MARS DESERT RESEARCH STATION

MDRS is a project of:

EVA Report – March 22nd

EVA #7

Crew members:  Jedrzej Gorski (EVA leader), Karolina Zawieska, Krzysztof Jędrzejak (EVA buddies)

Location: Maxwell Montes

Vehicles : Rover Deimos and ATV #2 and #3
Time : Departure at 9:30 and back at 12:30 hrs

Duration : 3 hours

Purposes:
•  Testing of black space suit and recording of promotion materials
•  Desert exploration of area which is unknown for us

Summary:

On our way to Maxwell Montes we had occasion to record video documentation related to our black suit testing procedure. We also collected significant amount of good pictures and important feedback for our black suit designers. Due to condition of roads which leads to our destination we had very good occasion to increase our quad driving skills. Set of selected pictures (our favourites) are attached to this report.

EVA Report – March 22nd

EVA #5

Crew members:  Jedrzej Gorski (EVA leader), Natalia Zalewska, Krzysztof Jędrzejak (EVA buddies)

Location: Lower Blue Hills

Vehicles : Rover Deimos and ATV #2 and #3
Time : Departure at 9:30 pm and back at 12:30 pm

Duration : 3 hours

Purposes:
•  Testing of black space suit
•  Exploration of unknown areas of a desert including bottom of skyline Rim

Summary:

On our way to edge of Lower Blue Hills we had occasion to explore white and Yellow Moon, as well as bottom of Skyline Rim near the end of Sagan Street. Our team collect significant amount of good pictures for our project documentation. We also gain important feedback for our black suit designers. Set of selected pictures (our favourites) are attached to this report.

 

EVA Report – March 18th

EVA #3

Crew members (3) : Jedrzej Gorski (EVA leader), Karolina Zawieska, Michal Kazaniecki (EVA buddies)

Location: Lith Canyon

Vehicles : Rover Deimos and ATV #2 and #3
Time : Departure at 8:50 pm and back at 11:30 pm

Duration : 2 hours 50 min

Purposes:

  • Testing of black space suit with prototype of a gas mask supported with Gaia Rover
  • Preliminary studies related to human-robot collaboration

Summary:
During our third EVA we had occasion to explore Lith Canyon in a purpose of testing how our Gaia Rover interact with selected crew members. Interaction was well documented by our crew. We have also tested gas mask prototype received from our partner and refuel ATV’s. We set of collected pictures are attached to Scientific Report.

EVA Report – March 2nd

EVA #17

Crew members (3) : Xavier Rixhon (EVA leader), Mouâdh Bouayad and Arthur Lillo (EVA buddies)

Location: Hab surroundings and South of the Hab (12N 518500, 4250000)

Vehicules : Rover Deimos and ATV 350 #3
Time : departure at 09:00 am and back at 10:02 am

Duration : 1 hour

Purposes:
• Understanding why the balloon flew away shortly after EVA#16
• Searching for balloon crash site and potentially retrieving the platform with the equipment
• Unburying the seismometer from its working place and bringing it back to the Hab
• Even if we take the radio switched ON with us, as soon as the engineering check is completed, we’ll try to complete all these tasks staying silent and using hands motion inspired by scuba diving
• Using AR glasses to record the different data collected during the EVA Engineering Check


Summary:

