2022-2023 Field Season (#22)

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 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 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