Category: EVA Report

Crew 315 EVA Report 22-04-2025

EVA : #4

Author: David Laude

Purpose of EVA: Travel to Candor Chasma area to look for desiccated soil for Elena’s project, look for easy entrance into the Chasma without entering and survey for Koi’s 100cameras potential project location. Then travel up Cow Dong Rd about 2 KM further where the Commander has seen desiccated soil in two, within 1KM, walking distance locations from where rovers will park next to Cow Dung Rd.

Start time for EVA : 1:33 pm

End time for EVA: 4:16 pm

Narrative: We got suited up paying particular attention to radio transmit switch location for easier access. That paid off. We were all in one piece suits. Traveled to Compass rock and spent 20 minutes scouting a route to Somerville Overlook as I know from previous experience it can be difficult to know where to turn off of Galileo. Both Koi and Elena from this EVA will travel there tomorrow. We did find a reasonable turn off and further route. While there Elena took a desiccated soil sample. Next, we drove to the west end of Candor Chasma to look for easy entrance. On first try too steep and then success further up along it to the west where it begins. One would take Galileo road to its end just pack Compass Rock and there is a nice open parking area to the left. On foot, one heads SE staying on the flat, following an erosional path while staying close to the elevated area to the right. Follow that to where one can easily walk down some rocks to the sandy bottom. The descent is only a few meters. Then, we went to the Cowboy Corner area where we found plenty of desiccated soil where Dave said it would be. Next, we viewed an area for later investigation on the west side of Galileo with perhaps the best collection of such soil for KMs around. Finally headed back to hab, arriving several minutes before the deadline.

Coordinates (use UTM WSG 84):

• Candor Chasma: 4252000N, 520000W.
• Galileo Road (probably Cowboy Corner): 4253500N, 518500W.

EVA Participants : David Laude (Commander), Elena Saavedra Buckley (Journalist/Greenhab), Urban Koi (HSO)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: The EVA will begin on Moonwalk Road, then proceed along Cow Dung Road 0110 to Galileo Road, parking the rovers near the west end of Candor Chasma as close as permitted. Then drive back to Cow Dung and north ~2KM. Return to MDRS via Cow Dung and Moonwalk.

Mode of travel: Driving and walking.

Crew 315 EVA Report 22-04-2025

EVA # 3

Author: Michael Andrews

Purpose of EVA: To collect 3-5 rock samples for the 3D Scanning project. We are to collect rocks no larger than 250 mm in any dimension in a variety of shapes, textures, and colors to return to the Hab. The Crew Artist will also be taking photos of the environment and EVA activities to convert into artwork or other mediums post-EVA.

Start time: 1005

End time: 1110

Narrative:

Crew Artist Gagnon and Engineer Andrews spent about 30 minutes of the EVA window trying out the two-piece spacesuits before entering the airlock. We found these to be preferable, but it was discovered at the end of the donning procedure that Suit 1’s neck ring was installed upside down – future work for the engineer. The pair began their EVA at 1005.

The EVA crew took Curiosity and Perseverance east to Cow Dung Road, and then proceeded south along it. Without a map, the crew tried to estimate where Robert’s Rock Garden was located, but stopped half a kilometer short of the destination after observing some notable collection of rocks on both sides of Cow Dung Road.

5 specimen canisters of various sizes were taken to the new EVA site, and 4 rocks of various sizes were collected. All specimens had to have no dimensions greater than 250 mm to comply with the scanner’s capabilities for Andrews’s project. On the other side of the road, the last rock sample was collected, and the large rock marker for the Hypatia satellite was discovered. Crew Artist Gagnon collected photos of the environment and activities throughout.

Once all rock samples were collected, the EVA crew returned to the Hab, plugged in Perseverance, and entered the airlock. The EVA ended at 1110.

