Category: EVA Report

Crew 201 EVA Report 24-Dec-2018

EVA #7

Author: Carlos Mariscal, XO

Purpose of EVA: To do artificial vision and camera testing in various terrains in order to determine algorithm performance in environments with changes of ground color and rock sizes and to look for appropriate locations for rover prototype testing.

Start time: 11:00 h

End time: 15:00 h

Narrative: We started our journey with a really good mood, drove to the southeast using the rover Curiosity and did a couple of stops in Robert’s Rock Garden and Zubrin’s Head, ideal landscapes for some pictures to train our artificial vision algorithms, then we drove to find the Greenstone road, but it’s quite hard to find, we got lost and almost got to the highway, but we turned back and looked carefully, left the rover and started walking, heading to North Pinto Hills.

Amazing landscapes and pics! We walked around 3 km and climbed one of the hills; on our way back to the rover we found several animal footprints, maybe a feline, elks and mice, quite scary at first, but something nice to see. We got safe to the rover and started our way back and Something really random happened; we found a truck in the way, a family (dad and two children) were excited to see us and asked a picture of the kids with us. Quite funny.

Finally, we got home, safe and sound, with some cool stories for the rest of the crew and lots of photos, both to remember and keep on working.

Destination: North Pinto Hills, with stops at Robert’s Rock Garden and Zubrin’s Head.

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): N 4248782.15, E 520960.16

Participants:
César Serrano, Engineer

Carlos Mariscal, XO

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Driving to south-east on Cow Dung Road 0110 then walking to north-east Greenstone Road and finally east to North Pinto Hills.

Mode of travel: Rover Curiosity

EVA # 6

Author: Federico Martinez, Crew Astronomer.

Purpose of EVA: Further identify plausible RAN repeater locations with the consideration of 22 dBw antenna power for local cell generation (up to 3 km radius per cell). Additional soil samples from locations within route.

Start time: 10:45
End time: 14:42

Narrative: The crew drove for about 5 km and then stopped aside the road to start walking to our destiny, The Moon. The rovers are having troubles with the battery due to the low temperatures.

We decided to cut the road by walking inside the dunes of Mars, but after a few hours, the crew got confused about the correct way to our destination. Guiding us with the map, we found out that we were on the right direction to The Moons. During this long walk we explored the zone for our EVA objectives. After almost 4 km, the crew finally arrived to the destiny and a little further. We took a couple of pictures and measurements to begin the walk back to the Hab. The total distance of today´s EVA was 17 km, and from this 7.3 were by walking.

Destination: The Moon

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): E515708.2, N4254873

Participants: Commander, HSO, Greenhab Officer, Crew Astronomer\scientist

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: From the Hab through the PEV Road to the north a few kilometers before exit 1572 Brahe Hwy. We walked through White Moon, Beige Moon until we found the road in Yellow Moon. We walked back through Brahe Hwy.

Mode of travel: Driving and walking.

Vehicles you will be using (If applicable): Curiosity & Opportunity

EVA #5

Author: Genaro Grajeda

Purpose of EVA: Site Survey for Very Small Aperture Terminal installation

Start time: 11:10 hrs

End time: 13:15 hrs

Narrative: A small road survey location was performed to find road 1103 in order to hike to find Hab Ridge Road. EVA team walked toward Old Repeater Point expecting to find a repeater station; however a fantastic view of factory view was found. A small walk was performed in order to find a suitable location at top of the ridge overlooking the habitat where a VSAT will be installed for a theoretical updated Radio Access Network that could service a SmartHAB and possible real life asset tracking network.

Destination: Hab Ridge South Zone

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 425090N 518000W

Participants: Genaro Grajeda and Federico Martínez

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Road 1103, Hab Ridge Road.

Mode of travel: Walking

Dear MS,

This is our EVA Report from today. Thank you

EVA #4

Author: Carlos Mariscal, XO

Purpose of EVA:

1.- For the “Behaviour of Artificial Vision algorithms for Autonomous Navigation” project, the purpose is to take as many pictures as possible (at least 100) of different terrains. The purpose of the pictures is to use them to train artificial vision algorithms for pattern recognition (color, size and shape). In order to get a good algorithm training, it is necessary to get pictures of terrains with high rock formations, medium rocks and planitia, as well of different red-ish tones.

Tools required: 2 webcams, cannon camera, laptop.

2.- For the “Martian Soil Analysis for usage on Greenhab” project, the purpose is to collect the first soil samples from different locations to prepare initial organic material mixes. This will serve as a starting point to validate soil mixes.

