Crew 214 EVA Report 30-10-2019
EVA # 3
Author: Andrew Wheeler
Purpose of EVA: Geological Reconnaissance
Start time: 1330
End time: 1540
Narrative: This EVA is the first of the scientific activities. Locations for deployment of a sampling grid necessary for collection of magnetic material from the top 1 cm of the regolith that could be identified as micrometeorites were visited and evaluated. One corner of potential grid locations were GPS surveyed and photographed for later layout of the grid. There are two locations near Tank Wash off Cow Dung Road (1) and two locations southeast of the junction of Galileo Road and Cactus Road (2). They are as follows:
Tank Wash #1 518472E 4253624N (preference #4)
Tank Wash #2 518477E 4253767N (preference #1)
Cactus Road #1 519570E 4251974N (preference #3)
Cactus Road #2 519958E 4251995N (preference #2)
Destination: Drove from the hab along Cow Dung Road to Tank Wash and then returned to Galileo Road and the junction it has with Cactus Road.
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): (1): 518500E 4253800N (2): 520100E 4251500N
Participants: David Mateus, Guy Murphy, Andrew Wheeler
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road, Galileo Road, Cactus Road
EVA Report – October 29th
Crew 215 EVA Report 29-10-2019
EVA # 2
Author: Sandy Dance
Purpose of EVA:
Start time: 3:30pm
End time: 5pm
Narrative: This was an initial exploration for training purposes, where the suits (one piece) were used outside for the first time, plus learning how to handle the rovers. The trip involved heading north along Cow Dung Road, gradually uphill, before stopping and alighting from the vehicle. Here testing the ability to walk over rough ground took place. Then the journey ended after retracing the steps.
Destination: URC Northside to cross of Cows Dung Road with Galileos Road
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 4252000, 519050
Participants: David Mateus, Dianne McGrath, Sandy Dance
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road, Galileo Rd 1104 Mode of travel: Curiosity Rover, Spirit Rover, walking
EVA Report – October 29th
Crew 214 EVA Report 29-10-2019
EVA # 1
Author: Andrew Wheeler
Purpose of EVA: Training
Start time: 1400
End time: 1445
Narrative: This was a training exercise in Rover operations, familiarity with the roughness of the tracks and walking, climbing and driving whilst wearing spacesuits. It involved driving along Cow Dung Road to the Galileo Road turnoff to change drivers and then returning to Pooh’s Corner. Here, walking and climbing to higher ground and then descending to the rovers whilst wearing the two piece spacesuits, was practiced before returning to the hab.
Destination: Drove from the hab along Cow Dung Road to Galileo Road turn off before returning to Pooh’s Corner and the hab.
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 519100E 4252000N
Participants: David Mateus, Guy Murphy, Andrew Wheeler
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road
Mode of travel: Curiosity Rover, Spirit Rover, walking
EVA Report – May 17th
Crew 212 EVA Report 17-May-2019
EVA #13
Author: Hector Palomeque
Purpose of EVA: Search&Rescue drone mission scenario attempt 2
Start time: 07:30 (postponed to 08:30 due to weather)
End time: 09:30 (delayed to 09:45 due to miscommunications)
Narrative: This EVA was performed in order to test the Tarot drone in Search and Recovery missions and the very first test in a Martian-like environment of the Observation Rover. The EVA was postponed due to the strong winds but after the EVA crew had the permission of the Director (Dr. Shannon Rupert) to proceed the EVA started with a delay of 1 hour (08:30).
Two of the EVA crew members prepared the Tarot drone for take-off, however, this mission had to be suspended again due to a mechanical/electronic error that does not allow its correct drone take-off and makes it fall.
The other two EVA crew members made the test of the Observation Rover on land. It was a successful test. All the mechanics of the Rover seems to work properly. It is able to move even over tiny rocks and to climb hills.
Unfortunately, the crew had a misunderstanding with the end time. Also, because of the miscommunications with the Hab, the crew was not able to communicate that they were going back 15 minutes late.
Nevertheless, the situation was treated at the debriefing after EVA in order to gain knowledge and experience for everyone, agreeing at the end with the determination of the EVA crewmember responsible for communications and the correct protocol for doing it.
Destination: Hab – Marble Ritual
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): Sector12S Northern 4250933, Eastern 518167
Participants: Zoe, Vittorio, Paolo, and Hector
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: 1103
Mode of travel: Driving – Curiosity and Spirit
EVA #12 Report – May 16th
Crew 212 EVA Report 17-MAY-2019
EVA #012
Author: Zoe Townsend
Purpose of EVA: Collection of sand for outreach purposes and physiological experiments to see how the suits performed in exercise.
Start time: 09.30
End time: 11.00
Narrative:
Today’s EVA was aimed at assisting with the project on the physiological effects of the suits. The EVA was to walk up to the Mid Ridge Planitia viewpoint to see how much oxygen was in the blood before and after the EVA, therefore assessing the suitability of the suits.
The experiment was deemed a partial failure where there were difficulties in isolating the suit to the outside elements. The windy weather also affected the testing where it wasn’t a true test of the suits fans ability.
