in the vicinity of the upper crater rim that was being explored. Several possible evacuation dry stream beds were noted.

Steep gray angular walls descended to smaller chasma-like structures. Samples initially thought to be shock quartz were first noted on this exploration with samples obtained for further study. Extensive surface photography was completed with a more Mars-like demarcation noted on the panoramic views of the vista horizon, including a presumed possible volcanic butte.

Crew member Agnieszka Pokrywka obtained stream bed soil samples for biological investigation. This site had fewer examples of lichen-like lifeforms as noted in the photographic sampling.

Crew members Agnieszka Pokrywka and Simon Werner conducted a walking descent of the crater rim wall into the depth of the crater-like structure, noted changes in the presentation of presumed multiple drainage ravines. Additional surface rock samples were obtained at the descent site, along with supplemental photography. Following completion of an ascent out of this area, all crew members returned to the twin rovers and completed a successful return to the Hab. This ended the planned EVA for MDRS Crew 238, Sol 8, EVA Team One.

Destination: Area D

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): W4254400 by N516000

Participants: Turner, Pokrywka, Werner

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: MoonWalk Road up to Cow Dung Road, north to Braher Highway 1572, then west to Braher Highway to 1575

Mode of travel: Curiosity and Opportunity

EVA # 7

Author: P.J. Marcellino

Purpose of EVA: Drawing of a labyrinth in the dirt in front of the
hab, under guidance from Master Gardener, Psychotherapist, and
certified Labyrinth Society member GHO Sandor.

Start time: 12:30:00 PM MST

End time: 01: 45:00 PM MST

Narrative: GHO Sandor conducted a mid-mission mindfulness
and wellness activity with the entire crew, starting with an attempted
drawing of a labyrinth with two crew members. Initially planned for close
to the Galileo Road intersection, we were informed by the Director that no
markings could be added to the landscape in BLM land. The Director
suggested the terrain in front of the Hab, but this turned out to be extremely
hard ground, and the drawing of the labyrinth was unsuccessful.

Destination: In front of the MDRS front airlock

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 4250500 by 518250

Participants: GHO Sandor (lead), HSO Turner, ART Pokrywka

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: None

Mode of travel: By foot

EVA #: 06

Author: P.J. Marcellino

Purpose of EVA: Pokrywka quickly sampled sound from micro-organism activity using an underground contact microphone, and survey/scouted the site for Mars-like characteristics, for filming purposes.

Start time: 15:30:00 MST

End time: 16:00:00 MST

Narrative: EVA started one hour later than expected but was sufficient to scout the location as per the original intention.

Destination: Kissing Camels Ridge (Centre)

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): between 518000 and 519000 by 4249000 and 4250000 UTM NAD27

Participants: ART Pokrywka (lead), HSO Turner

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

Mode of travel: Opportunity

Crew 238 EVA Report 06Jan2022

EVA #3

Author: Sionade Robinson

Purpose of EVA: Geographical sampling and ground vibration data
collection using an underground microphone.

Start time:12.47

End time: 15.30

Narrative: We completed our mission to collect geological samples from
the Special Region Rock samples and landscape features were
photographed, small rock samples collected and identified subsequently
at the Hab. Non vertebrate fossil identified. Vibration data to be
analysed.

Destination: Special Region

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 518250 by 4656000 UTM NAD27

Participants: Engineer Werner, Commander Robinson, Artist Pokrywka

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Moon Walk Rd. to Cow Dung Rd.,
bearing North on Cow Dung past Gateway to Lith Rd. and entering
Special Region within Area C. Walking into Area C and toward Area B.

Mode of travel: Opportunity and Curiosity Rovers, by foot.

EVA #2

Author: Sionade Robinson

Purpose of EVA: Rehearsal and recognisance of Marble Ritual site and environs..

Start time:14.00

End time: 14.50

Narrative: On recommendation of Mission Support, our three crew
undertook a rehearsal EVA to the destination specified, using suits,
rovers, maps, coordinates and radios. Various rock samples and
landscape features were photographed, small rock samples collected and
identified subsequently at the Hab.

Destination: Marble Ritual

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 38.41N by 110.79W

Participants: HSO Turner, Engineer Werner, Commander Robinson.

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road to Pooh’s Corner where
rovers were parked and then party proceeded by foot.

Mode of travel: Opportunity and Spirit Rovers, by foot.

[end]

Crew 238 EVA Report 04-01-2022

EVA # 1

Author: Pedro José-Marcellino

Purpose of EVA: Training EVA

Start time: 11:16 AM

End time: 12:26 AM

Narrative: Short training EVA to Marble Ritual, as pre-determined by Mission Support. Based on tasks organized for the day, Team 1 was led by XO Marcellino. The destination appeared to be a short distance away and was found fast. We were told to look for a man-made structure, and thus kept an eye out for a marble structure. But having identified the correct location, we quickly realized there was no such thing. Instead, seeing three sticks with bowls from afar, we discussed the possibility of some sort of ancient Martian ceremony passing glass marbles from a container to the another. Yet, upon closer inspection we realized the bowls were in fact cake pans coloured after the Mars Trilogy books – hinting at a marble cake. Good one, Mission Support.

Destination: Marble Ritual

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 38.41 N by 110.79 W

Participants: XO Marcellino, GHO Sandor, ART Pokrywka

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: MDRS access to Cow Dung Road, headed N-NE toward Pooh’s Corner where we parked. Proceeded on foot 200 m due E.