Start time: 11:15 h (15 min delay)

End time: 13:15 h

Narrative:

Today we were all really excited of doing the first EVA for experiments, four of us suited up (with the help of the other crew members, of course). At 11:15 (with a small delay), we left the hab and started the ride to our destination. Once we arrived at junction of Galileo Road and Cactus Road, we realized that Cactus Rd is not a way for rovers, so we had to continue by walk. Because of the time originally planned for the EVA and the distance to the destination, we could only get to our first location and the nearby of Cactus Rd.

The purpose of the activity was successfully achieved, since the GreenHab Officer got three really generous and different soil samples and the XO got some amazing pics for his artificial vision experiment, besides the landscape and team pics, which are pretty awesome too.

The walk back to the rovers taught us to better estimate the clothes we have to use under the suits… we were exhausted, but so happy to have achieved our goals and get back home to have some delicious pasta!

Destination: Nearby of Galileo Road, Cactus Road

Coordinates:

Target locations:

N 4252233.867, E 519641.711

N 4252238.317, E 521387.643

N 3586606.658, E 523036.484

Actual locations achieved:

N 4252233.867, E 519641.711

N 4252219.69, E 479921.76

Participants: 4 participants

Tania Robles – Commander

Carlos Mariscal – XO

Genaro Grajeda – HSO

Walter Calles – GreenHab Officer

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Road 1103, then Galileo Road 1104 until Cactus Road 1104, at that point the crew members walked to destination.

Mode of travel: Driving, using Curiosity and Opportunity rovers.

Crew 201 EVA Report 17-Dec-2018

EVA #1-3

Author: Carlos Mariscal

Purpose of EVA: Training

Start time EVA 1: 13:30

End time EVA 1: 14:35

Start time EVA 2: 14:40

End time EVA 2: 14:45

Start time EVA 3: 14:50

End time EVA 3: 15:40

Narrative:

We had planned a couple of smooth EVAs to train the crew in the usage of the rovers and the suits. The plan was to have two teams of 4 people each (2 members would do 2 EVAs), however, once outside the Hab, the teams realized the Opportunity and Spirit rovers had low charge levels and the only one with full charge was Curiosity. After running in circles for some minutes, we decided to completely change the plans, we set our main priority as have all the team members trained and have their chance do to EVA.

Then we set the new plan as having three 2-people teams and use wisely the Curiosity rover. All three teams would do a short drive to Marble Ritual, explore 20 minutes at most and come back so the next team could do the same. From having planned two quite long EVAs with estimated end time at 16:30, we had three quite short (and efficient EVAs) of around 40 minutes each instead, having the last one ended at 15:30.

A quick troubleshoot from MDRS Director seemed to have solved the issue, but at the moment of writing this report, the rovers are not charging again.

We still don’t know what the problem is, which worries us a little; we’ll keep in touch with MDRS Director in order to find out what is happening.

Destination: Marble Ritual

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS):

Participants:

EVA 1

– Genaro Grajeda

– César Serrano

EVA 2

– Tania Robles

– Federico Martínez

EVA 3

– Carlos Mariscal

– Walter Calles

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map

Mode of travel: Curiosity rover (all 3 EVAs)

Crew 200 EVA Report 12-13-2018

EVA #6

Author: Lindsay Rutter

Purpose of EVA: 1) Map out locations that allow radio communication
between EVA crew and HabCom around Phobos Peak 2) Test how EVAs can
safely and effectively be conducted with three-member crew, including
rover use.

Start time: 14:12

End time: 16:00

Narrative: With media guests visiting the habitat today, our EVA was
pushed back in time, which was authorized by Shannon. We continued our
communication and radio strength and connectivity testing protocol
today. Our EVA began with an engineering check. We then used
Opportunity to drive north on Cow Dung Road. We intended to stop at
the west end of Stream Bed Connector, but we inadvertently stopped at
the east end of Galileo Road 1104, which we walked along for almost
its entirety. Through our GPS system and our communications with
HabCom, we realized we were probably on Galileo Road 1104 and so we
returned back to the west end of it. We then continued driving
Opportunity northward. We intended to explore areas about 1 kilometer
north of Reservoir Dam, but by the time we were 0.2 kilometers north
of Reservoir Dam, we had lost connectivity with HabCom for several
consecutive radio tests. This lack of connectivity continued even when
we parked the rover and stood on higher points. We decided to return
driving south, communicating with HabCom throughout the return,
sometimes having to park the rover and stand on higher points.
Arriving back at the habitat about fifteen minutes early, we explored
the hills on the west side of the habitat, still following our
communication and radio strength and connectivity testing protocol. We
are excited to report that the battery usage on Opportunity was much
more efficient than it has been lately.

