The Ares rover en-route to Factory Butte - first overnight rover EVA

Introduction: On the night of the 24th-25th February 2003 I carried out an overnight excursion with Fathi Karouia from the MDRS hab in the Ares Rover. Chad Rowland and Jennifer Laing followed in a chase vehicle. The following comments are based on that experience against some 20 years of field work using off-road vehicles and more limited experience with camper vans. I have allowed for the nature of the adapted vehicle and the fact that Ares is a work in progress rather than a finished product. The purpose of the excursion was to evaluate the behaviour of the rover and its habitability under field conditions

The Route: The excursion encompassed EVA 38 on the afternoon of the 24th and EVA 30 on the morning of the 25th. We drove down to the main road and then up the graveled and metalled Factory Butte road. On the way we detoured along the road to the old coal mine and up the side track along Coal Mine Wash almost as far as Cainville Reef. We also drove along the track from Coal Mine Wash to Goblin Valley until we reached a sign that said that further travel was prohibited. These tracks were graded but rough. Jennifer Laing videoed the vehicle crossing some rougher parts of the track and also carried out video interviews of the four people in the party inside the rover.

Legal/Safety Issues: The passenger seat does not have a seat belt. While not critical off the sealed road, this is a major concerned on the main roads. There is also no spare tire, if the vehicle gets a puncture, not an unlikely event on a dirt road with sharp rocks, it will stay there. There is a lack of storage that would keep equipment inside the vehicle secure in the event of an accident. In the event of the vehicle becoming bogged, there is no recovery gear either with the Ares or with the other vehicles. Finally, the vehicle also has only temporary registration for Ontario which expires today (25th). This must be resolved before the vehicle can be used on long duration excursions on the main roads.

Handling: I was pleasantly surprised at how well the vehicle handled, apart from the soft brakes. Even narrow, rocky, twisting and poorly graded roads it was easy to drive. I would not take it off the road, except to park or turn round, would have to be under taken with great care, given the single powered axle, lack of spare tire, and no recovery gear in any of the vehicles capable of pulling a vehicle of such size and weight out of sand or mud. I drove it through several dry creeks and gullies and only once did the long rear overhand touch, causing minor damage. Again, sticking to graded, though not necessarily smooth, tracks will minimize this problem.

Habitability: The Ares at present is marginally habitable. There is working power, water, and sewerage, and the insulation is adequate. The heater is good, and running the engine with the heater on while working at night is most satisfactory. The biggest problem is the inability to heat water or food. One can live on cold MREs, but after last night this is not an experience I would recommend. The easiest way round this problem, should the Ares be used for an extended excursion during Expedition One, would be to bring, borrow, or buy a small camping gas stove with appropriate cook ware. A considerable clean of the interior to remove tools and rubbish would be desirable before an extended excursion. The single bunk is currently too short. At 173 cm, I could not stretch to my full length. A taller person could sleep on the floor.

Simulation Fidelity: The Ares cannot serve as an analogue pressurized rover at present owing to the absence of an internal airlock door and the inability to secure open the rear (external airlock) door from the inside. The step from the door to the ground is long, even for a normal person. It would be an effort in a MarsSkin and near impossible in a classic analogue pressure suit.

Recommendations: I list the following recommendations that should be implemented immediately. For legal and safety issues:

1. Register the vehicle
2. Fit seat belts for the passengers seat
3. Obtain a spare tire and appropriate tools and jack
4. Clean the vehicle and stow tools etc. currently loose in the interior
5. A chase vehicle should always accompany the Ares until 3 is implemented.

For habitability issues:

1. clean and tidy the interior
2. Arrange a camping gas stove with cooking pots.

For simulation fidelity:

1. Arrange a shower curtain for an inner airlock door.
2. Fit an interior latch for the outer airlock door.

Conclusions: I regret if the above appears negative. I believe that Ares is an immense achievement and a credit to the hard work that has gone into making it possible. With implementation of the above recommendations it will be a very useful vehicle capable of extended excursions (several days) for two people away from the hab. With even further modifications (such as completing the interior and installing laboratory equipment) it will be even better.