EVA-13

EVA-13 and 14 were tasked with the exploration of Coal Mine wash and a second trial of the MarsSkins. EVA-13 took the pressurised rover past Factory Butte, and 14 rode the ATVs via the Hubble Highway. EVA-13 (Kurt and James) wore the MarsSkins, and again found that the ventilation system was not powerful enough, nor did it last long enough. This is a surprising result, as they worked fine in South Australia on Expedition 2. Kurt survived EVA-13 due to the 30 minute reserve life-support system and a quick return to the rover.

The VOX radios were OK for walking around, but the ear-bud style speaker can fall out too easily. For future EVAs, we are considering a hybrid suit: the MDRS backpack and helmet with the MarsSkin suits. Nevertheless, EVA-13 carried a MDRS radio and managed to meet EVA-14 (Georg and Mat) in a "Dr. Livingston, I presume" style encounter in the labyrinth of the Wash.

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EVA-14

Mat and Georg took ATV1 and 2 through Snoshti Canyon, Barsoom Outcrops and then up north along Hubble Highway. EVA-14 then followed a track to the West into the Coal Mine Wash through an amazing landscape. We stopped several times and were stunned by the beautiful landscape, the best seen so far from ATVs. Driving further west we came across the regular road where EVA-14 picked up the radio signals from EVA-13 and followed a dry riverbed until both teams met. EVA-14 managed to get back at 20:00 with 1/4 of fuel left but had taken an additional gasoline canister to be on the safe side.