Mode of travel: Rover Spirit (lead) and Rover Opportunity

[end]

Crew 236 EVA Report 30-DEC-2021

EVA # 11

Author: Vladimir Zeltsman

Purpose of EVA: Evaluation of soil and ground conditions for additional potential habitat locations and a geology survey of the Summerville formation/layers

Start time: 9:00 am

End time: 13:30 pm

Narrative: The EVA was originally requested for near and east of the summer view overlook, but changed to Candor Chasma. The coordinates are originally N4253000 W522800 but rescheduled for N4251000 W521000. The crew entered the airlock at 9:15 and headed towards Candor Chasma shortly after. Once both rovers were parked on Galileo, the crew headed east toward the destination. After hiking down into Candor Chasma, 1 location was measured to see if it was large enough for a habitat. The one location was open and had acceptable ground and soil conditions but significant terraforming would be required to make a road and clear the land of all fauna. This leads Vladimir (GHO) to believe that further east into Candor Chasma, there could be locations large and solid enough for a potential habitat location. At 11:15, the crew turned around and headed back to the rovers due to two suit failures. The crew arrived back at the Hab at 12:26. The EVA, although not producing the desired results, is still considered a success, since multiple sites were evaluated.

Destination: Candor Chasma/Region G

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): N4251000, W521000

Participants: Cesare (XO), Vladimir (GHO), Tyler (SCI), and Ben (JOU)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: From the Hab, driving north on Cow Dung Rd to Galileo Rd and Galileo Rd to near area F; walking from area F east to Candor Chasma

Mode of travel: Driving and walking

Crew 236 EVA Report 28-DEC-2021

EVA # 9

Author: Kasey Hilton

Purpose of EVA: Evaluation of soil and ground conditions for additional potential habitat locations

Start time: 10:30

End time: 14:00

Narrative: The crew entered the airlock at 10:35 and headed towards Candor Chasma shortly after. Once both rovers were parked on Galileo, the crew headed east toward the destination. After hiking down into Candor Chasma, 2 locations were measured to see if they were large enough for a habitat, but neither were, however the ground and soil conditions were acceptable. This leads Vladimir (GHO) to believe that further east into Candor Chasma, there could be locations large and solid enough for a potential habitat location. At 12:15, the crew turned around and headed back to the rovers. The crew arrived back at the Hab at 12:54. The EVA, although not producing the desired results, is still considered a success, since multiple sites were evaluated.

Destination: Candor Chasma/Region G

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): N4251000, W521000

Participants: Kasey (CMD), Vladimir (GHO), and Ben (JOU)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: From the Hab, driving north on Cow Dung Rd to Galileo Rd and Galileo Rd to near area F; walking from area F east to Candor Chasma

Mode of travel: Driving and walking

EVA #1

Author: Cesare Guariniello

Start time: 11.38 AM

End time: 12.37 PM

Narrative: Team conducted a training EVA for Marble Ritual. Crew members collected and loaded rock samples at the collection baskets on Cow Dung Road. The crew explored the hills around Marble ritual and collected rock samples before heading back to the hab.

Destination: Marble Ritual

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12S 518700 4250800

Participants: XO, ASTRO, GHO, SCI

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

Mode of travel: Spirit and Curiosity

EVA #2

Author: Cesare Guariniello

Start time: 2.04 PM

End time: 3.18 PM

Narrative: Team conducted a training EVA for Marble Ritual. Crew members collected and loaded rock samples at the collection baskets on Cow Dung Road. The crew explored the hills around Marble ritual and collected rock samples before heading back to the hab.

Destination: Marble Ritual

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12S 518700 4250800

Participants: CMD, ENG, JOU

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

Mode of travel: Spirit and Opportunity

Cesare Guariniello

XO/HSO

Crew 236

Crew 236 EVA Report 27-DEC-2021

EVA # 8

Author: Kasey Hilton

Purpose of EVA: Collection of samples from region D and Mancos Shales from Copernicus Hwy for analysis of water content and analog for rocks found in Gale Crater

Start time: 9:00

End time: 13:00

Narrative: EVA prep started around 8:30 and the group going on EVA was in the airlock at 9:02. Shortly after, the two pairs climbed in Spirit and Curiosity and headed towards region D using Cow Dung Rd and Brahe Hwy. About 30 minutes later, the group reached the moon overlook (region D) and parked the rovers to start walking down Copernicus Hwy in search of gypsum and Mancos shale. At the intersection of Brahe Hwy and Copernicus Hwy, the group found multiple samples of gypsum. Further down Copernicus Hwy and closer to the boundary walls, the group found samples of Mancos shales. Cesare (XO) was particularly excited about the mancos shale because he had been trying to find some for the last four years without any luck. The group turned around and walked back along Copernicus Hwy until they reached the rovers. They arrived back at the Hab at 11:46, happy that the research objectives they set out to accomplish had been achieved.

Destination: Region D and the Morrison and Mancos Shale boundary on Copernicus (2 stops)

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): N4254000, W515575

Participants: Kasey (CMD), Cesare (XO), Dylan (ASTRO), Pavi (ENG)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Rd north to Brahe Hwy, Brahe Hwy west to Copernicus Hwy, south on Copernicus Hwy

Mode of travel: Driving to the west side of Region D and walking down Copernicus Hwy