Summary of the debrief, after the EVA:
- · Communication was the best over all the sim
- · Issue with clarification of time change (read earlier email from commander)
Coordinates (UTM NAD27 CONUS): Sector12S Northern 4251250, Eastern 516000
EVA Participants: Paola, Mariona (Medic), Camilo and Zoe (Commander)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Sagan Street 1103
Mode of travel: (walking or driving)? Walking.
EVA Report – May 15th
Crew 212 EVA Report 15-MAY-2019
EVA #11
Author: Paolo Guardabasso
Purpose of EVA: Drone Search&Recovery scenario test
Start time: 8:30 AM
End time: 10:15 AM
Narrative: this EVA was intended to test the utility of drones in Search and Recovery missions. A dummy airplane was placed at Marble Ritual to simulate a crash landing site, and an automatic mission was planned for the Tarot drone, equipped with a camera connected to a First Person View visor in real time. The two crew members placed the ground station a few meters East of the Hab and prepared the drone for take-off. Unfortunately, the vehicle was unable to take-off and the test was cancelled, and the dummy plane recovered. These results, although unsuccessful, proved fundamental to prepare for the next EVA (planned for Friday, Sol 12), where a similar scenario will be proposed.
Destination: Hab – Marble Ritual
Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): Sector12S Northern 4250933, Eastern 518167
Participants: Vittorio Netti (Medic), Paolo Guardabasso (Commander)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: 1103
Mode of travel: Walking
EVA Report – May 14th
Crew 212 Rover test EVA report 14-MAY-2019
Engineering EVA
Author: Paolo Guardabasso
Purpose of EVA: Drive test of Opportunity, Spirit, Curiosity.
Start time: 10:45
End time: 12:15
Narrative: this EVA was performed to test the three rovers in similar conditions, to verify their status; it was chosen to perform the EVA in the late morning so that temperatures simulated an EVA worst case scenario. Three crew members (the Crew Engineer Paolo, the Spacesuit engineer Camilo and the Executive Officer Vittorio) drove on Cow Dung Road 0110 about one mile north from the Hab (arriving close to the crossing with Galileo Road) and then performed a U-turn and drove south. Around 0.3 miles after, Opportunity turned off becausethe battery overheated. The driver of Opportunity mounted on Curiosity and the EVA crew proceeded south and passed the Hab, driving one more mile south. Then, they performed a U-turn and drove back to the Hab. Battery levels were verified after 1 mile, at the failure point of Opportunity (1.3 miles), after 2 and 3 miles and at the Hab. A detailed GPS map is attached.
Results:
· Opportunity: the rover stopped because of the battery overheated after about 1.3 miles. It was recovered in the late afternoon (6:30pm)
· Spirit: the rover battery dropped to 65% after only 4 miles (declared autonomy is 50 miles).
· Curiosity: the rover performed nominally throughout the mission.
A graph of the battery levels for each rover over the distance is attached.
Recommendations
· Opportunity should not be used, or only be used during early morning or late day EVAs, when the temperature is low, and never without a backup rover.
· Spirit can only be used on a maximum range of 3 miles, otherwise the battery might not be enough for the way back.
· For all the rovers, a check of radiator water levels should be run as soon as possible, to verify that the tank is filled as per the manual.
EVA Report – May 14th
Crew 212 EVA Report 14-MAY-2019
EVA #010
Author: Zoe Townsend
Purpose of EVA: Collection of sand samples for contaminants.
Start time: 16:30
End time: 18:45 (late and extended to rescue Opportunity)
Narrative:
Today’s EVA was to collect sand for containments. The results of which will be postposed back on Earth. Prior to the EVA, the team were contacted by Shannon to explain that part of the road was unpassable, the decision was taken to walk from Zubin’s head. Due to the heat the EVA was reduced from 2 hours to one and a half starting half an hour later.
During the EVA, the crew required a lot of equipment to prevent contamination of the samples. Therefore, the decision was taken to first scout the area and then once the location was decided to conduct the sample extraction. An unfortunate run in with non sim personal delayed the start of the extracted where there was persistence to take photos of the crew.
Throughout sand extraction communication came through from the Hab and whist the crew tried to communicate apparently the Hab could not hear the responses. The crew returned to the rover and headed back to base. Unfortunately, due to a combination of the delayed start, non sim personal and walking instead of driving the sim overran and without stable communication the Hab decided that emergency measures where required. Shannon headed toward the sight and caught up with the team returning to the Hab. After establishing the issues with the radios it was decided the crew was healthy and the situation was stable. It was then decided that the crew would collect Opportunity from it position after the Engineering EVA.
–
The debrief was extensive and these are the results:
- · That upon arriving at any sight, confirmation must be made that the crew are in radio contact.
- · Timings must be adhered too
- · That all personal must be present prior to EVA to help with ensuring the embarking crew have all equipment required
- · A check list of equipment will be adhered to or else the EVA will be stopped
- · A briefing before all EVAs is compulsory.