Destination: Robert’s Rock Garden but EVA team stopped approximately 0.5 kilometers

Coordinates: Easting 518200, Northing 425000

Participants: Michael Andrews (Crew Engineer and EVA Lead) and Tim Gagnon (Crew Artist)

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

Mode of travel: Used two rovers to travel along Cow Dung Road until reaching Robert’s Rock Garden and parking on the road berm. The EVA team then traveled on foot, traveling no further than one kilometer from the rovers.

Crew 315 EVA Report 23-04-2025

EVA # 5

Author: Elena Saavedra Buckley

Purpose of EVA: To collect soil samples for Journalist’s project and to take drone footage from the HSO’s drone.

Start time: 0935

End time: 1215

Narrative:

Crew HSO and Crew Journalist used Curiosity and Opportunity to get to Somerville Overlook, which they reached after finding the route around Compass Rock. Despite some radio issues, they made it easily enough and practiced with the drone and took soil samples. They went under 2 km north on Cow Dung road in order to walk around and perform some more drone flights, and then they returned to the Hab. They plugged in Curiosity.

Destination: Somerville Overlook

Coordinates: 4253000N, 522150W

Participants: Urban Koi (HSO), Elena Saavedra Buckley (Journalist/GreenHab Officer)

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

Mode of travel: Two rovers the whole way, with slight foot exploration at Somerville Overlook and north on Cow Dung before turning back.

Crew 315 EVA 6 Report Date: 23 APRIL 2025

Sol: 3

Summary title: EVA 6 Overview

Author: Tim Gagnon

Purpose of EVA: Starlink Test and collect rock samples for 3D scan experiment.

Start time: 1330 hours

End time: 1625 hours

Narrative:

The Commander, Engineer, and Artist departed the Hab at 1330 hours on an EVA to Somerville Overlook. Utilizing Rovers Perseverance and Curiosity, the drive took about 45 minutes. When we arrived and parked, we set off on foot to the edge. The artist concerned about making the return trip to the rover stopped after 30 yards and turned around. He then did a photo survey of the landscape and photographed the Commander and Engineer proceeded to the edge so the engineer could deploy his portable Starlink system. It acquired a signal within three minutes of deployment. The Engineer then surveyed the area for interesting looking rocks for his 3D experiment. At about 1540, we began our drive back to the Hab. On Galileo Rd, the commander noticed the structure he calls “the Monolith” to our north so he stopped and with the Engineer tried to determine coordinates of its location. Once we got back to driving, the Commander pointed to a “dust devil” and the artist took photos as it crossed the road.

We arrived back at the Hab at 1625 hours.

Destination: Somerville Overlook

Coordinates: 4253000N, 522150W

Participants: CDR: David Laude, ENG: Michael Andrews, Artist: Tim Gagnon

Route: Moonwalk Road, Cow Dung Rd, Galileo Rd.

Mode of travel: Rovers Perseverance and Curiosity.

Crew 315 EVA Report 24-04-2025

EVA #7

Author: Urban Koi, HSO

Purpose of EVA: Travel to Overlook and then Sea of Shells area to survey a special object of interest, seen in the past by the Commander, for future close-up remote object observation via rover transportation and HSO’s drone. Objectives include: (1) Finding the compass heading to triangulate its position to find object of interest on the map to determine feasibility of flying a drone close to it for detailed HD imagery and (2) Filming 4K imagery of Mars terrain for HSO’s project.

Start Time: 0930

End Time: 1300

Narrative: The EVA began on Moonwalk Road, then proceeded along Cow Dung Road 0110. From there, Commander and HSO followed Brahe Highway to the Overlook, and then took Copernicus 1575 Highway to reach the Sea of Shells area (confirmed by Commander, 335 Magnetic, 347 True North).Commander and HSO perused the stunning shells that lined numerous dark red peaks.For the return trip to MDRS, we retraced the same route in reverse. Commander and HSO agreed that this is our favorite EVA—a successful one, where more was accomplished than originally planned. HSO was able to capture a myriad of beautiful 4K imagery at each location.

