Author: jburk

Crew 188 EVA #10 Summary Report 06FEB2018
Author’s name: Julia DeMarines, Crew Astronomer, Green Hab Operator

Purpose of EVA: Filming of artistic Performing Astronautics and Bending Horizons projects using the Insta360 Pro Camera.

Location of EVA: RC South Site Region
UDM27 Coordinates: 12 S 518293 E 4249791 N (waypoint taken on EVA009)

Number of EVA Crew: 3
Participants: Zac Trolley, Sarah Jane Pell, Julia DeMarines
EVA Commander: Sarah Jane Pell

Road(s) and routes per MDRS map:
1. Take East on Entrance Road (Driving)
2. Turn Right onto Cow Dung Road (Driving)
3. Park on Cow Dung Road behind filming area ridge
4. Walk to filming location in field

Mode of Travel: Rover and Pedestrian
Vehicles you will be using (if applicable): Curiosity and Spirit

Summary:

EVA #10 arrived at our destination to the filming location on a very windy morning. We scouted the area out making sure this is where we wanted to film and if we could find a more wind-protected area to shield the Insta360º Pro camera. After some scouting we decided that the original location was ultimately the best location for Sarah Jane’s performance art. We discussed the choreography, set up the camera and then began recording. The first take was a success!

After completing Sarah Jane’s Performing Astronautics piece recorded using the Insta360º Pro, lovingly called Magpie, EVA 10 performed a science experiment in honor of the Falcon Heavy launch today. Julia acquired two small pop-top containers (that were once used for electrolyte tablets) and several alka-seltzer tablets. When small chunks of the alka-seltzer tablets are mixed with water in a closed container, gas builds up as does pressure. It took a few tries to get the ratio of water, air, and tablets correct, but once we did, we were able to launch our “Falcon Light” mini rockets! Our landing was not as graceful as the Falcon Heavy’s boosters returning in sync but we do believe our successful launch was 100% responsible for the success of the launch today as pop-rockets are known for their good luck and scientific opulence.

We will send photos and videos tomorrow.

Crew 188 EVA #11 Summary Report 6FEB2018

Author’s name: Tatsunari Tomiyama AHFP, Health & Safety Officer Purpose of EVA: Reconnaissance of “Moon” region near Brache Hwy 1572 for future 360 filming and micrometeorite samples in vicinity nears roads travelled.
Location of EVA: Copernicus Highway 1574 waypoints and Skyline Ridge as time permits.
UDM27 Coordinates: 12 S 515404E, 4253907N

Number of EVA Crew: 3
Participants: Ryan Kobrick Tatsunari Tomiyama, Renee Garifi
EVA Commander: Ryan Kobrick

Rovers used: ATV 1, 2, 3
Duration: 2hours 23minutes
EVA Departure Time: 14:03
EVA Return Time: 16:26

Summary:
The objective of this EVA was to create EVA way-points for a future mission. We started to prepare EVA #11 before the EVA #10 group arrived back to the base to maximize EVA activity time because we expected that the destination point could be far away than our planning expectation. We used 3 ATVs for this reconnaissance mission. Brahe Highway was relatively easy to navigate using GPS but has many large bumps and pits in the road and required us to go slowly during this part of the route. However, once people have experience, this issue could be negligible. Overall, the objective was successfully completed in this EVA activity although our Garmin GPS unit battery was running low due to use on both EVA #10 and EVA #11.

Following our micrometeorite sample collections on a flat hilltop, we took Brahe Highway to the right on the Copernicus Highway and headed to east. We passed “Yellow Moon” indicated on the MDRS provided map. At that point, we returned back the Copernicus highway toward west. We could drive nearby Toothy Ridge on the Copernicus Highway and we decided to return to the base because of the time restriction.

On the way back to the base, we passed a grey unmarked electric rover parked about 4 minutes north of the Hab on Cow Dung Road. The vehicle was the same color and the same type which we use for MDRS. There was no person around the vehicle and no name was labeled on the vehicle. We took a photo in case mission support would like to see the vehicle. It may be the personal rover of Dr. Rupert but we would like to confirm.

Crew 188 EVA #9 Summary Report 05FEB2018
Author’s name: Julia DeMarines, Crew Astronomer, Green Hab Operator

Purpose of EVA: Scouting of Crew 187’s recommended exploration area for chlorophyll sample collection and potential site for artistic Performing Astronautics and Bending Horizons projects using the Insta360 Pro Camera.

Location of EVA: “Despacito Rd” via 1101 off of Cow Dung Road UDM27 Coordinates: 519000 E, 4247500 N (the crew has mapped out several waypoints along potential path for confirmation)

Number of EVA Crew: 3
Participants: Ryan Kobrick (EVA CDR), Sarah Jane Pell, Julia DeMarines EVA Commander: Ryan Kobrick

Road(s) and routes per MDRS map:
1. Take East on Entrance Road (Driving)
2. Turn Right into Cow Dung Road (Driving)
3. Turn right on Crew 187’s “Despacito Rd” at 1101 marker (Driving) 4. Park at the end of the road near fence/gate
6. Resume walking towards West
7. Return by the same route

Mode of Travel: ATV and Pedestrian
Vehicles you will be using (if applicable): Blue ATVs 1, 2, 3, and Red ATV 4 Rovers used: None
Duration: 2 hours 41 minutes
EVA Departure Time: 10:26
EVA Return Time: 13:07

Summary:

We started up our ATV’s and drove staggered to our first waypoint at the intersection of Cow Dung road and “Despacito Rd” at the 1101 marker. Despacito Rd was much rockier than Cow Dung Rd and we advanced with caution around some high slope and eroded out areas. All four of us made it to our destination safely and parked the ATV’s. Next we walked around and explored the region for suitable spots for Dr. Sarah Jane Pell’s Performing Astronautics and Bending Horizons projects. Sarah Jane found a central spot to set up her Insta360º Pro camera and we recorded about 10 minutes of footage of the crew playing with bubbles at varying distances and heights around the camera. This made an excellent test run for Sarah Jane’s project, which she hopes to begin record tomorrow. Julia DeMarines collected several green samples for her Chlorophyll project.

Once the team was satisfied with their collections, footage, and exploration, we decided to head back home. This was not a difficult decision to make, as it was the hottest day on “Mars” since we arrived, and we were all feeling the heat. Not because we are all (obviously) outstandingly attractive but because the spherical helmet has a way of amplifying the Sun’s rays and we were wearing more than one layer of clothing. On the way back on Cow Dung Rd we stopped at a site of interest that we saw on the way out which looked like another excellent area for Sarah Jane’s Performing Astronautics and Bending Horizons project. We got off of our ATV’s and explored around for 10 minutes finding an even better location for filming. We marked a waypoint on Ryan’s GPS and headed back to the base. Once we had arrived we filled up the gas tanks on the ATV’s while we were waiting for Ryan’s dust project to be ready in the airlock. At 13:07 we entered the airlock, at 13:12 we entered the Hab, and at 13:31 we officially ended EVA #9 after removing our equipment, plugging them in, and cleaning our helmets. We will consider dressing lighter underneath our flight suits on future hot days as it was 20ºC by the time we returned.