This was the second of a pair of rover excursions coordinated by Graham Mann, the other being EVA 51. The EVA consisted of an identical rover crew (Nancy Wood, Stan Piechocinski, and Jon Clarke) and the same chase crew of human factors researchers (Graham Mann, Jennifer Laing, and Matt Bamsey, minus Steve Jordan). The same sites were visited and the same questionnaires were filled out. The primary difference was the use of the Everest Rover on EVA 53 compared with the Ares during EVA 51.

The biological goals were primarily to photograph the sites visited the previous day and to retrieve the biological samples. The geological goals were to likewise document the landscape and to assist the biologist.

The first problem experienced was where the protective guard of the grey water tank under the rear overhand was damaged in a wash crossing. The Ares by contrast coped with the same crossing without incident. Interestingly, the rover crew was unaware of the incident until informed of the problem by the chase crew. By contrast, during EVA 28 a similar tail dragging incident was immediately detected by the rover crew.

Otherwise the mission proceeded as planned until the end of the second site. While retrieving and stowing the lander at the rear of the Everest, the hooked end of an elastic bungee cord flew back and smashed a hole in the faceplate of a MDRS suit. After ascertaining that the person (Jon Clarke) was uninjured, the rover crew decided to continue with the simulation and to incorporate the accident into it. There was an emergency repressurisation completed within 150 seconds of the accident. With only two MDRS suits operational Nancy and Stan carried out another EVA to stow the lander using a dive belt as an alternative securing device. This provided very successful and was superior to the bungee cord. Jon assumed duties as rover pilot and EVA supervisor. The crew was able to retrieve the samplers at site 3 because they were adjacent to the rover and we felt that retiving this EVA procedure was comparable to two person EVAs without a third person backup carried out on Mir or the ISS.

On returning to the hab Nancy exited the rover and retrieved a new helmet which had been placed in the airlock. After repressurisation and transfer to the rover the whole crew was able to egress the Everest and return to the hab.

In additional to valuable operation lessons for Mars analogue research, the prime less on was that bungee cores should not be used under any circumstances. Without a helmet Jon would have probably suffered serious eye injury.