Destination: Galileo Road 1104, above 0.2 kilometers north of Reservoir Dam

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 519100 E – 4252000 N, 518250 E – 4253000 N

Participants: Makiah, Lindsay

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map : Driving on Cow Dung Road and walking
on Galileo Road 1104

Mode of travel: Driving and walking

Crew 200 EVA Report 12-12-2018

EVA #5

Author: Antoine Bocquier

Purpose of EVA: 1) Map out locations that allow radio communication
between EVA crew and HabCom around Phobos Peak 2) Test how EVAs can
safely and effectively be conducted with three-member crew, including
rover use.

Start time: 10:35

End time: 12:30

Narrative: The media filming around the Hab this morning, we had to
delay a bit our planned EVA. In addition, in agreement with Shannon
they were using the rovers, so we had to change our plans and perform
a walking EVA. We chose to go to Phobos Peak, which we could not reach
on our EVA monday, to map the radio coverage.
The walking went very fine (30mn to get to Phobos Peak), once there,
we walked north up to Mountain Goat Trail before coming back to the
Hab by the north. Radio link was pretty clear all along, we estimated
that Phobos Peak could be a very good location to settle a radio relay
(to explore eastern areas) and may be accessible on its northern side.
We are currently processing the acquired data (radio check every 2mn +
GPS positions) to complete our radio coverage map.

Destination: Phobos Peak + Southern part of Mountain Goat Trail

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 519500 E – 4250500 N

Participants: Lindsay, Antoine

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

Mode of travel: walking

Crew 200 EVA Report 11-12-2018

EVA #4

Author: Antoine Bocquier

Purpose of EVA: 1) Map out locations that allow radio communication between EVA crew and HabCom, in northern and southern regions 2) Test how EVAs can safely and effectively be conducted with three-member crew, including rover use.

Start time: 9:10

End time: 10:55

Narrative: After the engineering tour, we drove with Curiosity to the north, then to the south to explore and map the regions of communication strength/readibility. We applied a communication protocol to control the radio strength/readability (QSA/QRK codes) every minute and communicate GPS coordinates every 5mn.
We first drove to Galileo road, planning to stop for a short walk at Connector Stream Bed. However we did not find both of them, being focused on our communication test protocol and with the recent snow melting. We went further than expected to the north, up to cowboy’s corner where we stopped as we realized from the transmitted coordinates that we were too far.
On our way back to the Hab to change the rover and go to the south, we confirmed the location of Connector Stream Bed. Arrived at the Hab at 9:50, we took Opportunity to go to Robert’s Rock Garden, applying the same communication protocol. From there we walked along Kissing Camel Ridge Edge to complete yesterday’s mapping of this area. We then drove back and came back on time at the Hab. Analysis of the acquired data is in process and the first results are promising!

Destination: Galileo Road (up to Cowboy Corner) + Robert’s Rock Garden

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 518000 E – 4249300 N to 519000 E – 4252500 N

Participants: Makiah, Antoine

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map : Cow Dung Road by driving, walking along Kissing Camel East Ridge

Mode of travel: driving, walking

Crew 200 EVA Report 10-12-2018

EVA #3

Author: Antoine Bocquier

Purpose of EVA: 1) Map out locations around the habitat that allow for radio communication between EVA crew and HabCom, 2) Test how EVAs can safely and effectively be conducted with three-member crews.

Start time: 10:35

End time: 12:30

Narrative: Crew conducted first 3-crew member EVA to explore and map the regions of communication strength/readibility. We applied a
communication protocol to control the radio strength/readability (QSA/QRK codes) every minute and communicate GPS coordinates every 5mn. We planned contingency plans for loss of signal and navigation. Afterwards, the crew mapped the locations of perceived path by each crew member against the estimated path based on recorded GPS coordinates. We could not explore as much area as planned (we planned to have a walk to Phobos’s Peak) given the time left but the experiment was a success, both on the EVA crew and HabCom sides for a 3-member crew.

Destination: Kissing Camel East Ridge

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 519000 E – 4249500 N to 518500 E – 42505000 N

Participants: Makiah, Lindsay

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

Mode of travel: walking

EVA #2

Author: Makiah Eustice
Purpose of EVA: Engineering check, experiencing walking/hiking,
finding purple samples

Start time: 10:50

End time: 13:00

Narrative: Makiah performed the engineering check of the station, we
traveled until we could spot purple-like regolith. We hiked about 12
meters to collect a sample and view the landscape. We walked back.

Destination: Not-named

Coordinates (use UTM NAD27 CONUS): 518000 E – 4250000 N to 518000 E – 4252000 N

Participants: Oakley, Makiah Ilaria, Lindsay

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map : not used, short travel

Mode of travel: walking