I conducted EVA-18 solo around the Hab, always within sight and radio contact of the crew. 2 of the engineering team were working in the pressurized hanger on ATV maintenance while I trapsed around the coutryside. The purpose of this EVA was to collect soil samples around the Hab for a forward contamination study. I used the Mars Skin suit to work in and found it an improvement over MDRS suits, the main difference being the gloves. I had a lot of trouble none the less, keeping track of sample bags, container tops, sterile scoops etc. in the high wind until I got a process figured out using the tools available to me.

I think there are major improvements that can be made to both suits to support field work particularly in ventilation, tools and tool belts, sample containers, and note taking. I didn't travel more than ~400m from the Hab for the first round of samples, collecting from close to the Hab and Green hab, the Antarctic Pile, and the parking lots! (at least where I've seen cars parked). Tomorrow, if the weather holds, I'll finish the sampling by collection samples further from the Hab, near and away from tracks, collect the remaining endolith samples and participating in the final CRV EVA which will be its first field science mission.

I also had high-quality communication with the RST today and throughout the mission, resolving the minor mystery of the composition and source of the volcanic rocks I'd seen perched on outcrops and in the washes we've hiked. The intrusive is likely diorite from the Henry Mountains and the extrusive is basalt, likely from the Aquarius Plateau. I found the support of the RST both enjoyable and necessary to fully understand observations I was making in the field. Procedures, insights and suggestions from the RST were efficient, to the point and easily executed. Hat's off to the RST (read Shannon Rupert)!