EVA-10 Report
Jamon Neilson Reporting

Duration: 1:35 to 4:45 (3 hour, 10 minutes)

Participants: Jamon Neilson, Reece Lumsden

Route:

Hab to Way Point 116, 12 S 0519084 UTM 4252186

(Intersection Lowell Hwy and Cactus Rd)
Way Point 117, 12 S 0518464 UTM 4253597

(Intersection Lowell Hwy and Chuda's Pass)
Way Point 118, 12 S 0517733 UTM 4254868

(Intersection Lowell Hwy and Brahe Hwy)
Way Point 119, 12 S 0517033 UTM 4254782

(Intersection Brahe Hwy and Schriaparelli)
Way Point 120, 12 S 0516876 UTM 4254729

(Intersection Brahe Hwy and Ptolemy)
Way Point 121, 12 S 0516901 UTM 4255461(Sarlac Pits)
Way Point 122, 12 S 0517875 UTM 4256660 (Hidden falls)

Equipment: Camera, Maps, Rock Hammer

Objective: We used the GPS to mark navigation points at road intersections to improve our navigations techniques. We discovered that the GPS is not entirely accurate; it seems to read off by about 100 ft. After mapping out the roads that we'll be using for the next couple of days we then decided to go to waypoint 13. The description from the waypoint database describes some dinosaur bones that we could look at. It seemed like a pretty good location to visit and improve our practice of using the GPS receiver. However the GPS receiver only gives us its location, it doesn't tell us the best route together, so after a couple detours we finally made it to the valley that we thought it was is, but our progress was impeded by the terrain. We did find some interesting landmarks. At Way Point 121 we found what we thought were water aquifers. From the water marks left behind from the rain we could see a place where the water disappeared into the ground only to later reappear at the bottom of a small gully. Later on we found the remains of a waterfall. Over all we failed to find our destination, but found other interesting landmarks.

Weather: Clear skies, a few clouds, slightly windy

Maximum distance traveled from Hab: 5.22 km

Lessoned Learned:

1. Reviewed previous mission EVAs
2. EVA mission planning
3. Endurance hike in suits
4. Marking our first waypoint
5. Naming location

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EVA-11 Report
Susmita Mohamty Reporting

Duration: 11.30 am - 2.00 pm

Destination: White Rock Reservoir

Objective: To collect water samples from the White Rock Reservoir for testing and determining the pH, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia and salinity

EVA Description: Susmita Mohanty and Heather Hava of MDRS 26 went on an early afternoon sortie. It was an all female EVA team. The duo used the hybrid approach to travel to the site. The two participating crew members rode to the site on a single ATV (both approx. 5-10 percentile females i.e. small in stature, and could therefore fit comfortably on one ATV). The pillion rider (Susmita) was completely suited (suit, backpack, helmet, gloves et al), the driver (Heather) was partially suited (everything minus the backpack and helmet) because given the size of the ATV seat only one could afford to have the backpack on. It was for the first time that the MDRS crew members experimented with transporting a spacesuit gear (backpack + helmet) on the ATV cargo rack using bungee cords, backpack waist-chest-straps, fan cords that go from the backpack to the helmet, and the clips that attach the helmet to the neck ring on the backpack. It all worked out very well.

The EVA lasted 2.5 hours and the temperature outside was 96 F (very hot and dry). The duo reached the EVA site in about 20 minutes, parked the ATV off the ATV trail (dirt road), Susmita helped Heather finish donning the rest of the elements of her space suit (backpack and helmet). The two of them then un-bungeed their EVA basket, rock pick-up tool, camera and headed off to the riverbed (after some initial photo shoots) leading into the Reservoir. The hike on the riverbed was rather interesting.

The EVA team spotted a mix of footprints, pugmarks, hoof prints, tyremarks, and birdfeed-marks -- some of these were near small muddy water puddles tucked away in the shade of rocks (that was the only water that was to be found at this time of the year -- early summer). The riverbed was mostly dry with a few shrubs, bushes, cacti and a couple of small trees. The hike on the river bed lasted nearly 1.5 hours. The crew did extensive photography of the site and their explorations. They collected mud and water samples, checked the water temperature and collected rocks before heading back to the ATV, and then to the Hab.

Towards the end of the EVA, Susmita's suit-fan battery died. This system malfunction forced Susmita to remove the helmet on the drive back. The ATV handle was misaligned forcing Heather to drive with a twisted handle bar all the time -- this resulted in hand and forearm fatigue.

Lessons Learned:

1. The all female EVA went smoothly
2. Transporting 2 crewmembers, one partially suited, the other fully suited -- using 1 ATV, to the EVA destination site can be done using creative cargo restraint mechanisms
3. Using the hybrid approach (= ATV + on-foot exploration) works out pretty well; it helps crew members conserve energy during the transportation which they can then use during the actual exploration
4. Poor transport (Faulty alignment of the ATV handlebar) can cause arm fatigue

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EVA-12 Report
Richard Humphreys/Edwin Loosvelt Reporting

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

Participants: Richard Humphreys, Executive Officer; Edwin Loosvelt, Communications Officer.

Equipment: Camera, Video Camera, sample bags, ATV.

Route: Following "Chudra Pass" along to "Copernicus".

Objectives/work done: Find field of fossils described by John yesterday.

Weather: Extremely windy. Dust storm to South West.

Maximum distance from Hab: 5 miles.

Lessons Learned:

1. Keep an eye out. We were right in the middle of the fossil field before we realized it, and the dust storm was quite big before we saw it.
2. Much harder to find the correct path without GPS.
3. Check ATV's fuel and equipment before beginning journey, previous users do not always refill or restock.
4. Communication with other teams is essential.