Category: EVA Report

Crew 216 EVA Report 28-Nov-2019
EVA # 07
Author: Whittle
Purpose of EVA: Rover maintenance
Start time: 1015
End time: 1130
Narrative: Crew cleaned Opportunity, Spirit, and Curiosity. Whilst outside, crew secured outside panel on Hab wall by water tank which had been flapping and banging.
Destination: Hab
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12 S 0518227 4250721.
Participants: Whittle, Kennedy, Ho, Alexandrova
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) In vicinity of Hab
Mode of travel: Foot

Crew 216 EVA Report 26-Nov-2019
EVA # 04
Author: Kennedy
Purpose of EVA: Evaluate communication range to east of Hab with 5W radio transceiver, explore locations for communications rebroadcast, collect drone footage for education.
Start time: 1400
End time: 1545
Narrative: We began with a small technical difficulty with the drone footage. Michael had to replace the battery and reevaluate the auto follow feature. He eventually manually operated the drone while we drove the vehicles. Once in transit the drive to Galileo Road was uneventful. Near the junction of Galileo Rd 1104 and Cactus Rd 1104 the road travels in the wash. Due to recent precipitation, signs of vehicle travel were erased, we had to scout on foot to confirm the route that was in the GPS and maps was accurate. After a short survey of the area we found the rest of the road and continued down Cactus Rd 1104. At 0520999E 4252250N we stopped and evaluated the area. Comms were solid as there are few obstructions between that area and the Hab. The area was still quite grassy and not terribly Martian. We returned without incident.
Destination: Eastern end of Cactus Rd 1104
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12 S 0521940 4252800.
EVA Participants: Kennedy, Ho, Levesque
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) Hab to 12 S 0519100 4251980 via Cow Dung Rd,
2) 12 S 0519100 4251980 to 12 S 0519880 4251540 via Galileo Rd 1104
3) 12 S 0519880 4251540 to east end of Cactus Rd 1104
4) Explore suitable areas either side of road on foot
5) Return to Hab via reverse route
Mode of travel: Rover/Walk
Vehicles used: Opportunity, Spirit

[end]

[title EVA Report – November 26th]

Crew 216 EVA Report 26-Nov-2019
EVA # 03
Author: Whittle
Purpose of EVA: Evaluate communication range to S of Hab with 5W radio transceiver, explore locations for communications rebroadcast, collect more footage for documentary.
Start time: 0900
End time: 0945
Narrative: Crew left Hab to test range of 5W radio transceiver. Continued radio checks every minute until lost comms with Hab when passing through Kissing Camel Ridge (this had been the hypothesized loss of comms point due to terrain) at approximately 0905. Crew parked on road at grid 12 S 0518682 42488798. After discussing plan to evaluate high points at 12 S 0518585 4248798 and 12 S 0518758 4249076 (West and East of Cow Dung Rd), crew climbed West point (12 S 0518585 4248798). Here crew reestablished communications with Hab at 0915, discussed plan to evaluate second point to East of Cow Dung Rd (12 S 0518758 4249076). Crew captured landscape footage here. On route to 12 S 0518758 4249076 at approximately 0930 crew received message from Hab instructing return to Hab due to comms issue. Crew complied and returned to Hab, arriving at 0940. It should be noted for the report that crew maintained good internal EVA communications at all times (save for approximately 2 minutes after exiting rovers when ARES 9’s microphone fell off his head), and had good communications with Hab at all times except for the aforementioned loss of communications between passing through Kissing Camel Ridge and arriving at the high point at grid 12 S 0518585 4248798. On return, crew was made aware of communications issues at Hab, these did not affect internal comms amongst EVA members on channel 22, or communication from EVA to Hab using the 5W transceiver.
Destination: High Point South of Kissing Camel Ridge
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 12 S 0518585 4248798.
Participants: Whittle, Lawson, Alexandrova
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map:
1) Hab to 12 S 0518682 4248879 via Cow Dung Rd
2) Walked from 12 S 0518682 4248879 to high point at 12 S 0518585 4248798
3) Walked from 12 S 0518585 4248798 to 12 S 0518682 4248879
4) Returned to Hab via Cow Dung Rd
Mode of travel: Curiosity, Spirit

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