Date Time: 20:00 01/31/2013
Written By: David Willson, Crew Commander of MDRS123
Today was the first all blue sky day clear of clouds with temperatures reaching approx. 50 degrees F.
Our primary aim today was to investigation of rock coating, collect samples for Curiosity test bed analyses and organic extraction trials and operate in the field the Raman spectrometer on the analog samples in the field.
Checking the strata
The Crew undertook a 4 hour out of sim EVA to the region N38°27’ 30”, E 110° 45’ 45” with the Raman spectrometer expediting our primary aim. We explored the region and gained a dozen spectrographs of Jurassic period rocks, soils, petrified wood and bivalves. Some samples were collected for analysis in the Hab that include using the ocean Optics reflectance spectrometer.
Time | USNG | Elevation (m) | Notes |
10:40AM | 12S WH 18217 55988 | 1371 | Entry to survey valley |
11:07AM | 12S WH 18184 56063 | 1367 | Jurassic samples location 1 |
12:54PM | 12S WH 18166 56099 | 1374 | Left Raman location |
1:33PM | 12S WH 18302 56336 | 1369 | Sand sample |
1:41PM | 12S WH 18324 56394 | 1364 | Jurassic samples location 2 |
1:53PM | 12S WH 18329 56397 | 1370 | Jurassic samples location 3 |
3:22PM | 12S WH 18167 50906 | 1373 | Hab location |
Glowing 123 Crew with Raman spectrometer
Other activity by Melanie and Emma included some work in the Green Hab, another recipe developed from storable food for future Mars explorers, requests for light bulb replacement and the suggestion to add a chemical toilet to the Hab.
Melanie reviving the avocado tree in the GreenHab
Finally Jen documented the samples and spectra collected during the day.
ENDS.