Before getting through the EVA summary itself, I’d like to say I’m pretty proud of my team. Indeed, we got into the main airlock, to start the depressurisation, right on time : 9:00 am sharp.
As explained in the EVA request, this EVA was one of the kind. As soon as we exited the main airlock after depressurisation, as the current leader, I indicated to my two fellow EVA buddies that the microphone of the radios were down. This marked the starting point of the “radios down” simulation. All along this one hour EVA, no word will have been said. The only way to make us understood by the others will have had to be hands gestures, mainly inspired by scuba diving. As expected, patience and calm would have been the key words of this EVA.
In a safety concern (we never left one man alone behind), we stayed together during the traditional pre-EVA engineering check. Guided by Victoria giving her instructions through the radio earpieces, we went around the Hab to collect the relevant data. As we couldn’t forward them straight away to Victoria, Arthur, wearing the AR glasses, used the voice recording functionality to record the different values and save them in sound files. Meanwhile, inside the Hab, Louis Maller was downloading these files on his personal computer to give the information to Victoria afterwards. Eventually, she could fill in the Engineering Checklist table (for Operations Report purposes). Furthermore, Louis tested the screen shot functionality. For instance, he screen shot what Arthur was seeing during the static tank water level check. This operation was a great success since the engineering check has never attempted this way. On one hand, we didn’t take that much time to complete the check. On the other hand, we took the opportunity to test the AR glasses as never before.
Once we were done with the engineering check, we headed to the site where the balloon had been attached yesterday before flying away. We found the stone anchor built up by EVA#16 team and the loose rope which was keeping the balloon on site. From the anchor, the rope headed South where the balloon maybe flew away. After understanding this, we walked around the anchor site though, hoping to find a torn apart balloon lying on the ground. Unfortunately, after few minutes, we figured out that our little friend was gone once and for all.
Back to the Hab, I gave the leadership to Arthur before he drove the ATV ahead of Mouâdh and I on the Rover Deimos. We headed to the seismometer site (South of the Hab). Once we got there, Arthur gave the leadership to Mouâdh who had already briefed us how to proceed to retrieve the seismometer : Arthur pulled up the battery and I took care of the seismometer while Mouâdh was unplugging the different wires and packing them up in the box with the acquisition system. Then, we put the equipment back in the rover before filling the hole which had been dug at Sol 5. After this task being completed, Mouâdh gave me the leadership back for the ride to the Hab. To end this EVA as it had started, we listened carefully to the final check instructions given by Victoria.
This short EVA was great : not only because we performed the task as expected but mainly because the messages between EVA participants was clear and efficient enough to make us spend only one hour outside to do everything. The rotating leadership worked perfectly and everyone took his role seriously. We came up with creative gestures so no doubts would remain in our communications.
In conclusion, despite the bulky life support system, the fog on the helmet glass and procedure (quite simple though) to follow, we managed to reach our objectives without speaking up at all. In other words, this means that a real radio failure doesn’t specially jeopardise an entire EVA if the participants are well prepared and briefed.

EVA Report – March 1st

EVA Report

EVA#16

Crew members: Mouâdh Bouayad (EVA leader), Arthur Lillo, Louis Maller and Simon Bouriat (EVA buddies)

Habcom : Xavier Rixhon

Departure time:  9:15 AM

Return time: 10:58 AM

Vehicules: None

Location: Around the Hab

Purposes:

  • Tests of the AR glasses
  • Deployment of the solar balloon

Summary:

We did the engineering check; it was quite short as we didn’t take any vehicles. We moreover checked the propane tank today.

After that, we headed North, about 100 meters from the Hab to deploy the solar balloon. On our way to the deployment site, Louis Maller was testing the AR glasses’ range with Victoria, through the radio. It took about 45 minutes to prepare, inflate and deploy the balloon.

We then got a little bit closer to the Hab in order for Louis to do some more tests with the glasses. At 10:15, we went at the top of the hill behind the Hab, and enjoyed the wonderful view.

After Louis took some pictures, we went back to the Hab, and entered the main airlock at 10:55.

