EVA-9 Report

Time: 11:36-14:16 (2 hours, 40 minutes)
Participants: Jason Schwier, Daniel Hegeman, Amy Blank

Description: EVA-9 was the third Geological Specimen EVA. The crew followed the directions as outlined by RST and traveled about 3.9 kilometers northwest of the Hab to a cluster of rocky hills at a western intlet of Tank Wash in search of conglomerate samples. We ATVed as far as we could along a well-worn path but had to hike .2 km to the actual site. Daniel set up the camera and took a panoramic photo of the site while Ryan and Amy searched for the appropriate samples. When 3 adequate specimens were located, photos were taken and data such as GPS coordinates, time of day, sample bedding, and slope direction were written down.

We then hiked the .7 km along the Wash towards a slight bend in the wash called Caluda Pass specified by RST. Samples were more difficult to locate and were mostly in the rock walls high above the creek or hidden in nearby plant growths. We collected 3 samples and noted the appropriate data. The crew also took some time to photograph and video tape everyday EVA use, such as trying to climb a steep slope and falling unsuccessfully back down. Hiking the 1 km back proved difficult because some of our tracks were barely noticeable in the harder regolith. In this case, as in every EVA, the crew tries to minimize their impact on the surrounding land to preserve its beauty and leave it untouched by human life. However, we were soon back at the ATV's and staring in amazement at the glory of Factory Butte, a local highpoint with a summit of 6000 ft as compared to the Hab's 4500 ft. The crew would like to travel to it sometime and we see it as the ultimate challenge. Olympus Mons, here we come!

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EVA 10 Report

Duration: 16:08-18:50 (2 hours, 42 minutes)
Participants: Dennis Creamer, Ryan Kobrick, Kevin Sloan
Equipment: digital camera, sample containers, GPS, ruler, compass, soil corer, thermistor

Weather: Clear with a setting sun
Maximum distance from Hab: 1.43 km

Route:
1. 12S 0518165E 4250931N to 12S 0519589E 4250213N [Gully at base of Phobos Peak]
2. to 12S 0519296E 4250216N [Phobos Peak]
3. to 12S 0518165E 425093N [Hab]

Objectives/Work Done: EVA 10 was the 4th biological specimen collection and involved both photo reconnaissance and soil collection along a straight path between the Hab and Phobos Peak, roughly 1.3 km to the southeast. The crew started off by hiking to a gully at the base, locating a previously entered point from Crew 4 EVA 51, and then circling the peak before ascending it. At the peak, the coordinates from Crew 4's excursion were searched for, but it was determined that those coordinates did not correspond to any point on the mountain, possibly due to the GPS device being improperly calibrated. (This is still being investigated, although presumed unlikely as the point was off by several hundred meters.) The crew then descended the peak, and took 15 samples on the way back to the Hab. On the way back, the crew also came across the famous "mushrooms" that were found by Crew 4. The crew originally planned on visiting other points of interest visited by Crew 4 EVA 51, however this EVA's late start prevented that. More details can be found in the Biological Science Report.

Lessons Learned:

• Knowing your crew and their capacities is important when assigning people to perform a certain EVA. In the case of this PED EVA, the oldest member of the crew and two members who wear knee braces were sent and were very exhausted upon returning. Factors such as this will be considered in the future.
  
  
• All GPS coordinates should be entered into the device before the mission leaves and not in-transit, especially when daylight is a factor and darkness is quickly setting in.
  
  
• Any PED EVAs should have equipped the water bladders so that crews don't become dehydrated. However, the ones currently at the Hab are crusty and undesirable.
  
  
• The suits restricted the crew from climbing the 5 meter boulder on top of the peak.
  
  
• When coming down a large mountain, Kevin suggested sliding down the steepest part of the mountain under control instead of walking down a longer path with clumsy equipment.