Coordinates (UTM NAD27 CONUS): Sector12S Northern 4248210, Eastern 518718 and also Sector12S Northern 4246840, Eastern 518268
EVA Participants: Hector (Medic), and Zoe (Commander)
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: 1101
Mode of travel: (walking or driving)? Rover Curiosity.
Kind Regards,
Zoe
EVA Report #9 – May 13th
Crew 212 EVA Report 13-MAY-2019
EVA #09
Author: Vittorio Netti
Purpose of EVA:
Primary objective
Testing the first BVLOS mission of the "Palantir" fixes wing drone (Success)
Testing the flight attitude shifting capabilities of the "X-5" fixes wing VTOL drone (Partial Failure)
Measuring the Oxygen fluxus from the SpaceSuit under extensive stress (Partial Success)
Measuring the Oxygen level in blood after extensive stress in Spacesuit (Success)
Secondary objectives
Collecting aerial photos of the martian surface (Success)
Testing the assisting landing capabilities of the drone (Success)
Testing the ground control station during the auto mission mode (Success)
Start time: 16:00 AM
End time: 18:33 AM
Narrative:
The purpose of this EVA was to
The equipment was composed by:
– Palantir drone
– Ex Case 1 (pressurized)
– Ground Station Tripod
Since two experiments were foreseen for this EVA, two rovers were needed. Spirit presented anomalous battery consumption rates in the past days, so we decided to leave it at the Hab. Curiosity has always functioned nominally. Although Opportunity had overheating problems on last Sunday (Sol 0), it has been performing nominally in the past EVAs; while keeping the driving speed low, we decided to take it, as the EVA destination didn’t require a long drive (approx 15 minutes each way).
Opportunity departed from the hab with 100% of battery.
Curiosity departed from the hab with 100% of battery.
We departed from the Hab around 4:15 PM and drove towards north to free the mouse (captured last night) before Cowboy’s Corner; the speed was maintained low to avoid overheating problems with Oppi. After that, both rovers performed a U-turn and drove in the direction of URC North Site. At around 50 meters from the final objective, Opportunity stopped, and the battery overheating warning was on. Battery level at that point was 99%. We tried to start the engine many times, but the alarm was always on and didn’t let the engine start.
Since that we were on the experiment site, we decided to leave the rovers and start the experiment procedures, hoping that the Opportunity batteries can cool down during that time.
Together with Paolo we proceeded to assembly the drones and the GCS. At the same time, Zoe and Camilo proceeded to set a running track in order to perform their experiment under stress.
The "Palantir" drone has been hand-launched by Paolo and suddenly the control has been taken by the program, that started the automatic photosurvey of the area. During the mission "Palantir took more than 150photos, mapping more than 45 Hectare of terrain in 28 minutes.
Zoe and Camillo proceeded with the experiment, running through the track for 10 minutes with their suit on, on which they previously sealed the external openings.
After the landing, the Palantir has been recovered without damages. Together with Paolo we proceeded to assembly and arming the X-5 for his test.
The X-5 take-off happened at 17.45, but after the transition to the Plane mode the aerodynamic surfaces resulted not to be controllable enough from the software. We tried to perform a controlled soft landing without success. The plane suffered an impact to the ground that destroyed both the motor support plates.
At the end of experiments, since Opportunity was still off, we received authorization from the Director to use one rover to carry all four EVA crew members back to the Hab, leaving all the equipment in the overheated rover to have place for all the crewmember. The crashed drone has been left on his impact point in order to perform further analysis on the impact dynamic
Opportunity was retrieved later by the Director and an out-of-sim crew member. During the recovery, the X-5 has been photographed and then stored in the Opportunity trunk together with the rest of the equipment They were able to start the rover and drive to the Hab, where the rover stopped once again, luckily right in front of the Hab.
Destination: URC North Site
Coordinates: (UTM NAD27 CONUS): 519012.00 E, 4251740.00 N, Zone 12S
EVA Participants: Vittorio Netti (Commander), Camillo Zorro (Medic), Zoe Townsend, Paolo Guardabasso
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Cow Dung Road 0110
Mode of travel: driving
EVA Report – May 12th
Crew 212 EVA Report 12-MAY-2019
EVA #08
Author: Marlen Castillo Vilcahuaman
Purpose of EVA: Locating the martian flora around the Hab.
Start time: 09:12
End time: 09:59
Narrative:
After walking around the Hab many times, it was reported that some interesting flora was growing near the place. The whole purpose of the EVA was to locate this places, for planning better our longer trips in search of the martian flora. Our next EVA had to cover all this points to collect the soil samples. After the walk, we could recognize the diversity around the Hab, and now we can have a better idea for the EVA that has to follow for this project. We were happy that communication was fine between ourselves and the Hab, and no incidents ocurred during the EVA.
Destination: Around the Hab
Coordinates (UTM NAD27 CONUS): Sector12S Northern 4250933, Eastern 518167
EVA Participants: Marlen, Mariona, Paolo, Vittorio
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: 1103
Mode of travel: Walking
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