EVA Report – February 28th

EVA #15

Crew members (3) : Xavier Rixhon (EVA leader), Simon Bouriat and Louis Mangin (EVA buddies)

Location: Hab surroundings

Vehicules : None
Time: departure at 1.53pm and back at 2.35pm

Duration : 42 minutes

Purposes:
• Collecting data (water, propane and diesel levels) for engineering reports purpose
• Taking the key from the red ATV and checking other keys were correctly labeled
• Taking the last shots for illustrating our report about emergency procedures and safety  gestures
Summary :
We started with the traditional engineering check (which was the main goal of this short EVA). It was also the chance for me to show other crew members where the propane tank was, next to Shannon’s trailer. Usually, as she’s there, we never go checking it to limit the visual contact with other sources of human life.
After completing the engineering check, we verified the vehicle keys taken off the ATVs and Rovers yesterday were correctly labeled. We also took the key of the Red ATV to secure all the vehicles since the “Deimos incident” 3 days ago. By the way, by now, we never had a look at the Red ATV as we’ve been told it wasn’t working. When we took off the key from it, the key was turned on (on “I” and not on “0”). I have no idea about the issue making this ATV unusable but the battery is probably dead down by now.
We ended this EVA taking the last shots necessary to illustrate our emergency procedures and safety gestures report.

EVA Report – February 27th

EVA #14

Crew members (4): Arthur Lillo (EVA leader), Mouâdh Bouayad, Louis
Maller, Brian Cox (EVA buddies)

Location:
•       South of the Hab at the seismometer burial (12N 518500, 4250000)
•       The Moon area (12N 516500, 4254500)
Vehicles used: Deimos rover, 2*350 ATV

Departure time:  10:10 AM
Return time: 12:52 PM
Duration: 2 hours 42 minutes

Purpose:
Recover the data from the seismometer on a USB key, use the Optinvent
glasses to transmit an image of the engineering check to the Hab,
explore the Moon area with our guest Brian Cox, and use the sextant to
determine our position.

Summary:
We entered the airlock later than planned because the documentary team
came at 9 AM, and we did all the briefings before the EVA. We did a 10
minutes engineering check, then headed South with the rover and the
ATVs until we reached the seismometer’s burial. The wind was terrific,
at some points it was difficult to stand up. We lost our map while we
were driving. The plates covering the seismometer were still in place,
we successfully recovered the data on a USB key. We also did an angle
measurement with the sextant, in order to compare our estimated
position with the one determined before with other reference points.
After that, we took the vehicles to go to Tank Wash, for an interview
with Brian and another sextant measurement on top of a hill. Finally,
we went to the Beige/Grey Moon area and filmed another interview. When
we went home, the wind stood strong all the way to the Hab and forced
us to drive quite slowly.

EVA Report – February 26th

EVA #13

Crew members (5) : Xavier Rixhon (EVA leader), Simon Bouriat, Arthur Lillo, Louis Maller and Mouâdh Bouayad (EVA buddies)

Location: Hab surroundings

Vehicules : Deimos
Time: departure at 1.30pm and back at 4.30pm

Duration : 2 hours

Purposes:
• Test of emergency protocoles and safety gestures in case of one EVA member would faint or break a bone. We’ll stay in front of the Hab because there’s no need to move to another place and we might even simulate emergency calls to the HabCom.


Summary:

Today EVA was dedicated to emergency procedures. This session aimed to develop the safety moves and protocoles in case one EVA participant passes out, needs to be put in recovery position and eventually, brought back to the Hab for further treatments in a pressurised and clean environment. As HabCom, Victoria took notes after each exercice. That way, with Simon (HSO), we’ll be able to debrief and set a summary of all these procedures.
After a short briefing given by Simon and I to our three buddies on the lower deck, we started the exercices before the Hab :
• Bring the victim to the sitting position : Since our backpacks are rectangular, the sitting position is very stable and relaxing for the victim. This is why we tested to sit the victim with 1, 2 then 3 people to help him out.
• Bring the victim to the recovery position : Once the unconscious victim has been sat, the biggest risks are to worsen his case (i.e. choke by throwing up or swelling his tongue). This is why it’s crucial to put the him in the recovery position.
• Bring the victim on his back : Some situations of fainting attacks force to put the victim on his back and lift his legs. Since the sitting position was very stable, it was that easy to do it. We then tried many ways to do it and ended up with the most efficient, less exhausting procedures.
• Accompany the victim to the passenger seat of the Rover : In case of a break somewhere on the upper body, the victim can still walk but needs help to get in the Rover. Since the opening is quite wide, it was very easy to help him out.
• Carry the victim on the rear of the Rover : In case the victim cannot be sat during the transport to the Hab, he has to stay laid (in recovery position) on the rear of the Rover. After trying it with ropes which was very unhandy, we made it very successfully and put the victim in comfortable and safe position. We even drove a bit to be sure it was stable.
Beyond all, the communication between the EVA participants and with HabCom was very efficient and led to a constructive and full of learnings EVA.

