MDRS Crew #62
Images shot on Dec 12th, 2007.
Shot with a Nikon D40
(Click on any thumbnail to see a larger 1504x1000 JPEG image)
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The first good news came when Chris and I went out to turn the generator off, the soil was hard and not as muddy as it was yesterday. Which instantaneously means in a MDRS crewmember brain: "Today, EVA!". So after the breakfast and after a strange GPS usage video, we frenetically went downstairs to listen our two veterans explain us how to use the space suits, the helmets and the backpacks. I must admit I was too excited to listen carefully! A few minutes later, everybody was transformed into a Martian explorer.
You may think that being an astronaut is something exceptional, unfortunately, being an astronaut, even on Mars, won't prevent you from taking the trash bags out… So I had to stay in the EVA Airlock for 5 minutes (the procedure expects us to stay in the airlock 5 minutes for gradual decompression before opening the hatch) with Cath, Chris and three wonderful trash bags ready to go out! Once that Jon and Ben joined us outside, and the trash bags stored in the space junk area, our expedition began.
Of course, we first proceeded with the traditional crew pictures. You never know, you might die quickly because of a sudden and unexplained flue and without those precious pictures, your mother would have never known you had been on Mars. It would be sad indeed… Then, we decided to be brave and to hike up to "Radio Ridge". It was not that easy and we may have been a little bit presumptuous, the soil was still a little muddy and we could have seen some nice slipping. Fortunately, under the aegis of our super Commander, nothing can happen to us!
More seriously, we successfully tested the space suits and we practiced sampling and travel techniques. I have been amazed by the realistic impression that I had in wearing the suit. In addition, I was not expecting to have such difficulties moving and working in it.
This afternoon, we came back to our engineering tasks and Catherine to her Halophiles study. The grey water system is now almost operational and using the toilet flush will no longer be an anxious action. Tonight we anticipate viewing the stars again since they were suddenly shrouded yesterday night when we were looking at Mars.
And oh, I almost forgot, I created a new fashion in taking the first shower of the Crew yesterday evening. Since then, even Catherine has dealt with the cold water!
Web Pages by Ben
Photos by Ben Huset
Last revision Dec-12th, 2007
by Ben
Counter started Dec-12th, 2007 -
Comments welcome