Category: EVA Report

Crew 216 EVA Report 25-Nov-2019
EVA # 02
Author: Whittle
Purpose of EVA: Collect gypsum samples from 1 sites iot produce plaster for research. Alexandrova to film.
Start time: 1400
End time: 1615

Narrative: Tested new comms on route out: much greater range, good comms with Hab to Cowboy Corner/Reservoir Dam. Retrieved gypsum samples from TW site and evaluated for future use/projects. Alexandrova collected lots of footage for documentary work. Cut EVA short due to approaching inclement weather, Martian dust storm began to hit just as crew arrived back at Hab and were plugging in rovers.

Destination: Tank Wash (TW) head

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS):
TW: 12 S 0517045 4253364.

Participants: Whittle, Kennedy, Alexandrova

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) Hab to 12 S 0518228 4253500 via Cow Dung Rd
2) Walk to/fm TW
3) Return to Hab via Cow Dung Rd
Mode of travel: Opportunity, Spirit

Crew 216 EVA Report 25-Nov-2019
EVA # 01
Author: Whittle
Purpose of EVA: Collect gypsum samples from 3 sites to produce plaster for research
Start time: 0830
End time: 1030

Narrative: On route to first point (Beige Moon, BM), realized the battery was draining quickly due to cold weather. Decided to drop BM as out of range, and just visit 2 closer sites (WM2 and WM1). Scattered gypsum at WM2, lots more at WM1, collected approx. 1 kg. Both sites precisely marked for future reference.

Destination: White Moon 2 sites (WM2, WM1)
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS):
WM2: 12 S 0517833 4254621;
WM1: 12 S 0517681 4254318.

Participants: Whittle, Kennedy, Lawson

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) Hab to 12 S 0517742 4254636 via Cow Dung Rd
2) Walk to/fm WM2
3) 12 S 0517742 4254636 to 12 S 0517773 4254333 via Cow Dung Rd
4) Walk to/fm WM1
5) Return to Hab via Cow Dung Rd
Mode of travel: Curiosity, Spirit

[title EVA Report – November 19th]

Crew 215 EVA Report 19-Nov-2019
EVA # 10
Author: Jennifer Lane
Purpose of EVA: To return rock samples used for training to collection sites
Start time: 0915
End time: 1025
Narrative: We made our way south on Cow Dung road to road 1101 where we pulled up and
found a nice place to return our agate samples, among other things that we had been
viewing through the microscope. On our way back up Cow Dung Road we stopped to take
photos at several locations, noting that this was likely to be our last EVA due to the
incoming inclement weather.
Destination: Entry to road 1101
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 519500E 4247300N
Participants: Guy Murphy, Shane Usher and Jennifer Lane
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: South on Cow Dung Road, onto road 1101
Mode of travel: Curiosity Rover and Spirit Rover

[title EVA Report – November 16th]

[category eva-report]

Crew 215 EVA Report 16-Nov-2019
EVA # 08
Author: Jennifer Lane
Purpose of EVA: Continue with the sweeping of Micrometeorite Site 5 (MM5) grid squares
Start time: 1305
End time: 1515
Narrative: The crew made their way to the micrometeorite sampling site and managed to sweep 36 squares, which finished the remainder of our 10×10 grid. They were also able to collect aggregate to experiment with creating our Martian concrete. This will take place next week during the final week of the rotation.
Destination: MM5 site south along Cow Dung Road
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 518462E 4248949N
Participants: Guy Murphy, Shane Usher and Larissa Wilson
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road
Mode of travel: Opportunity and Spirit Rover

Crew 215 EVA Report 15-Nov-2019

EVA # 06

Author: Jennifer Lane

Purpose of EVA: Continue with the sweeping of Micrometeorite Site (5) (MM5) grid squares

Start time: 0930

End time: 1150

Narrative: We made our way south on Cow Dung road to the micrometeorite site and

managed to sweep an additional 24 of the 1m squares of the grid. This leaves 36 more

squares to complete.

Destination: MM5 site south along Cow Dung Road

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 518462E 4248949N

Participants: Andrew Wheeler and Jennifer Lane

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

Mode of travel: Curiosity and Spirit Rovers.

EVA # 07

Author: Jennifer Lane

Purpose of EVA: Rescheduling of the simulated electrocution of the engineer while the

daily engineering EVA is being conducted (EVA request #5).

Start time: 4:50

End time: 5:05

Narrative: Whilst conducting his daily engineering EVA, Shane feigned an electric

shock. Guy and Larissa suited up and depressurized to conduct an emergency rescue.

Using a heavy duty carry sheet, they were able to drag and carry Shane back into the

airlock and then coordinate with the remainder of the crew how to lift him over the

final step while pressurizing.

Destination: Directly outside the hab

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 518230E 4250725N

Participants: Guy Murphy and Larissa Wilson

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: N/A

Mode of travel: Foot

Crew 215 EVA Report 13 Nov 2019
EVA # 03
Author: Jennifer Lane
Purpose of EVA: Scouting for and collecting gypsum for use in creating Martian concrete
Start time: 0200
End time: 1555
Narrative: Heading north on Cow Dung road, we stopped at White Moon and immediately found our desired gypsum. We collected a bucket full in individual zip lock bags. These will be crushed over the weekend (while we’re unable to conduct EVAs due to a solar event) and mixed with an aggregate to create concrete; testing the ability for in-situ recourse utilization on Mars. On our return journey, we began having issues with the Opportunity Rover. Lucky we were close enough to have a visual on the hab, and so walked the remaining distance before contacting outpost for assistance with retrieving the vehicle.
Destination: White Moon
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 517500E 4254650N
Participants: Andrew Wheeler, Shane Usher and Jennifer Lane
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road onto Brahe Hwy 1572
Mode of travel: Curiosity and Opportunity Rover