EVA Report – February 25th

EVA Report 25/02/2017
EVA#12
Crew members: Simon Bouriat (EVA leader), Louis Maller, Arthur Lillo and
Mouadh Bouayad (EVA buddies)
Location:
•       Around the Hab
•       North of the Hab (12N 518750, 4252750) if time remaining.
Vehicles used:          Deimos, 2×350 ATV
Departure time:         9:05 AM
Return time:            12:15 PM
Duration:               3 hours

Summary:
One of the best EVAs I did since the beginning.
We first experimented with the solar balloon. It actually worked pretty
well despite the variable wind. We succeeded in shooting videos with the
GoPro from inside the balloon’s platform and we also put the Arduino
system to get the temperature and pressure variations. Everything went
well but because of the large ups and downs of the balloon we stayed for
almost an hour and a half to be sure that it wouldn’t break.
After that, we took Deimos and two ATVs and went to the North. We
finally reached beige moon, grey moon and then yellow moon and took
amazing pictures. Our commander tried to locate us with the sextant but
the map he printed wasn’t precise enough to get the three landmarks
needed. And unfortunately, the glasses went unexpected out of range
shortly after the beginning of the EVA. But we observed that the battery
kept them working during the entire 3 hours so we will take them again
on a next EVA.

EVA Report – February 24th

EVA #11

Crew members (4) : Xavier Rixhon (EVA leader), Louis XO, Louis Journalist and Simon HSO (EVA buddies)

Location: Hab surroundings, North of the Hab to do PR (at Tank Wash : 518500, 4253500)

Vehicules : 1 rover (Deimos), 2 ATV (350 #3 and 300)
Time: departure at 09:00 a.m and back at 12:00pm

Duration : 3 hours

Purposes:
• Deploying the balloon at the acceptable location near the hab, found during EVA #9
• Since this place is absolutely stunning, tank Wash exploration, shooting of other “official photos” (with our official photographer-journalist this time)
• AR glasses testing : battery autonomy, potential mobile app (if available) testing

Summary:

Unfortunately, we started the EVA 15 minutes, the classic “quart d’heure toulousain”, late because of last minute balloon preparation. The EVA commenced with the traditional engineering check (see Operations Report for details). After this super fast pre-EVA engineering check, we headed to the location near the hab to deploy the balloon. As soon as we tried to open it, we understood we couldn’t make it because of the strong wind and gusts. It was that strong that the balloon tore apart and had to be fixed up in the afternoon. After putting it back in the engineering airlock, we took Deimos and instead of taking two 350, we trie the ATV 300 for the very first time and the 350 #3. We started a long drive to the North. Louis, the Journalist, took amazing panoramic shots on the hills of Tank Wash. As we still had heaps of time, we went on North and ended up in the middle of a lunar landscape, next to “The Moon”. It was particularly exceptional to pass from Mars to the Moon in only few yards. I decided to head to back to the Hab around 11:15, considering the ride back duration and the post-EVA engineering check. This time, pumping up the tires was away more efficient. As accurate as a Swiss watch, we entered the main airlock at 11:56 and, after 3-minute pressurisation, join our crew mates at 11:59 in the Hab.