Destination: Overlook + Sea of Shells Area

Coordinates:

– Overlook, at the intersection of Brahe Hwy 1572 and Copernicus Hwy 1575 (4254500N, 516000W)

– Sea of Shells (4255500N, 516500W)

Participants: David Laude (Commander), Urban Koi (HSO)

Road(s) & Routes per MDRS Map: Moonwalk Road, Cow Dung Road, Galileo Road

Mode of Travel: Perseverance (Rover) + Hiking

Crew 315 EVA Report 24-04-2025

EVA # 8

Author: Michael Andrews

Purpose of EVA:

Start time: 1415

End time: 1630

(Note: My previous EVA request provided an incorrect end time. I meant to request 6 PM or 1800 but instead put 1600. This had us arrive 30 minutes after the officially approved EVA time, but once the error was realized at 1610, we were already on the way back via Rover and were in communications with the station throughout the entire mission.)

Narrative: Crew Engineer Andrews and Crew Journalist Saavedra-Buckley departed from the station via Opportunity Rover at 1415 and headed north along Cow Dung Road. After passing previously seen landmarks, we ventured into new territory… and immediately missed our turn. Although Cow Dung Road proceeds all the way to our destination of Green Mars View, the offshoot road to the Special Region actually appears to be the more developed road. We stopped briefly at the Special Region (known on Earth as the Burpee Dinosaur Quarry) before resuming our trip.

The terrain became more remote as we approached Green Mars View. Wary of our rover battery life, we stopped a few hundred feet short of our parking spot at 56% to give us a factor of safety for the return trip. Andrews found the highest local point and set up Starlink at 1451 while Saavedra-Buckley searched for desiccated soil samples.

The area was rather green and as a result, had no cracked and dried soil. Starlink connected after 2 minutes and began consuming power. After a quick speed test, the pair walked to the nearby overlook to take photos for the 100cameras project and attempt to locate the Monolith for Comander Laude’s project. Throughout the walk, Saavedra-Buckley interviewed Andrews for her article.

After an hour of power consumption, the Starlink terminal had consumed 35% of the battery pack and the crew packed up and powered up opportunity at 1400. On the way back, the error of the incorrect EVA request end time was realized when communicating with CapComm, and the crew ensured no stops or delays were made in order to return to the hab as soon as possible. The team returned and entered the airlock at 1425, ending the EVA at 1430.

Destination: Green Mars View

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): Easting 527500, Northing 4256750

Participants: Michael Andrews (Crew Engineer and EVA Lead) and Elena Saavedra-Buckley (Crew Journalist)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Exited MDRS onto Cow Dung Road, then took a left to head North. We proceeded and missed a turn, accidentally arriving at the Special Region. We returned to Cow Dung road and continued north until the end of the road to reach Green Mars View. The return trip was performed in the same steps, but in reverse.

Mode of travel: Opportunity Rover

Crew 315 EVA Report 25-04-2025

EVA # 10

Author: Michael Andrews

Purpose of EVA: We planned to first visit the site from EVA #3 in order to return the 5 rock samples that were collected to as close to their original location as possible. Then we intend to proceed to the true location of Robert’s Rock Garden and collect 1-2 more specimens for 3D scanning. Simultaneously, HSO Koi was planning on performing some drone testing in these high winds conditions to prepare for any contingencies in future EVAs with gusts of winds.

Start time: 1510

End time: 1610

Narrative: The HSO and Engineer departed the station slightly after 1400, entering a significantly windier environment than normal. We plugged in Perseverance before departing via Curiosity. The trip to EVA Site #3 only took about 5 minutes, and took another 10 minutes to return rock samples as close to their original locations as possible.

The EVA Crew then traveled approximately 5 minutes south further along Cow Dung Road until we believed we were at Robert’s Rock Garden. We radio’ed in with CapComm to have them check our EVA Link location, and CapComm rep Gagnon confirmed we had indeed arrived at the Rock Garden.

