Work

One facet of the science work around here is "extra-vehicular activity". This is an Apollo era term for anytime astronauts are working outside the spacecraft. Some argue that "surface excursion" is a better term to use for exploring Mars since the hab is no longer a spacecraft per se, but more of a permanent structure and not a vehicle any more. I don't really fall to either side of the argument, but just call it EVA 'cause I always have.

EVA is not strictly in my job description on this trip, but it is our goal to do science in a Mars analogue way. That means that I do get to go outside in a spacesuit from time to time when someone else is not feeling well, the server is just too stable, or other needs arise. Here are some of those photos, as promised; some more of me in my usual role on EVA as safety dude, and other miscellaneous stuff:

Drilling out the core samples

Working the little drill in the field

Sterilizing the core bit

Oh, look a Martian


The remains of a musk ox in the distance



My usual pose on EVA



Since I'm usually taking the photos, this is a lot of what you see of me in most of the photos



Trinity Lake
(named by someone else for that school I went to a few years back...)



Habconditioning
(It is hot in the Arctic this summer,
Al G. might just be right with his Global Climate Change thing?)