HMP Research Station Update - July 30
I've returned to Resolute Bay to coordinate the preliminary end-of-season logistics and from what I've seen at the station, I'm happy to report that the HMP-2007 field season is going exceedingly well. Five weeks of continuously sunny weather has enabled all of the research teams to remain on schedule, and even get ahead of schedule in some cases. Most impressive however, is the hard work that everyone's been putting in to capitalize on the favourably dry conditions.
We've reached a transition point in the season where much of the work is now behind the various research teams, although the winding down of the K-10 rover experiments, and the ramp-up of the 10km EVA walkback, radiation survey and E/PO fieldwork activities are keeping those in camp more than busy (you can check out the week-by-week schedule at the Mars On Earth homepage). This transition point has also provided some time to update the "Photo of the Day" section of the website, and I encourage you to check it out. The first post, an incredible aerial shot of the Haughton Crater is available here.
Here are some additional photos of the HMP-2007 field season:
The US Air National Guard's MC-130 Hercules being loaded with HMP-2007 gear at the Vancouver International Airport. Photo HMP-2007 / N. Wilkinson
A few of the MC-130's hard-working crew, after loading in Vancouver was complete. Photo HMP-2007 / N. Wilkinson
The Haughton-Mars Project's Kawasaki Mule (stripped down) being airlifted to Devon Island from Resolute Bay. Photo HMP-2007 / N. Wilkinson
The K-10 rover team preparing for remote operations near the HMP RS. The Humvee is being loaded to transport support equipment, and one of the K-10 rovers can be seen just outside the green field operations tent. The Mule (red vehicle behind the rover, rebuilt by crack HMP technician Jesse Weaver) is pulling up to assist with the preparations. Photo HMP-2007 / N. Wilkinson
Lake Orbiter, with polygon terrain in the foreground. The field team is in the upper middle of the image. Photo HMP-2007 / C. McKay
Field research team on the outbound leg of a traverse in the vicinity of the HMP RS. Photo HMP-2007 / N. Wilkinson
A special treat for those at the HMP RS -- a talk by Chris McKay about Mars and how we might find evidence for life there. Photo HMP-2007 / N. Wilkinson
A preliminary scouting team led by Samson Simeonie and Addy Overbeek (not pictured) for the 10km EVA walkback activity. Left to right: Joseph Atchealak, Jarloo Kiguktuk, Ben Audlaluk, Jesse Weaver, Samson Simeonie, Nick Wilkinson. Photo HMP-2007 / A. Overbeeke
The HMPRS as seen from Comms Hill. Photo HMP-2007 / N. Wilkinson