Andrews walked around the area looking for rock samples to take back to the ScienceDome for 3D scanning, while Koi tested drone operations in windy conditions. Andrews was able to recover 1 sample, and Koi’s drone did throw some wind alerts and required some compensation when flying.

Once all objectives were complete, the team returned to the station in about 10 minutes and began repressurization.

Destination: Robert’s Rock Garden and rock sample collection point from EVA #3

Coordinates (use UTM WGS 84): Easting: 518250, Northing: 4249000 (Robert’s Rock Garden) and Easting: 518250, Northing: 42450000 (EVA #3 site)

Participants: Michael Andrews (Crew Engineer and EVA Lead) and Urban Koi (Health and Safety Officer)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Used one rover to travel along Cow Dung Road until reaching Robert’s Rock Garden and parked on the road berm. The EVA team then traveled on foot, traveling no further than one mile from the rover.

Mode of travel: Used Curiosity rover to travel to the coordinates above. The EVA team then traveled on foot, traveling no further than one mile from the rover.

Crew 315 EVA Report 25-04-2025

EVA # 9

Author: Elena Saavedra Buckley

Purpose of EVA: To better view the Monolith and (for the Journalist’s purposes) to get one-on-one time with Commander

Start time: 0940

End time: 1252

Narrative: The Commander and Journalist took Perseverance up toward Green Mars View, where they walked around the rim of the canyon, took in the view, and talked. They trekked slightly north to get a better view of the Commander’s area of interest, but compass readings indicated that something the Journalist saw a previous day, with the Engineer, probably wasn’t it. They then went slightly west, dodging cacti, to get a better view and stopped a few times along the way. We considered going to Lith Canyon, but there wasn’t enough time. On the way back down Cow Dung, we stopped briefly for the Journalist to collect a soil sample.

Destination: Green Mars View

Coordinates: Green Mars View, 4257000N, 520500W

Participants: David Laude (Commander) and Elena Saavedra Buckley (Journalist)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: Went from Moonwalk to Cow Dung Road, then took a left and headed toward Green Mars View, where we parked the rover. Walked approximately 10 minutes north to get a better view of the Monolith.

Mode of travel: Perseverance and foot.

Crew 314 EVA Report #1 07Apr2025

EVA #: 1
Author : Odile Hilgers (HSO, CapCom for EVA #1) – Crew 314 has no Scientist in the group due to recent VISA complications.
Purpose of EVA : Training, suit adaptation, and communication practice
Start Time : 09:00 AM
End Time : 09:45 AM
Narrative : Crew 314 embarked on their first EVA mission with the primary goal of adapting to their space suits, practicing rover operations, and refining communication skills. Batoul Tani, Arnaud de Wergifosse, and Louis Baltus suited up, each in different types of space suits: Louis wore a one-piece suit, while Arnaud and Batoul used two-piece suits. Batoul, acting as the driver, took the wheel of the Spirit Rover with Louis as her passenger, while Arnaud drove the Opportunity Rover alone.
After a brief delay to retrieve the EVA Kit, the crew departed from the habitat and drove to the Marble Ritual site. Upon arrival, the team took some time to adjust to their suits, practicing movements and communication. Batoul and Arnaud encountered some initial difficulty in adjusting to their two-piece suits, finding them a bit restrictive. In contrast, Louis, wearing the one-piece suit, reported having better flexibility during movement, which helped him feel more at ease.
The team covered approximately 0.06 miles (100 meters for our Belgian team) away from their rovers as part of their walking exercise. However, after a reminder from the EVA request guidelines, which specified that they should stay within 0,025 miles (30-40 meters) of the rovers, they promptly turned back. This allowed them to stay within the safety limits while still gaining valuable experience.
As the crew moved across the terrain, they encountered some small relief features, which challenged their balance. Navigating this terrain provided a true test of their agility in the suits. Despite the difficulty, the crew successfully crossed a small hill and even shared an astronaut moment, recalling the famous steps of the first man on the moon.
Throughout the mission, the crew practiced communication, testing the walkie-talkies to ensure clear and effective exchanges. Cap Com, listening in, was able to hear Batoul’s joyful reactions through the radio, reflecting the enthusiasm and satisfaction of the team during this first EVA.
After completing the walk and the rover operations, the team made their way back to the base. Upon arrival, they followed standard procedure, allowing the required five minutes for air depressurization before re-entering the habitat.
Destination : Marble Ritual
Coordinates (UTM WGS 84): 425100N, 518550W
Participants : Batoul Tani (Journalist), Arnaud de Wergifosse (Executive Officer), Louis Baltus (Astronomer).
Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map : MoonWalk Road, Cow Dung Road, Marble Ritual.
Mode of Travel : Driving (Rovers Spirit and Opportunity) and walking