Crew 215 EVA Report 14-Nov-2019
EVA # 05
Author: Jennifer Lane
Purpose of EVA: Continuing with our sweep for micrometeorites.
Start time: 0915
End time: 1145
Narrative: Returning to Micrometeorite site 5 (MM5), todays crew managed to sweep 30 of
our pre-created grid squares (30m2) for micrometeorites using the magnet on a stick
method. These samples are all bagged and labelled and will later be analyzed to
determine if any of the magnetic particles picked up, are in fact micrometeorites.
Destination: South on Cow Dung Road to the Micrometeorite site, and then back on Cow
Dung Road North to return to the hab.
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 518473E 4248960N
Participants: Guy Murphy, Steve Whitfield and Larissa Wilson
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: South on Cow Dung Road and then on foot 75m to the
site.
Mode of travel: Spirit Rover and Curiosity Rover

Crew 215 EVA Report 12 Nov 2019
EVA # 02
Author: Jennifer Lane
Purpose of EVA: Completed deployment of Micrometeorite grid before beginning sweeping
grid squares, as well as exploring local geology.
Start time: 0945
End time: 1220
Narrative: First priority was to finish off placing the strings at site MM5 to divide
the 10×10 m grid into 1 m squares. This was accomplished fairly quickly, so using the magnet on a fishing rod type configuration, sweeping began. After each square the bag is sealed to store the micrometeorites from that 1 m square and labelled before going onto the next square. Row ‘J’ was able to be fully swept and bagged. With some time left, we travelled further south along Cow Dung Road to road 1101 to explore local geology in the search for aggregate suitable for making cement before returning to the hab with some agate to look at under the microscope. Destination: South on Cow Dung Road to the Micrometeorite site, and then back on Cow Dung Road down to road 1101, before returning to the hab.
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 518473E 4248960N and 519500E 4247300N
Participants: Commander Andrew Wheeler, Shane Usher and Steve Whitfield
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road and road 1101.
Mode of travel: Spirit & Curiosity Rover

***ATTN: We understand the need to give exact coordinates for safety reasons, so they are included below, however, we believe the previous issues with having our grid disturbed were due to posting the exact location online. To prevent unwanted visitors from the sampling site, are we able to replace the final 3-4 coordinate numbers with XXXX when posting in public? Thank you.***

Crew 215 EVA Report 11 Nov 2019
EVA # 01
Author: Jennifer Lane

Purpose of EVA: Geological Reconnaissance

Start time: 0955
End time: 1215

Narrative: The first EVA for Crew 215 saw us scouting for an appropriate location to set up our 10m x 10m grid (MM5) for the micrometeorite sampling, which will be our 2nd such grid since Crew 214 began. We found an undisturbed location at 518462E 4248949N just off Cow Dung Road to begin setting up the grid with the boundaries.

After a minor issue with aligning the strings to NESW (which we attribute to the crumbly Martian regolith and lack of magnetic poles on Mars, rather than human error) we were able to set up the square, ready for the full deployment on subsequent EVAs.

Just after finishing, our alarm went off signaling 11 am, and so we spent a minute in silence for Remembrance or Armistice Day.

We soon continued on our way south and were able to scout another possible location we’re calling MM6. We took the coordinates of this location (519990E 4248036N) and then continued further south along Cow Dung Road before parking at the junction with road 1101 in search of gypsum, which we were unfortunately not able to find in this location, nor was there a site appropriate for any micrometeorite sampling.

Destination: Drove from the hab, south along Cow Dung Road, where we set up our grid, and then further south on Cow Dung Road to road 1101, before returning to the hab.

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 518462E 4248949N and 519900E 4248030N
Participants: Commander Andrew Wheeler, Larissa Wilson, and Jennifer Lane
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road to road 1101.
Mode of travel: Spirit Rover and Curiosity Rover

Cancel this!!!

Corrected EVA report to follow.

On Mon, Nov 11, 2019 at 10:32 PM BMD CapCom <bmdcapcom> wrote:

Mon 11 Nov Sol 1
by Guy Murphy

This morning we woke up on Mars. We emerged from our sleeping quarters at 7 am to views of the Sun rising across an alien landscape through the upper-level Hab windows. For the next 12 days, we are in full simulation mode (sim). We do not go outside of the designated pressurised areas of the campus unless wearing space suits and following a depressurisation protocol. We have to make do with the supplies we have and undertake our research projects and Hab maintenance while not breaking sim.

The crew is following a set daily schedule over the course of the mission, which includes rising at 7 am and lights out at 10 pm. This is to keep everyone working together on the same sleep cycle, and get the most of the available daylight hours. We are fortunate to have relatively warm, clear and dry days forecast for the next fortnight. Typically in this part of Utah, it is much colder at this time of year, with greater odds of precipitation.

The first EVA (Extra-Vehicular Activity) onto the Martian surface was completed this morning, with Larissa and Jennifer taking their first steps on another world. The 11th of November is Remembrance Day in Australia and New Zealand. As is customary, the crew stopped while out in the field for a minute of silence at 11 am to honour Australian and New Zealand service men and women.

For lunch, we consumed the remaining spaghetti bolognese from last night. Early afternoon, I showed the new crew how to make butter, cheese, and bread from the various dry ingredients in our stores. The bread machine is proving its worth.

On a long-duration mission with a limited pantry, we both crave novelty and must avoid wasting food products. Larissa is experimenting with creating a vegetarian mock pulled pork dish derived from banana skins. She has candied some orange and mandarine peel to include in a fruit bread she will bake tomorrow.