Brief Summary: Two EVAs were performed today
1. EVA-3: Investigation of the fossil field
2. EVA-4: ATV exploration of Chluda Pass, northern Schiaperelli, & Brahe Hwy

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EVA-3 Report:

Purpose: Investigation of the fossil field at Lithe Canyon; determine true end of Lowell Highway Participants: Alyssa Rzeszutko, Steve Featherstone

Duration: 0836-1305 (4hr29) Weather: 22C, light wind, later stinging gusts on toward 12:00 (gorgeous) Maximum distance from Hab: 9 km Route: From Hab to terminus of Lowell Highway. From terminus of Lowell Highway to Lithe Canyon. From Lithe Canyon to Hab via Brahe Highway, with unintentional detour to the east of Lowell Highway in the vicinity of the location named "Bin Laden's Cave" indicated on the Hab's USGS topographic quad map. Description: Intention was to first find terminus of Lowell Highway, as its depiction on the map does not match observations made on April 13 during pressurized rover test conducted by crewmembers Drayer and Featherstone. It was determined that the highway does not end at the southeasterly edge of the ridge, but rather on an overlook of the Muddy Creek canyon (N4257178 E0520367 NAD-27 Datum), from which it's possible to see a bend in the creek. Also, there is a state marker indicating "Dead End." After determining where Lowell Highway ended, we continued southwest around the ridge toward Lithe Canyon to investigate fossil remains reported by earlier crews, and to search for a rock specimen requested by Commander Frederick showing evidence of "desert varnish."

In Lithe Canyon we dismounted the rovers and proceeded on foot into Lithe Canyon (a steep, rocky and dry streambed with water tanks) to collect requested samples, which were found at N4255838 E0518229. After remounting rovers, EVA team headed southeast toward Lowell Highway, but didn't get very far as crewmember Rzeszutko's rover malfunctioned. EVA team spent over an hour trying to restart it (see engineering report 4/16 for more detail), which required crewmember Featherstone to sacrifice his life by taking off his helmet and oxygen tank in order to better assess the rover's mechanical condition. After much effort, the rover was restarted and crewmember Featherstone's corpse was taken back to the Hab, where it was revived.

Lessons Learned: Always bring a camera, even if it means leaving the Hab's airlock to retrieve one after fifteen minutes of tedious pressurization. It's not always possible to collect as many samples as one would like, thus the importance of a camera. For the same reason, carry extra sample bags/containers of the "zip" or lid variety, as fumbling with the built-in gasket on "sealable" plastic bags while wearing space suit gloves is very difficult and wastes valuable exploration time on site. Try to keep all EVA activities on foot to early morning/late afternoon hours, as it's often difficult to see through helmet glare while examining samples while the sun is directly overhead.

Regarding the rover malfunction, it was necessary for Featherstone to remove his helmet for a number of reasons. Initially, he tried restarting the rover with the starter button, which required little exertion but had no effect. Furthermore, there was concern that using the starter would drain the rover's battery (the rover's starter did, in fact, turn more slowly with each failed ignition sequence).

Next, Featherstone tried "jump starting" the rover by first towing it with the other rover to a flat stretch of terrain. Featherstone pushed the rover and when it reached a suitable speed, Rzeszutko was supposed to start it by hitting the starter button and then shifting gears from neutral to high. This procedure should only be used as last resort, as the rovers operate via automatic clutch and the transmission could be damaged. In any case, Rzeszutko couldn't get the rover's gears to mesh despite Featherstone's admonition to just "ram it in there."

After ten minutes of high exertion, Featherstone became quite hot and sweat ran freely into his eyes, making it difficult to see. It was around 11:30. Next, the EVA team tried starting the rover manually with the rip-cord. Featherstone spent forty-five minutes pulling the cord, a process made all the more difficult by his helmet, which prevented him from bending over far enough-it bumped into the seat cushion-to yank the cord using his body's weight. Therefore, Featherstone had to yank the cord using only his shoulders, which required much more energy, thus causing him to heat up even more. At this point heat exhaustion/heat stroke became a real possibility, and with only one rover working, Featherstone decided that removing his helmet was a better idea than passing out.

It should be noted that the EVA team was able to start the rover three times. That is, the rover's engine started and Featherstone was able to quickly jump aboard and drive it around to clear the carburetor. However, when he stopped to gather his equipment and confer with Rzeszutko about how they should conduct the remainder of their EVA, the rover quit and the ignition process had to be started all over again.

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EVA-4 Report:

Purpose: ATV exploration of Chluda Pass, northern Schiaparelli, and Brahe Highway

Participants: Greg Michael, Kathleen Johnson

Duration: 1545-1900 (3hr15)

Weather: Clear skies, later cloudy; no wind

Maximum distance from Hab: 4 km

Route: From the topo map we prepared 6 waypoints: the intesection of Lowell Highway with Chluda Pass (J1), Chluda Pass with Schiaparelli (J2), Schiaparelli with Brahe Highway (J3), and Brahe Highway back with Lowell (J4). If time allowed, we planned to insert the triangle Ptolemy-Copernicus-Brahe Highway West from the J2 point.

Waypoints: (NAD27)
J1: E518600 N4253700 - Junction Lowell & Chluda Pass
J2: E516790 N4253270 - Juntion of Chluda Pass & Shapparelli Hwy
J3: E517125 N4254550 - Junction Shapparelli & Brahe Hwys
J4: E518725 N4254650 - Junction of Lowell & Brahe Hwy
J5: E516400 N4255120 - Junction of Ptolemy & D. Pass
J6: E516100 N4254350 - Junction of Brahe & D. Pass

Description: We travelled up Lowell Highway to find the turnoff into Chluda Pass. According to the GPS, it should have been 400m east off the road from where we eventually found it. The pass is a meandering stream bed, sometimes cutting laterally into the rock leaving overhanging outcrops. About 700m from Schiaparelli, the pass narrowed so much, that we were concerned that the ATVs could not pass. I climbed on foot to a nearby peak to see if the going would become easier - since other crews have marked it, it had to be passable. It did appear to open out again about 100m further down, so we decided to push through, one at a time. Tackling a particularly large rock obstructing the path, the ATV sprang forward, and threw me off to one side. Fortunately unhurt, I continued to the open section, and Kathleen came though afterwards, taking the rock still more cautiously.

Arriving at Schiaparelli, we turned north, and drove out along the track over the bentonite hills - this is an exceptionally alien and beautiful part of the landscape, the soft grey slopes almost lunar. We soon came to the turn for Brahe, and after the excitement of Chluda Pass decided to take the cautious option and skip the extended route. Brahe Highway is different again, the grey changing for white, the hillocks for longer gentle inclines.

Returned along the now-familiar Lowell Highway, coming into range of HabCom from about 1 km distance.

Lessons Learned: We were pleased with the new large PTT buttons delivered on Tuesday - they made communication much easier than it was previously. Chluda Pass can be passed, but it's quite a difficult route - be very cautious in the narrow section!