Crew 314 EVA Report#1 08Apr025

EVA # 3

Author: Louis Baltus (Astronomer)

Purpose of EVA: The objective of this EVA is for Batoul Tani to collect soil samples from three distinct locations to support her experiment on the effects of Martian regolith on bacterial cultures cultivated in the Science Dome. The goal is to study how different soil types influence the protection of bacterial growth from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, assessing their potential to mitigate UV-induced stress on microbial life.

The first stop will be at Cowboy Corner, where the crew will collect the initial soil sample from the area, which appears to have relatively open terrain. The second stop will be at the intersection of Cow Dung Road and Galileo Road, where the team will collect a second soil sample from this different geological context. Finally, the EVA will conclude at Pooh’s Corner, where the third and final soil sample will be gathered.

The samples from these varied locations will provide a diverse set of regolith types, helping to better understand the role of soil composition in shielding microbial life from harmful radiation and offering insights into potential habitability on Mars.

The crew will stay within a 300-meter radius of the rovers and head northeast towards Tharsis Montes.

Start time: 09:00 AM

End time: 12:00 AM

Narrative: At 09:07, decompression of the airlock began, and by 09:12, the EVA officially commenced. Odile departed solo in Rover Spirit, while Batoul drove Rover Opportunity with Béatrice as passenger. The team followed Cow Dung Road, heading towards Cowboy Corner.

At 09:24, the crew made an unscheduled stop at Marble Ritual due to communication disruptions. The issue appeared temporarily resolved, and the team resumed travel shortly after. At 09:26, they reached Pooh’s Corner, continuing their route without further delay.

By 09:35, the team arrived at coordinates 519000 ; 425180. At this point, communication was again lost, and CapCom encountered difficulties re-establishing contact. With support from the broader Mission Support Team, the issue was diagnosed and resolved. Communications remained stable for the remainder of the EVA.

The crew reached the first sampling site—Cowboy Corner—at 09:50. After parking the rovers, the astronauts proceeded on foot. Sample collection commenced at 09:53, and the first set of samples was secured in the rover by 10:03. The team remained on site to conduct additional exploration.

At 10:20, the EVA crew departed Cowboy Corner and navigated to the intersection of Cow Dung Road and Galileo Road, arriving at 10:33. They conducted the second soil sample collection at this location. By 10:42, the collection was complete, and the crew resumed their journey toward Pooh’s Corner.

At 10:57, the team completed the third and final sample collection at Pooh’s Corner. They then began the return to the habitat.

The rovers arrived at the base at 11:04. The crew initiated the 5-minute repressurization process of the airlock, concluding the EVA.

Destination: Cowboy corner (4253000N, 518500W)

Coordinates (UTM WGS 84): 4253000N, 518500W

First stop : 4253000N, 518500W

Second stop : 4252250N, 519000W

Third stop : 4251250N, 519000W

Participants: Batoul Tani (Journalist), Odile Hilgers (HSO) and Béatrice Hollander (Commander)

Road(s) and routes per MDRS Map: MoonWalk Road, Cow Dung Road 01110

Mode of travel: Driving and walking