Project: Radio Ridge sampling and regolith landform mapping

Personnel: Ryan L. Kobrick (Commander), Kim Binsted (Scientist), Simon Auclair (Scientist), Matt Bamsey (Out-of-sim), James Harris(Out-of-sim), Pixel O'Neill (Out-of-sim)

Operations/Data Collected: Sampling: took 4 samples of gypsum into a silty wash out plain with some coarse mineral/rock debris, directly into a shallow channel sloping gently to the north-west. Secondary recent gypsum is noticed on the surface of ground all around. Samples gathered at Wpt 517387 4251273 within a 10 meter range.

Samples 1, 2, 3 and 4 are light grey gypsum crystals/slates similar in shape (1-4cm2) picked up in unconsolidated silt. No varnish noticed although these are good samples for biological purposes so that's why we sampled a total of 4. Data from the portable weather station indicated a wind speed (from the east) on site of 2.0m/s, air temperature of 7.4°C and humidity of 28%. The handheld laser thermometer gave a soil temperature reading of 17°C on the surface and 9°C into the soil (10cm deep).

Technical/Equipment Issues: We practiced removal of space suits in emergencies (polar bear encounter) and it helped us figure out to keep our GPS on us, not on the suit, in case we have to leave the suit on site. This way, we wouldn't lose valuable coordinates later. We practiced setting up sensors in the ground and using the handheld weather station. It is easy to carry the geological hammer on a belt.

Discussion/Next Step: Sampling bags were left opened beforehand making it easier to sample more in less time. With a team of 3 the workload is much lower for each of us and we can help deploy sensor network, take weather and temperature measurements and samples all at once. We can cover more terrain and increase our chances of findings. Regolith was uniform in the area, but one would take more coordinate locations and descriptions upon need when traversing and the terrain changes. Gypsum has been found and sampled so that the biology work continues; all samples looked promising for microbial growth.

Questions for RST: About the network of sensors used to monitor temperature and humidity: Is it preferable to attach a cord and an anchor to them so that when snow melts the sensors don't wash out and disappear? Or would you suggest another method?